Seven people received federal prison sentences in U.S. District Court ranging from 18 months to 20 years on Friday for conspiring to manufacture and sell more than 375 pounds of methamphetamine during a two-year period.
Federal agents arrested 45 people for their roles last summer in the $17 million drug ring, which made and sold meth in North Alabama, North Georgia and Southeast Tennessee. All but one have pleaded guilty, and the rest will be sentenced in the coming months.
“This case will have a major impact on several communities” now that a significant source of locally manufactured methamphetamine is gone, Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Neff said.
Donald Henson, 38, of Bridgeport, Ala., will spend 20 years in prison for his role as the leader of the operation. Co-conspirator Joe S. Blevins received the same sentence.
According to the 98-count indictment, Mr. Henson spearheaded a “smurfing operation” in which he would send his co-conspirators to various businesses throughout the Southeast to buy ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, iodine and red phosphorous.
Mr. Henson used the chemicals to manufacture most of the meth in his home, but also contracted out the cooking process to locations in Georgia and Tennessee.
Eventually the organization made “off the books” arrangements with small convenience stores in Alabama to buy large amounts of the chemicals so law enforcement would not become suspicious.
Andrew Summers, 66, who owned Rash Grocery and Deli in Jackson County, Ala., pleaded guilty Friday to participating in the conspiracy and will spend at least five years in prison after his sentencing hearing in July.
Mr. Henson begged U.S. District Judge Leon Jordan for leniency, describing through tears how he had battled drug addiction for much of his adult life.
“Things got out of hand,” Mr. Henson said of the operation, which produced enough meth to supply 1.7 million people with a standard dose of O.1 grams each.
“Without your addiction, you would not be here today,” Judge Jordan said.
SENTENCED FRIDAY
* Donald Henson, 38, of Bridgeport, Tenn., 20 years
* Joe S. Blevins, 47, of South Pittsburg, Tenn., 20 years
* Randy Kilgore, 31, of Whitwell, Tenn., eight years
* Gwendolyn Bell, 36, of Stevenson, Ala., eight years
* John McLemore, 29, of Bridgeport, Ala., eight years
* Paul McCullough, 63, of Jasper, Tenn., five years
* Jimmy Shetters, 37, of Stevenson, Ala., 18 months
