Ladarius Blunt
Jeremy Jermaine WhatleyTwo Chattanooga men have been sentenced in Greeneville, Tenn., to serve time in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.
On Sept. 3, Ladarius Lebron Blunt, 27, was sentenced to serve 188 months; and Jeremy Jermaine Whatley, 29, was sentenced to serve 60 months, according to a news release from United States Attorney William C. Killian.
The investigation into a large-scale crack cocaine conspiracy originating in Chattanooga began in 2011. As part of the conspiracy, numerous individuals, including Blunt and Whatley, trafficked kilograms of crack cocaine to Johnson City, Tenn. for resale in private vehicles, taxi cabs, and public transportation, the release said. Upon arrival in Johnson City, the conspirators would distribute the drugs and return to Chattanooga with their proceeds to purchase additional drugs and repeat the cycle.
Many of the conspirators had ties to street gangs in Chattanooga, including the Rollin’ 60’s Crips and the Woodlawn Crips, according to the release.
The investigation involved law enforcement conducting a series of controlled drug transactions with Blunt, Watley, and other coconspirators. On two separate occasions, Blunt sold crack cocaine to individuals working with law enforcement. On two other occasions, Whatley did the same, the release said.