Father, Two Sons Sentenced To A Total Of 85 Years In Prison For Involvement In Oxycodone And Money Laundering Conspiracies

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.-- Jackie Mize, 64, and his two sons, Kelvin Mize, 35, and James Mize, 40, all of Claiborne County, Tenn., were recently sentenced in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville, by the Honorable Thomas A. Varlan, U.S. District Judge. Jackie and Kelvin Mize were each sentenced to serve 30 years in prison while James Mize received a sentence of 25 years. An order of forfeiture awarding the United States a money judgment of $3M was entered as to each defendant.

The sentences were imposed after all three individuals were convicted by a jury on June 14, 2013, of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The evidence presented at trial showed that Jackie Mize, his two sons and others made regular “doctor shopping” trips to Florida over an 18-month period to acquire prescriptions for oxycodone and other controlled substances, had the prescriptions filled at pharmacies there, and used and sold the pills in and around Claiborne County. The evidence further demonstrated that the drug conspiracy involved over 75,000 oxycodone tablets and more than 25,000 doses of Xanax.

The indictment and subsequent convictions of the Mizes were the result of a lengthy investigation conducted by agents of the Eighth Judicial District Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations.

U.S. Attorney Bill Killian said, “I want to thank the agents from all of these law enforcement agencies for their tireless efforts in bringing the Mizes to justice. These lengthy sentences should demonstrate that the U. S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with its colleagues in the state judicial districts to severely punish those persons who are involved in spreading the epidemic of opiate addiction in the Eastern District of Tennessee.”

“These sentences send a clear message that drug and money laundering violations are serious crimes. IRS Criminal Investigation is proud to work with our law enforcement partners, by providing our financial investigative expertise, to stop the flow of illegal drugs into our communities,” stated Christopher A. Henry, Special Agent in Charge.