Today Mickey Joe Griffis, 65, of Tom Bean, was sentenced to two life sentences in prison for Possession with Intent to Deliver, Heroin, 1-4 grams and Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine, 4-200 grams. Griffis was found guilty following a day and a half jury trial. Griffis elected to have a Grayson County jury determine his sentence. On Wednesday, December 13, 2017 that same jury sentenced Griffis to the maximum sentence allowed by law on both counts and the fine of $7,000.00 on each charge. The Honorable Jim Fallon presided over the three day trial in the 15th Judicial District Court. On Wednesday, August 17, 2016, Judge Fallon sentenced Griffis for his crimes and ordered him to pay the $14,000.00 fine.
Narcotics investigators with the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office began conducting surveillance on a residence in Tom Bean on January 13, 2017. The surveillance led to the development of sufficient information for a search warrant. Later the same day, a large team of law enforcement officers executed the search warrant at 106 Bois D’Arc and recovered a large cache of drug paraphernalia, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and 3 firearms. The Sheriff’s Office had information that Griffis was a convicted felon and could be armed.
During the trial the Grayson County District Attorney’s Office presented evidence seized from the residence which included hundreds of small baggies used to package narcotics, syringes, pipes, a digital scale, and several grams of heroin and over a ½ ounce of methamphetamine.
“We presented evidence and testimony which clearly led the jury to believe the defendant was involved in the distribution of narcotics and was armed with a rifle, pistol and a .12 gauge shotgun while dealing his drugs” said Assistant District Attorney Brett Smith.
During the punishment portion of the trial, Smith presented evidence to the jury that Griffis had six previous felony convictions, and four of those cases were for drug related offenses. The jury learned that Griffis had twice previously been sentenced to prison for drug offenses.
“The long sentence was, I believe, a result of the fact that this man just continued to deal drugs, and short prison sentences were not keeping him from doing that,” said Grayson County District Attorney Joe Brown. At some point, people just get tired of drug dealers who keep selling drugs and do not get the message. The system gives people resources to deal with addiction, but when you are selling, it is a different ballgame.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brett Smith with the assistance of Paralegal Sherri Williams. Griffis was represented by Sherman attorney Ron Uselton.
