Benjamin Colby Smith Sentenced To 200 Months For Leadership Role In Methamphetamine Conspiracy

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On Jan. 25, 2016, Benjamin Colby Smith, 39, of Russellville, Tenn., was sentenced by the Honorable R. Leon Jordan, U.S. District Judge, to serve 200 months in federal prison for his leadership role in a methamphetamine conspiracy centered in the Morristown area of the Eastern District of Tennessee.  Smith obtained substantial quantities of methamphetamine from a source of supply in Georgia and redistributed it to others in and around Morristown, Tenn. 

According to Smith’s plea agreement on file with U.S. District Court, he was involved in a traffic stop in Morristown in September 2014.  This stop lead to the search of the vehicle he was driving and resulted in the seizure of approximately 45 grams of methamphetamine.  Smith was arrested and transported to jail.  While incarcerated, he made a number of calls, which were recorded.  During some of these calls, he directed Stacy Margarita Williams, 24, and Krystal Ann Sexton, 34, both of Morristown, Tenn., to travel to Georgia and meet with his methamphetamine supplier on his behalf. 

In September 2014, Williams and Sexton arrived in Georgia, met with Smith’s source and obtained methamphetamine which was to be returned to Tennessee to sell for Smith.  On the return trip to Morristown, Williams and Sexton were pulled over for a traffic stop in Georgia.  A search of their vehicle resulted in the seizure of at least approximately 51 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale and a firearm.      

Others who were charged and previously sentenced in this prosecution include Williams, Sexton and Cary Ann Winegar, 38, of Morristown, Tenn., who were sentenced to 60 months, 103 months and 97 months, in federal prison respectively. 

Law enforcement agencies participating in this investigation included the Morristown Police Department, Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office and Franklin County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Taylor represented the United States.  

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