GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - Two individuals involved in a methamphetamine conspiracy were sentenced on May 28, 2014, by the Honorable J. Ronnie Greer, U.S. District Judge. Randy J. Davis, 42, of Trade, Tenn., was sentenced to serve 228 months in federal prison, to be followed by eight years of supervised release, for conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine. Terrance L. Turnmire, 31, of Mountain City, Tenn., was sentenced to serve 208 months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. There is no parole in the federal system.
A total of 20 individuals, including the two sentenced today, were indicted in May 2013 for conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine and possessing equipment, chemicals, materials, and products to be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Seven others named in the indictment were also charged with distributing methamphetamine. All others in this case have been adjudicated guilty and will be sentenced later this year.
The charges came from a lengthy investigation spanning from August 2006 to May 2013 involving a conspiracy by these individuals to obtain pseudoephedrine and other products needed to manufacture methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Tennessee, Western District of North Carolina, and Western District of Virginia. The pseudoephedrine and other products were then used to manufacture methamphetamine utilizing the “shake and bake" method. The methamphetamine was used and distributed in the Eastern District of Tennessee.
Davis and Turnmire were both methamphetamine cooks. Davis admitted in his plea agreement that he had conservatively manufactured at least 35 but less than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Turnmire admitted in his plea agreement that he had conservatively manufactured at least 50 but less than 150 grams of methamphetamine and that he had distributed at least 35 but less than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine throughout the course of the conspiracy. Evidence presented during Turnmire’s sentencing hearing demonstrated that on several occasions, methamphetamine had been manufactured in Turnmire’s apartment, where he lived along with another co-defendant and their 18 month old child. The evidence presented also demonstrated that Turnmire’s apartment was within 1,000 feet of a public school.
“These significant sentences demonstrate that manufacturing methamphetamine is taken very seriously due to the inherent danger and risk involved in the process. Methamphetamine cooks have been and will continue to be aggressively prosecuted by this office to ensure that the public is protected by those who endanger the safety of our communities," said U.S. Attorney William C. Killian.
This investigation was a result of the collaborative efforts of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, 1st Judicial District Drug Task Force, Tennessee Methamphetamine and Pharmaceutical Drug Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Suzanne Kerney-Quillen and Caryn Hebets represented the United States.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
