Couple Sentenced to Serve Lengthy Term in Federal Prison in Methamphetamine Conspiracy and Firearm Charges

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On May 20, 2019, Greg Fessell, 47, and his wife Patricia Sciaca [Fessell], 46, of Kingsport, Tennessee, were sentenced by the Honorable J. Ronnie Greer, U.S. District Judge, for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.  Greg Fessel was sentence to serve 223 months in federal prison.  Patricia Sciaca [Fessell] was sentenced to serve 206 months in federal prison. The couple was also ordered to each pay a $340,000 money judgment, which represented the proceeds of their sale of methamphetamine.

In February 2018, agents preparing to execute a search warrant at the Fessell residence performed traffic stops on Fessell and Sciacca as they left their residence in separate vehicles.  A search of the vehicles and residence resulted in the recovery of over 500 grams of methamphetamine, 55 firearms, and $39,597 cash.  In November 2018, both pleaded guilty for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm.

The investigation into the Fessell’s drug trafficking activity was part of a broader investigation conducted by partnering local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies tasked with combatting methamphetamine distribution in the region.   Law enforcement agencies participating in the investigation included the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, Kingsport Police Department, Tennessee’s 2^nd Judicial Drug Task Force, Johnson City Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Lampe represented the United States in court proceedings.

This case was a result of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multi-level attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.            

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