A Wise County man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to drug distribution and firearms charges. Michael Wynn Whitaker Jr., 45, admitted to conspiring to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, distributing methamphetamine, and illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.
Court documents show that from January 2023 through September 2024, Whitaker played a central role in distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine in Wise County, Virginia. He regularly traveled with co-conspirators to West Virginia to purchase quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl for further distribution in Southwest Virginia. In addition, he made at least 25 trips to Kentucky where he acquired methamphetamine for the same purpose.
Despite his status as a convicted felon, Whitaker kept firearms at his residence where much of the drug activity occurred.
Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; announced the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Wise County Sheriff’s Office, and Southwest Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lena Busscher and Danielle Stone prosecuted the case.
