Randall Michael Lawson Sentenced to 216 Months in Prison and Lifetime Supervision on Narcotics, Firearms, Money Laundering, and Social Security Fraud Convictions

GREENEVILLE, TN—Randall Michael Lawson, 58, of Limestone, Tennessee, was sentenced on November 6, 2013, to serve 216 months in prison, followed by lifetime of supervised release, by the Honorable J. Ronnie Greer, U.S. District Judge. Lawson was also ordered to pay restitution to the Social Security Administration in the amount of $10,784.16; forfeit two firearms; and pay a $3 million judgment to the United States.

Lawson pleaded guilty in August 2012 to a federal indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana; conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; conspiracy to commit money laundering; Social Security fraud; and being a felon in possession of firearms.

Lawson admitted to conspiring to distribute approximately 14,400 pounds, or 6,545 kilograms, of marijuana and 24 kilograms of cocaine between December 2002 and December 2010. Additionally, in a related case, Lawson was convicted in North Carolina of possessing two firearms after having been convicted of a prior felony offense.

As a result of this investigation, several other individuals have been convicted and sentenced for their involvement in the drug conspiracies.

On April 25, 2013, Michael L. Dykes, 51, of Rogersville, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 37 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. Dykes was allowed to remain on bond until reporting to the Bureau of Prisons to serve his sentence. He pleaded guilty in January 2013 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone pills.

On April 16, 2013, Lorne L. Loucel, 32, of Rogersville, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 108 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Loucel pleaded guilty in December 2012 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone pills.

On April 16, 2013, Daniel L. Dykes, 29, of Rogersville, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 37 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Dykes pleaded guilty in December 2012 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone pills.

On April 2, 2013, Christy D. Dykes, 32, of Rogersville, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 40 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Dykes pleaded guilty in November 2012 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone pills.

On March 21, 2013, Christy R. Seay, 39, of Greeneville, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 57 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Seay pleaded guilty in September 2012 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone pills.

On March 11, 2013, Ella Maria Camacho Garcia, 30, of Burlington, North Carolina, was sentenced to serve 78 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. Garcia pleaded guilty in August 2012 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana and a conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine. Garcia also pleaded guilty to money laundering and received a money judgment in the amount of $815,000.00.

On March 7, 2013, Jonathan L. Light, 24, of Kingsport, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 84 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Light pleaded guilty in August 2012 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone pills.

On March 7, 2013, Levi D. Love, 24, of Kingsport, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 37 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Love was allowed to remain on bond until reporting to the Bureau of Prisons to serve his sentence. Love pleaded guilty in August 2012 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone pills.

On March 4, 2013, Charles Thomas Laing, 30, of Rogersville, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 157 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release. Laing pleaded guilty in September 2011, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone pills, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and money laundering.

On February 28, 2013, Jessica R. Bernard, 23, of Greeneville, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 37 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Bernard pleaded guilty in September 2012 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone pills.

On February 28, 2013, Amanda D. Bernard, 23, of Afton, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 37 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Bernard pleaded guilty in August 2012 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone pills.

On February 26, 2013, Shandeeda M. Compton, 31, of Rogersville, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 63 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Compton pleaded guilty in October 2012 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone pills.

On February 25, 2013, Brock A. Lawson, 26, of Rogersville, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 118 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Lawson pleaded guilty in July 2012 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana.

On April 25, 2013, James Light, 65, of Rogersville, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 150 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release. Light pleaded guilty in December 2012 to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone.

On April 25, 2013, Michael L. Dykes, of Rogersville, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 37 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. Dykes pleaded guilty in January 2013 to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 55 kilograms or more of marijuana and a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone.

On April 30, 2013, Jeremy R. Light, of Rogersville, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 57 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Light pled guilty on January 3, 2013 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone.

On April 30, 2013, Michael B. Dykes, of Rogersville, Tennessee, was sentenced to 30 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Dykes pleaded guilty in January 2013 conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone.

On July 23, 2013, Jackie D. Dykes, of Rogersville, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 80 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Dykes pleaded guilty in December 2012 conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 55 kilograms or more of marijuana and a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone.

On August 5, 2013, James H. McMurray, Jr., of Blountville, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release. McMurray pleaded guilty in April 2013 to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana and money laundering.

On August 5, 2013, Michael Lee Lawson, of Rogersville, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 70 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release. Lawson pleaded guilty in April 2013 to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.

On October 16, 2013, Parrie Christine Hudgins, of Kingsport, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 87 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Lawson pleaded guilty in April 2013 to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana and a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone.

The indictment and subsequent conviction of Light and other co-conspirators was the result of a three-year investigation conducted by the Hawkins County Tennessee Sheriff’s Department; Sullivan County Tennessee Sheriff’s Department; Greene County Tennessee Sheriff’s Department; Second Judicial Drug Task Force; Kingsport, Tennessee, Police Department; Third Judicial Drug Task Force; Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Social Security Administration; and Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn L. Hebets represented the United States.