Bristol, Tennessee Man Sentenced on Meth, Firearms Charges

ABINGDON, Va. – A Bristol, Tennessee man who conspired with others, including a man incarcerated in Georgia, to distribute multiple kilograms of methamphetamine was sentenced last week to 180 months in federal prison.

Michael Paul Brown, 39, pled guilty in November 2023 to one count of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents, beginning in July 2022, Brown conspired with Christopher David Johnson and others to traffic and distribute multiple kilograms of methamphetamine from Georgia into Southwest Virginia. At the time, Johnson was incarcerated in Georgia and used multiple cell phones to direct the methamphetamine distribution operation from prison.

In general, Johnson coordinated with Brown regarding travel from Virginia to Georgia to meet with individuals to collect kilograms of methamphetamine. During the conspiracy, Brown routinely carried a handgun to protect himself, his drugs, and his money.

Once Brown arrived back in Virginia with methamphetamine, he would then distribute it to wholesale distributors who would then distribute the methamphetamine further.

U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Jared Forget, Special Agent in Charge of Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division made the announcement.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and multiple law enforcement agencies in Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia investigated the case, including the Bristol Tennessee Police Department, Bristol Virginia Police Department, and Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office – 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Corey Hall and Whit Pierce are prosecuting the case.