The final defendant involved in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy linked to the murder of Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler has been sentenced. Brian Carroll, 43, from Big Stone Gap, Virginia, received a sentence of 108 months in federal court.
Several other individuals had previously been sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy: 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), Anthony Curtis Steven Holmes (130 months), Tyler Lee Westmoreland (54 months), Hailee Dietz and Paul Jones (each 121 months), James Ray Worley (120 months), Kacie Lynn Werner and Amanda Nicole Blanton (36 months each), Lucille Vanover (24 months and 17 days), Christopher Adam Dewayne Bates (78 months), Misty Lynn Ward (30 months), Keri Leann Corbin (24 months and 19 days) and Tiny Westmoreland (60 months).
Michael White was sentenced to 100 years for the murder of Officer Chandler during the drug conspiracy. In total, 19 defendants were charged with conspiring to distribute over 15 kilograms of methamphetamine along with heroin and fentanyl. The conspiracy began in August 2021 and continued until their arrests, involving trafficking methamphetamine from Tennessee into southwest Virginia for further distribution throughout Wise County.
Officer Chandler responded to a welfare check call at "the red house" on Orr Street in Big Stone Gap on November 13, 2021. Upon arrival, 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 found at a motel in Kingsport, Tennessee; the firearm used in the shooting was discovered there. White pled guilty to both federal and state charges related to Officer Chandler's murder and received a combined sentence of 100 years.
Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee and Anthony A. Spotswood from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced these developments.
The investigation involved multiple 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 comprising investigators from various local law enforcement offices.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lena L. Busscher and Danielle Stone are handling prosecution duties for this case.