Multi-agency Investigation Leads to Guilty Pleas in Cocaine and Oxycodone Conspiracy
ABINGDON, VIRGINIA -- United States Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy announced today that seven defendants entered pleas of guilty yesterday in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Abingdon to charges involving drug distribution and firearms. These charges resulted from a cooperative investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.
“The members of this conspiracy were responsible for illegally distributing significant quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee,” United States Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy said today. “Prosecutions of substantial drug dealers like these defendants will always be the primary front in our continuing effort to combat drug abuse in this region. We must also support proven prevention and rehabilitation programs that are working to keep people off these highly addictive substances.”
Jeffrey Dale Light, 58, Gate City, Va., entered a plea of guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and oxycodone. Light faces a potential maximum sentence of 30 years imprisonment and/or a potential fine of $2,000,000.
Judy A. Light, 56, Gate City, Va., entered a plea of guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and oxycodone. Light faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and/or a potential fine of $1,000,000.
Jacob Otis Light, 27, Gate City, Va., entered a plea of guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and oxycodone. Light faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and/or a potential fine of $1,000,000.
Anthony Sloan, 26, Kingsport, Tenn., entered a plea of guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and oxycodone. Light faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and/or a potential fine of $1,000,000.
Mack Kern, 45, Gate City, Va., entered a plea of guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and oxycodone. Light faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and/or a potential fine of $1,000,000.
Kevin Dewayne Graham a.k.a. “Cheesy” 23, Kingsport, Tenn., entered a plea of guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, oxycodone, and methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Graham faces a potential maximum sentence of life imprisonment and/or a potential fine of $2,250,000. Additionally, Graham faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment.
Jeffery Scott Brewington, Jr., a.k.a. “Michigan Jeff” 29, Kingsport, Tenn., entered a plea of guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, oxycodone, and methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Brewington faces a potential maximum sentence of life imprisonment and/or a potential fine of $2,250,000. Additionally, Brewington faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment.
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea hearings 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 and Sullivan County, Tenn. from approximately 2007-2012. Kevin Graham and Jeff Brewington were suppliers of the conspiracy and delivered large quantities of cocaine, oxycodone, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances to Jeffery Dale Light, Judy Light and Jacob Light at their residence in Scott County, Va.
The Lights further distributed the controlled substances to Mack Kern, Anthony Sloan, and others who supplied addicts in Scott County, Va. and Sullivan County, Tenn. Additionally, evidence gained from the investigation demonstrated that Graham and Brewington routinely possessed firearms while distributing cocaine and oxycodone.
The Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force cooperated with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to make purchases of cocaine, oxycodone, and methamphetamine from members of the conspiracy. The Scott County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office also assisted in coordinating the investigation and prosecutions of the members of the conspiracy.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Scott County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office, Scott County, Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Sullivan County, Tennessee District Attorney’s Office, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee of the United States Attorney’s Office in Abingdon is prosecuting the case.
