Oregon Veteran Sentenced to One Day in Jail for Possession of 48.5 Pounds of Methamphetamine

A U.S. veteran, found in possession of 48.5 pounds of methamphetamine, received a one-day jail sentence and five years of supervised probation when he appeared in the Lane County District Circuit Court on Thursday.

Michael Bethel, who pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful possession of meth and cocaine, delivery of meth, felon in possession of a firearm, and criminal forfeiture, signed a condition of probation agreement to complete a Veterans Treatment Court program.

He Operated from the Free Souls Motorcycle Club in Eugene

Bethel was operating from the Free Souls Motorcycle Club in Eugene when he was caught last year. According to court records, he was returning to Oregon from California when he was caught with 44.5 pounds of meth.

Police also found another four pounds of meth, 29 grams of cocaine, drug packaging materials, and $7,500 in cash at the Free Souls Motorcycle Club in Allane Avenue, Eugene, where Bethel lived.

The Lane County District Attorney’s Office called for Bethel to be sentenced to six years and eight months in prison, adding that they had provided evidence showing that two weeks after pleading guilty to the charges, Bethel was seen selling drugs. The DA office said his sentence of five years of probation went against their recommendation.

The street value of methamphetamine fluctuates, but the Drug Enforcement Administration estimated the value of 48 pounds at $2 million in 2022.