ABINGDON, VIRGINIA -- The first two Scott County residents charged with being part of a drug distribution conspiracy that operated in Southwest Virginia were sentenced this morning in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Abingdon.

The charges resulted from a cooperative investigation by the Scott County Virginia Sheriff’s Office, the Scott County Virginia Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the United States Marshals Service.

“These defendants and others involved in the conspiracy participated in a long-term and very profitable drug distribution business in Southwest Virginia,” United States Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy said today. “The abuse of prescription drugs has become a public health crisis in far Southwest Virginia. Today’s sentences demonstrate our continuing commitment to identifying and prosecuting those who traffic in these highly addictive substances. We must also support treatment and prevention solutions as part of a fulsome approach to this vexing and persistent problem.”

Today in Federal Court, Randall Darnell, Sr., 44, of Gate City, Va. was sentenced to 60 months of federal incarceration. The defendant previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, OxyContin, and morphine. Also sentenced today was Kristi LaDuke, 37, of Gate City, Va. LaDuke received a sentence of 30 months of federal incarceration. She previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute Oxycontin.

Also charged as being part of the conspiracy but not yet sentenced were Roger Carter, 54, of Gate City, Va, who pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, methadone, oxycodone, Xanax and Lortabs, one count of possession of a sawed-off shotgun and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Carter faces a potential maximum sentence of 60 years imprisonment and a potential fine of $2,500,000. Additionally, Carter faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years imprisonment.

Dana Sue Campbell, 51, of Gate City, Va., previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, methadone, and oxycontin. Campbell faces a potential maximum sentence of 40 years imprisonment and a potential fine of $2,000,000. Additionally, Campbell faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years imprisonment.

Ron Smith, 35, of Hiltons, Va., previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute Oxycontin. Smith faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea hearings this morning by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Lee, the individuals who pleaded guilty were all involved in the distribution of controlled substances in Scott County, Virginia, from approximately 2005-2011.

Perry Roger Carter and his sister, Dana Campbell, were suppliers of the conspiracy, operating from their homes on Manville Road. The two provided large quantities of cocaine, methadone, Oxycontin and other controlled substances to other members of the conspiracy for further distribution in Scott County, Virginia and elsewhere.

A search warrant executed by law enforcement at Carter’s residence in April 2011 led to the seizure of records consistent with drug distribution, a sawed-off shotgun, and a .380 cal. pistol with an obliterated serial number.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Scott County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee of the United States Attorney’s Office in Abingdon is prosecuting the case.

 

 

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