GREENEVILLE, TN—Charles Randall Whitson, 54, of Johnson City, Tenn., was sentenced on Mar. 16, 2015, by the Honorable J. Ronnie Greer, U.S. District Court Judge, to serve 87 months in federal prison. Whitson was previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute, 280 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base (“crack”). There is no parole in the federal system.

For approximately three years, Whitson participated in a large-scale crack cocaine conspiracy. He served as a street-level distributor and facilitator, repeatedly selling crack cocaine and arranging deals for others. As part of his plea agreement on file with the U.S. District Court, Whitson admitted to being personally responsible for at least 280 grams, but less than 840 grams, of crack cocaine. Whitson often used his residence as a place from which to sell crack cocaine, and let his coconspirators do the same.

As part of the investigation, law enforcement conducted seven different controlled drug transactions with members of this conspiracy. On three of those occasions, Whitson himself sold crack cocaine to individuals working with and acting under the supervision of law enforcement agents and officers.

Two others have previously been sentenced as part of this conspiracy. Michelle Nicole Lane, 33, of Blountville, Tenn., was sentenced to serve 132 months in prison. Cedric Nickose Carr, 29, of Chattanooga, Tenn. was sentenced to serve 120 months.

This case was the product of cooperation between the Johnson City Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick Regalia represented the United States.