GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – A Tennessee man has been sentenced to 200 months in federal prison for his leadership role in a methamphetamine conspiracy centered in the Morristown area of the Eastern District of Tennessee.
Benjamin Colby Smith, 39, of Russellville, Tenn., was found guilty of distributing massive quantities of methamphetamine to others in and around Morristown, Tenn. Through his network, Smith was able to obtain substantial quantities of the highly addictive substance from a source in Georgia.
According to court records, a traffic stop in Morristown in September 2014 led to the search of Smith’s vehicle and the seizure of approximately 45 grams of methamphetamine. Smith was arrested and incarcerated, but while behind bars, he continued to orchestrate his operation, directing others to obtain more methamphetamine from his supplier in Georgia.
Two associates of Smith, Stacy Margarita Williams, 24, and Krystal Ann Sexton, 34, both of Morristown, Tenn., traveled to Georgia in September 2014 to meet with Smith’s source and obtain methamphetamine. On their return trip to Morristown, Williams and Sexton were pulled over for a traffic stop in Georgia, where a search of their vehicle resulted in the seizure of at least approximately 51 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and a firearm.
Smith’s associates, Williams, Sexton, and Cary Ann Winegar, 38, of Morristown, Tenn., have all been sentenced in connection with this case. Williams received 60 months in federal prison, Sexton was sentenced to 103 months, and Winegar was given 97 months.
The investigation into Smith’s operation involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Morristown Police Department, Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office, and Franklin County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Taylor represented the United States in the case.
Smith’s sentencing brings an end to a lengthy and complex investigation into a major methamphetamine ring in the Morristown area. The case highlights the ongoing struggle to combat the threat of methamphetamine distribution in the United States.
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Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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