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Meth Ring Busted: 21 Indicted in SW Virginia
ABINGDON, VA – Twenty-one individuals are facing federal charges after a grand jury indictment unsealed today revealed a large-scale methamphetamine distribution network operating in Wise and Lee counties, Southwest Virginia. The bust, announced by United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen, represents a significant blow to drug trafficking in the region, but the streets are far from clean.
The indictment, secretly returned on May 29, 2019, came to light following the arrests of five suspects. Authorities are still hunting for four remaining defendants. The charges center around a conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine – a quantity that speaks to a well-established operation, not some small-time dealing. This isn’t just about possession; this is about a network actively pushing poison into our communities.
Travis Lee Pennington, 36, of Appalachia, Va., faces the most extensive list of charges. He’s accused of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, three counts of distribution and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of using a communication device in the commission of a drug trafficking offense, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, one count of being a convicted felon illegally in possession of a firearm, one count of possessing a firearm with an altered serial number, and a chilling charge of using violence or the threat of violence to retaliate against a witness. This suggests a willingness to silence anyone who gets in their way.
Also indicted are Omar Kareem Banks, 44, of Coeburn, Va., charged with conspiracy, distribution, firearm possession in furtherance of drug trafficking, and being a convicted felon illegally possessing a firearm; Shawn Brandon Barnes, 40, of Appalachia, Va., facing conspiracy, two counts of distribution, and communication device charges; Jeffrey Wayne Caudill, 47, of Keokee, Va., charged with conspiracy; Jaime Lee Christian, 39, of Wise County, Va., charged with conspiracy and distribution; Carl Lee Davis Jr., 33, of Keokee, Va., charged with conspiracy and firearm possession; Jonathan Earl Funk, 32, of Wise County, Va., charged with conspiracy; Lewis Wesley Hickman III, 25, of Wise County, Va., charged with conspiracy, distribution, and firearm possession; and Joseph Andrew Hobbs, 27, of Wise County, Va., charged with conspiracy, distribution, and firearm possession.
The list continues with James Morrison Johnson, 28, of Wise County, Va., charged with conspiracy and distribution. The sheer number of individuals involved highlights the deeply rooted nature of this operation. The feds aren’t releasing the names of the remaining defendants at this time, likely due to the ongoing hunt.
This indictment is a start, but it’s only a piece of the puzzle. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and expose the individuals profiting from the misery of others. The streets of Wise and Lee counties may look a little quieter for now, but we’ll be watching to see who steps up to fill the void. The war on drugs is far from over, and in places like Southwest Virginia, the battle rages on.
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Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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