Rochester man sentenced to prison for methamphetamine trafficking

ROCHESTER, Minnesota (KTTC) – Panh Thavong, 51, was sentenced in U.S. District Court Friday for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the Rochester area.

According to court documents, the investigation into Thavong began in July 2022, shortly after he was released early from prison for previous drug offenses.

Until December 2022, Thavong was involved in the distribution of methamphetamines in the greater Rochester area.

Over the course of a months-long investigation, law enforcement identified locations and vehicles used by Thavong to distribute. Officers executed search warrants at those locations and seized over 34 kilograms of methamphetamine: 3.5 kilograms from a stash, 4.5 kilograms from a rental property, and 26 kilograms from a vehicle.

As part of his guilty plea, Thavong admitted that the substances found were intended for distribution.

On July 20, 2023, Thavong pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced on Monday to 240 months or 20 years in prison, followed by five years of probation.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Task Force, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Olmsted County Sheriff's Office, Fillmore County Sheriff's Office, Rochester Police Department and Red Wing Police Department.

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