Lewis County Man Sentenced in an 11-Member Drug Trafficking Scheme in Western Tennessee

Jackson, TN – A federal judge has sentenced a Lewis County man to more than 22 years in federal prison for his role in an organized drug trafficking scheme. William Rainey, 46, of Hohenwald, TN was the last of 11 people in western Tennessee to be sentenced in the case. United States District Court Judge S. Thomas Anderson also ordered Rainey to serve 10 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence today.

“Methamphetamine is destroying people, families, and communities throughout West Tennessee,” said United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz. “Our district will not be a haven for traffickers or for those who help them profit from pain by bringing meth and other drugs into our neighborhoods. I commend the work of our law enforcement partners in shutting down this operation and bringing these defendants to justice.”

According to information presented in court, in June of 2019 investigators learned of a drug trafficking organization operating in West Tennessee. Investigators determined Rainey was responsible for trafficking approximately 90 pounds of high purity methamphetamine, making regular trips to his supplier in Kansas until his arrest in November 2019. Rainey and 10 people who obtained and redistributed methamphetamine from him were indicted in January 2020.  Agents seized over 4 kg of methamphetamine and 29 firearms from Rainey and other defendants, some of whom were convicted felons, as part of the investigation.

On September 21, 2021, Rainey pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.  On January 30, Judge Anderson sentenced Rainey to 275 months in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. 

Additionally, each of the following co-conspirators pled guilty and were sentenced by Judge Anderson and Senior United States District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen as follows:

• Randal Tinin a/k/a "Roho", 49, Linden, TN: 168 months and 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Blake Barnett a/k/a "Duck", 34, Parsons, TN: 170 months and 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.
• Tenesha Davies, 46, Scotts Hill, TN: 114 months and 5 years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.
• Christopher Fisher, 43, Readyville, TN: 120 months and 5 years of supervised release for aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.
• Savannah Hasher, 31, Darden, TN: 51 months and 5 years supervised release for aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.
• Trista Middleton, 39, Decaturville, TN: 60 months and 4 years supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.
• Hayley Brodie, 28, Jackson, TN: 60 months and 5 years supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.
• Shannon Kelley, 44, Scotts Hill, TN: 75 months and 4 years supervised release for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
• Timothy Stanfill, 35, Huron, TN: 42 months and 4 years supervised release for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, being a drug user in possession of firearms, and unlawful possession of a firearm silencer.
• Jamie Hickman, 52, Huntingdon, TN: 156 months and 5 years supervised release for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.
• Jason Moody, 39, Lexington, TN: 160 months and 5 years supervised release for possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

This investigation was conducted as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

This case was investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force; Decatur County Sheriff’s Department; Lexington Police Department; and Selmer Police Department.

United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Gregory D. Allen and Hillary L. Parham, who prosecuted this case, as well as law enforcement partners who investigated the case.