JONATHAN TURLEY

Can You Guess What This Person Was Charged With?

Meth dealer. In a twist that is reminiscent of “Breaking Bad,” Tuscaloosa defense attorney John Fisher Jr. was arrested last week and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine.

Police say Fisher, 48, worked with Christopher Shane Rushing, 42, to operate a “one-pot” meth lab operation. The West Alabama Narcotics Task Force seized 369 grams of meth oil.

The police followed a tip and tracked what they believed as a backpack containing items believed to be components of a methamphetamine lab to an unreleased location. The backpack was then picked up by a second man. That man then went to an office located in the 1600 block of Greensboro Avenue in Tuscaloosa. Fisher’s law office is located at 1609 Greensboro Avenue. They then saw the first man arrive at the office and walk out with the same backpack. They arrested both Fisher and Rushing. Later they found what police described as an active “one-pot” meth lab in one of their cars.

Fisher posted the $250,000 bond, but Rushing remains in jail under the same bond.
Fisher earned his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1997 and is a general practitioner, including criminal defense. He received his B.A. from Columbus State University, Columbus, GA, in 1990. His bio states ” John Fisher is also very active in the Tuscaloosa community. He is a Deacon and Member of Calvary Baptist Church, host of The John Fisher Radio Show, and a guest lecturer at University of Alabama, just to name a few.” He is also a former candidate for the state legislature. He ran as a conservative with Tea Party support and was photographed on the side of controversial Alabama Justice Roy Moore.

We have not heard Fisher’s side of this arrest. Fisher may claim that Rushing is a client and that this was evidence, but it is not clear whose car contained the meth pot. Moreover, absent an effort to turn over evidence to police or prosecutors, the holding of criminal components is not something that is likely to convince a court. Conversely, it may be argued that he was working with Rushing to shutdown his operation. However, again, the possession of such material is problematic for a lawyer. As a conservative radio host, Fisher promised “Plain Talk, Easily Understood with NO Political Correctness.” This may be his greatest challenge yet.