Seven More Sentenced for Roles in Meth Conspiracy Tied to Officer’s Murder

Press Release

The Defendants Conspired with Michael White and Others to Distribute Methamphetamine

ABINGDON, Va. - Seven more defendants who participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine tied to the murder of Big Stone Gap, Virginia Police Officer Michael Chandler, were sentenced this week in federal court.

Misty Lynn Ward, 36, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia, Anthony Holmes, 39, of Appalachia, Virginia, and Keri Leanna Corbin, 44, of Jonesville, Virginia were all sentenced yesterday. Holmes was sentenced to 130 months, Ward to 30 months, and Corbin to time served- 24 months and 19 days for their respective roles in the conspiracy.

Kacie Lynn Werner, 43, of Big Stone Gap, Amanda Blanton, 42, of Big Stone Gap, Lucille Vanover, 33, of Kingsport, Tennessee, and Tiny Westmoreland, 47, of Big Stone Gap, were sentenced earlier this week. Werner was sentenced to 36 months, Blanton to 36 months, Westmoreland was sentenced to 60 months, and Vanover was sentenced to time served, 24 months and 17 days.

Previously sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy were: 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; Tyler Lee Westmoreland - 54 months, Hailee Dietz and Paul Jones, were each sentenced to 121 months; and James Ray Worley - 120 months.

A total of 19 defendants were charged for conspiring to distribute more than 15 kilograms of methamphetamine, as well as heroin and fentanyl. According to court documents, beginning in August 2021 and continuing until their arrest, the 19 defendants participated in a conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine from Tennessee and other states into southwest Virginia, and then further distribute it throughout Wise County, Virginia.

Tragically, at approximately 4:00 a.m. on November 13, 2021, Officer Chandler responded to a welfare check call at 2505 Orr Street in Big Stone Gap, known locally as "the red house." Upon arriving at the Orr Street address, Officer Chandler encountered a vehicle outside the residence and was immediately shot by Michael Donivan White. Officer Chandler died later that evening from his injuries. White was later located at a motel in Kingsport, Tennessee, and a subsequent search of the motel room revealed a Taurus, 9mm pistol. Further testing ultimately proved this firearm to be the same one that fired the shots that killed Officer Chandler. Michael Donivan White was indicted on federal and state charges for killing Officer Chandler and has since pled guilty in both cases. White is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court in Abingdon on February 20-21, 2024.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanagh, and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Virginia State Police, the United States Marshal's Service, the Wise County Sheriff's Office, the City of Norton Virginia Police Department, the Kingsport Tennessee Police Department, the Big Stone Gap Police Department, the Wise County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, the East Tennessee Drug Task Force, and the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force, which is comprised of investigators from the Virginia State Police, Lee County Sheriff's Office, Scott County Sheriff's Office, Wise County Sheriff's Office, City of Norton Police Department, and Big Stone Gap Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lena L. Busscher and Danielle Stone are prosecuting the case.

Updated November 15, 2024