Federal Grand Jury Indicts Two Sevierville Residents for Fentanyl Distribution Resulting in Death of Kodak Resident

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On March 19, 2019, a federal grand jury in Knoxville returned a one-count indictment against Stacey Edward Williams, Jr., 39, of Sevierville, Tennessee, and Joshua Michael Catlett, 29, of Sevierville, Tennessee.  

The indictment, on file with the U.S. District Court, alleges that Williams and Catlett distributed a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance; acetyl fentanyl, a Schedule I controlled substance; and butyryl fentanyl, a Schedule I controlled substance, that resulted in the death of an east Tennessee resident.

Trial is set for May 28, 2019, in U.S. District Court, Knoxville. If convicted of distribution of controlled substances, Williams and Catlett each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  If the finding is that death resulted from the use of such substance, they each face 20 years to life in prison.  Additionally, each will face at least three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $1,000,000, any applicable forfeiture, and a $100 special assessment.                                                                  

The investigation and seizure of evidence was conducted by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office.  Leading up to the indictment, these organizations partnered with the Sevier County Street Crimes Unit, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Knox County Regional Forensics Center, and U.S. Marshal’s Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent N. Jones will represent the United States.  

Today, the United States faces an unprecedented drug epidemic.  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that more than 70,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2017.  Many of these deaths are attributed to the increased abuse of potent and dangerous synthetic opioids like fentanyl.  These charges are the result of investigations supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep.  This initiative seeks to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in “hot spot” areas previously identified by the Attorney General of the United States, thereby reducing drug overdoses and drug overdose deaths, and identify wholesale distribution networks and sources of supply operating nationally and internationally. Knox County, Tennessee, has been designated as one of those hot spots.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until his or her guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

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