A Bristol, Virginia man has been sentenced to 96 months in federal prison following his conviction for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Christopher M. Sullivan, aged 31, was found guilty in June on charges of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and using a communication facility in furtherance of drug trafficking.
United States Attorney C. Todd Gilbert remarked on the impact of methamphetamine in Southwest Virginia, stating: “Methamphetamine has ravaged Southwest Virginia for decades, causing cycles of addiction and misery in its wake.” He emphasized the importance of addressing the issue at its source and acknowledged the efforts of partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local agencies.
Shane K. Todd, Acting Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Washington Division, noted an increase in meth distribution in western Virginia and expressed gratitude to those involved in investigating and prosecuting Sullivan: “I want to express my gratitude to the DEA teams, USAO-WDVA litigators, and our local and state partners for their hard work.”
Court documents revealed that Sullivan conspired with inmate Christopher David Johnson from Georgia state prison. Johnson operated a large-scale meth distribution operation using smuggled cell phones from his prison cell. The evidence showed Sullivan’s involvement included distributing meth for Johnson, wiring money to Mexico under Johnson’s direction, and paying him for drugs.
Johnson received a 20-year federal sentence last December for his role in the conspiracy. Eighteen other defendants received sentences ranging from three to fifteen years.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney C. Todd Gilbert alongside Special Agent Ibrar A. Mian of the DEA Washington Division. The investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies across Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Whit Pierce and Corey Hall are leading the prosecution.
