Seven individuals have been sentenced in connection with a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy linked to the murder of Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler. The sentences were handed down this week in federal court.
Misty Lynn Ward, Anthony Holmes, and Keri Leanna Corbin received sentences for their involvement in the conspiracy. Holmes was sentenced to 130 months, Ward to 30 months, and Corbin to time served—24 months and 19 days.
Earlier this week, Kacie Lynn Werner, Amanda Blanton, Lucille Vanover, and Tiny Westmoreland were also sentenced. Werner and Blanton each received 36-month sentences; Westmoreland was sentenced to 60 months, while Vanover received time served—24 months and 17 days.
Previously convicted participants include Timothy Ray Jones (235 months), Charles Ryan Bowman (120 months), Elicia Amber Burns (172 months), James Brian Mullins (180 months), Justin Dwayne Skaggs (132 months), Tyler Lee Westmoreland (54 months), Hailee Dietz (121 months), Paul Jones (121 months), and James Ray Worley (120 months).
In total, 19 defendants faced charges for conspiring to distribute over 15 kilograms of methamphetamine along with heroin and fentanyl. Court documents reveal that from August 2021 until their arrest, these individuals trafficked drugs from Tennessee into southwest Virginia for further distribution within Wise County.
Officer Chandler's murder occurred on November 13, 2021. Responding to a welfare check at "the red house" on Orr Street in Big Stone Gap at around 4:00 a.m., he encountered a vehicle outside the residence where he was shot by Michael Donivan White. Officer Chandler succumbed to his injuries later that day. White was apprehended at a Kingsport motel where evidence linked him to the crime. He has pled guilty to both federal and state charges related to Officer Chandler's death and is scheduled for sentencing on February 20-21, 2024.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanagh alongside Anthony A. Spotswood from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case involved multiple law enforcement agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Virginia State Police; United States Marshal’s Service; Wise County Sheriff’s Office; City of Norton Virginia Police Department; Kingsport Tennessee Police Department; Big Stone Gap Police Department; Wise County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office; East Tennessee Drug Task Force; Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force among others.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lena L. Busscher and Danielle Stone are handling prosecution duties.