13-person meth case ends with sentencing

Friday, January 1, 1904

Sentences imposed in federal methamphetamine case• Adam Maurice Hunnicutt -- 20 years• Patricia Ann West -- 20 years• Jerry Lawson -- 10 years• Tanya Lynette Mitchell -- 10 years• Rodney Edward Simerley -- 10 years• Frank Dustin Utt -- 10 years• Christopher Farrior -- 9 years, 2 months• Anthony Wayne Holcomb -- 9 years• William Bradley Dupree -- 5 years, 10 months• Mary Revels -- 4 years, 4 months• Sheena Wenone Oliver -- 3 years, 10 months• Elijah Belle Deyhle -- 3 years, 1 month• Deborah Haley -- 3 years, 1 month• Amanda West -- 3 years, 1 monthSource: U.S. District Court

A federal judge has sentenced the final defendant of 13 charged in a methamphetamine manufacturing conspiracy in which meth-related chemicals were collected from Atlanta to Knoxville, then cooked in a Lookout Mountain home and other Chattanooga locations.

On Friday, Chief U.S. District Judge Curtis Collier sentenced Mary Revels, 60, to four years and four months in prison for her role in the conspiracy. Revels provided her 510 Castlewood Trail home in the Mountain Shadows subdivision for meth cooking in exchange for the drug and financed purchases of chemicals needed for cooking.

The home will be forfeited to the federal government for its use in the drug operation.

During the hearing, Revels broke down sobbing and wailing, saying, "I can't take this anymore. I'm tired, I'm exhausted, I've been dealing with this for two years."

All 13 co-defendants pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to manufacture meth in exchange for other charges in the 15-count indictment being dismissed.

Adam Maurice "Cutt" Hunnicutt and Patricia Ann West were given the most prison time in the case, sentenced Thursday to 20 years each.

Hunnicutt was given the mandatory minimum for his role in recruiting and directing other co-defendants in "smurfing" from March 2006 until July 2010.

Smurfing is a slang term for using meth users to purchase pseudoephedrine, the main chemical required to make meth, from multiple locations, then taking the legal drug, commonly found in cold and allergy medications, to a cook for processing.

Hunnicutt faced a sentence of 20 years to life because of his previous federal conviction of meth manufacture, according to court documents.

Federal prosecutor Jay Woods declined comment on the case.

Martin Levitt, who represented Revels along with co-defendant Leslie Cory, told Collier that he'd known Revels for 36 years and she is easily taken advantage of, which is why she ended up in the drug case.

Throughout the lengthy sentencing hearing, Cory pointed to the influence of co-defendant Deborah Haley on Revels. Cory showed instances in which Haley used Revel's credit card, vehicle and checks to make meth-related purchases.

"[Haley] is clearly more culpable in this conspiracy than Mary Revels," Cory told Collier.

Haley received a sentence of three years and one month for her involvement in the drug-making operation. She also cooperated extensively with prosecutors.

Revels received some relief when Collier allowed a reduction in her prison time after testimony that showed she suffered from severe depression, which may have driven her decision-making.