Tim Smith, Crystal Williams, Misty Potter, Doug Gaskins, Conspiracy to Manufacture Methamphetamine, Tennessee 2013

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – In a major blow to the methamphetamine trade in Erwin, Tenn., four individuals were sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy to manufacture the highly addictive drug.

On Oct. 23, 2013, Tim Smith, 29, was sentenced to serve 92 months in prison, while Crystal Williams, 40, will spend 90 months behind bars. Misty Potter, 36, received a 66-month sentence, and Doug Gaskins, 53, will serve 54 months in prison.

The four defendants pleaded guilty to a March 2013 federal indictment that charged a total of 25 individuals with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. The indictment was the result of an ongoing and collaborative investigation conducted by the Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Erwin Police Department, First Judicial District Drug Task Force, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and Drug Enforcement Administration.

The investigation uncovered a network of associates who relied on coordinated efforts to procure methamphetamine precursors, which they then used to make the drug using a “shake and bake” manufacturing method. The methamphetamine was being distributed both for profit and for use by people within the conspiracy.

Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Christian Lampe represented the United States in the case. U.S. Attorney Bill Killian commended the hard work and joint cooperation of the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation.

“I appreciate the efforts of all the law enforcement agencies coming together to rid this community of a large number of methamphetamine makers and users,” Killian said.

The investigation and subsequent convictions are a major victory in the fight against methamphetamine in Unicoi County. The sentences handed down to Smith, Williams, Potter, and Gaskins serve as a warning to others involved in the methamphetamine trade.

“This cooperative effort has dramatically reduced the overall drug problem in Unicoi County. We hope that these harsh sentences will serve as a deterrent for other individuals that are involved with manufacturing methamphetamine,” said Sheriff Mike Hensley.

The case is a reminder that law enforcement agencies can and will work together to bring down methamphetamine rings and keep communities safe.

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