Michael Donivan White has been sentenced to 100 years in federal prison for charges related to the murder of Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler and involvement in a drug conspiracy. The sentencing took place at the U.S. District Court in Abingdon, Virginia.
White, aged 36 and from South Carolina, pleaded guilty to eight counts, including causing death using a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and several drug-related offenses. He was also charged with possession of firearms by a convicted felon and other related crimes.
Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee stated, "Today in U.S. District Court in Abingdon, Michael White was sentenced to spend the next 100 years of his life in federal prison for murdering Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler." He expressed hope that the sentence would bring some closure to Officer Chandler's family and colleagues.
Attorney General Jason Miyares commented on the impact of Officer Chandler's death: "We can never bring Officer Michael Chandler back, and no sentence will ever fill the void left in the hearts of his family, friends, law enforcement community, and the Big Stone Gap community." He commended law enforcement agencies involved for their work on this case.
Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Hanley of Virginia State Police noted their role in bringing White to justice: “Virginia State Police is pleased to have been able to help bring Michael White to justice and provide some closure to the family and friends of Officer Michael Chandler.”
The investigation revealed that White was part of a conspiracy involving methamphetamine distribution starting from August 2021. On November 13, 2021, Officer Chandler responded to a dispatch call at "the red house" on Orr Street where he encountered White who subsequently shot him with a Taurus 9mm pistol. Despite medical efforts, Officer Chandler succumbed to his injuries later that day.
The investigation was conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies including ATF Washington Field Division whose Special Agent Anthony Spotswood stated: “We offer our deepest sympathies... It is also our hope that this sends a clear message of accountability.”
White was apprehended at a motel in Kingsport, Tennessee where authorities found evidence linking him directly to the crime scene through ballistic testing on the firearm used.
The prosecution team included Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lena L. Busscher and Danielle Stone.