Meth dealer to get 10 years in prison
By JARED STRONG
A 55-year-old Grand Junction man who was profiting about $9,000 per month from selling methamphetamine last year faces up to 10 years in prison as part of a plea deal with prosecutors, according to court records.
Jerry Dean Barker pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge this week. He is set to be sentenced in March.
Barker initially faced three felonies for dealing drugs and possessing firearms that together were punishable by up to 35 years in prison.
Law officers searched Barker’s house in Grand Junction in September after one of his customers was caught with meth and gave the officers information about Barker in exchange for a lighter punishment.
The informant said Barker was selling at least 3 ounces of meth each week for the prior five months. Officers estimated his profits to be about $45,000 in that period of time, court records show.
In the Sept. 21 search of Barker’s house at 705 Main St. East, officers found nearly five ounces of meth, about $1,200 cash and a rifle, according to court records.
Barker admitted the meth was his. He was first arrested for selling drugs in 1996.
He pleaded guilty Monday to possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine.
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