Following a four-day trial in U.S. District Court here, a jury last week convicted Bobby Joe Ambrose, also known as Joey Ambrose, of Erwin, and Leslie R. Beals, of Elizabethton, of multiple offenses.

A news release issued by U.S. Attorney Russ Dedrick said the pair was convicted of:

* conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine;

* conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine; and

* possessing the chemicals, equipment, and products necessary to manufacture methamphetamine.

In addition, Ambrose was convicted of maintaining a residence for the use, distribution, and manufacture of methamphetamine; possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Sentencing is set for 1 p.m. on Aug. 19 here.

Ambrose and Beals face a sentence of at least a mandatory term of imprisonment of 10 years up to the possibility of life on both conspiracy offenses, a sentence of not more than 10 years for the possession of the chemicals, equipment, and products necessary to manufacture methamphetamine.

Ambrose faces an additional possibility of not more than 20 years for maintaining a residence for the use, distribution, and manufacture of methamphetamine, and not more than 10 years for the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Ambrose will also be sentenced to five years for the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, which, by statute, will be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed, the news release said.

According to evidence presented at trial, a federal investigation into a methamphetamine manufacturing and distribution organization operating in the Northeast area of Tennessee began in January of 2008 when officers with the Kingsport Police Department discovered a methamphetamine lab at the Hobbs Manor Mobile Trailer Park in Kingsport.

During the investigation, agents linked this lab to a methamphetamine lab which had exploded and caught fire earlier in January in Gray.

Members of this organization were arrested in Carter County, Tennessee, where agents with Carter County Sheriff's Department and the 1 Judicial Drug Task Force discovered additional methamphetamine labs which had been operating at two houses on Idlewylde Circle in Johnson City.

In March of 2008, Washington County Sheriff's Officers discovered a methamphetamine lab at a residence on M. Tucker Road. Beals and other members of the organization were arrested at that location.

In April of 2008, Unicoi County Sheriff's Officers and officers with the Erwin Police Department searched Ambrose's garage on Union Street in Erwin.

Agents discovered a .22 caliber handgun and components used in the manufacture of methamphetamine at that location, the news release said.

Multiple co-conspirators testified during the trial regarding the purchase of hundreds of boxes of cold medication containing pseudoephedrine, which was then used to manufacture methamphetamine.

Co-conspirators identified Ambrose as a methamphetamine cook who had engaged in at least four methamphetamine cooks during the conspiracy, the news release said.

Co-conspirators also identified Ambrose as a source of methamphetamine which he would sell for money and would trade in exchange for boxes of pseudoephedrine.