Meth Ring Busted

⏱ 2 min read

In a months-long conspiracy, three defendants – Danny Trotter, 51, Carla Stout, 38, and Randi Black, 40 – distributed hundreds of grams of methamphetamine in Henry and Carroll counties, Tennessee. The scheme, which involved controlled purchases, traffic stops, and search warrants, ended with the defendants pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine. The investigation, which took place over several months, was led by the 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Following their guilty pleas, United States District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced the defendants to federal prison. Danny Trotter received 120 months, Carla Stout received 168 months, and Randi Black received 72 months, all with five years of supervised release. The sentences reflect the severity of the crime and the defendants’ history of distributing methamphetamine.

The case highlights the ongoing issue of methamphetamine distribution in rural Tennessee communities. According to U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant, ‘Drug trafficking offenses are at the root of some of the gravest problems facing our country.’ The investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combatting drug trafficking and protecting communities.

The investigation was led by the 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force, with assistance from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.