Robert L. Rose Sentenced to 295 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On March 13, 2018, Robert L. Rose, 65, of Knoxville, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve a total of 295 months in prison by the Honorable Pamela L. Reeves, U.S. District Judge.  Upon his release, Rose will be under the supervision of U.S. Probation for five years. 

Rose pleaded guilty in October 2017 to a federal grand jury indictment charging him with a conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

As a result of this investigation, several other individuals have been convicted and sentenced for their involvement in the drug conspiracy. 

Brandon S. Hill, 42, of Knoxville, Tennessee, was sentenced on November 20, 2017, to serve 115 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.  Hill pleaded guilty in July 2017 to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

Ruth Ann Oliver, 42, of Kodak, Tennessee, was sentenced on December 14, 2017, to serve 92 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release.  Oliver pleaded guilty in June 2017 to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Bobby R. Leach, 52, of Blaine, Tennessee, was sentenced on November 20, 2017, to serve 151 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.  Leach pleaded guilty in July 2017 to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Melvin L. Swiney, 38, of Rutledge, Tennessee, was sentenced on November 9, 2017, to serve 138 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.  Swiney pleaded guilty in July 2017 to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

Kevin R. Addington, 47, of Wise, Virginia, was sentenced on November 8, 2017, to serve 144 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.  Addington pleaded guilty in June 2017 to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

John R. Elrod, 55, of Talbott, Tennessee, was sentenced on November 28, 2017, to serve 120 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.  Elrod pleaded guilty in July 2017 to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. 

William A. Dyer, 49, of Knoxville, Tennessee, was sentenced on November 8, 2017, to serve 151 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.  Dyer pleaded guilty in June 2017 to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Melissa D. Coffey, 45, of Rutledge, Tennessee, was sentenced on February 8, 2018, to serve 102 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.  Melissa Coffey pleaded guilty in July 2017 to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Tiffany N. Coffey, 23, of Morristown, Tennessee, was sentenced on November 29, 2017, to serve 120 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.  Tiffany Coffey pleaded guilty in July 2017, to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

The indictment and subsequent conviction of Rose and other co-conspirators was the result of a three-year investigation conducted by the Bean Station Police Department, Grainger County Sheriff’s Office, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Knoxville Police Department, Tennessee 4^th Judicial Drug Task Force, Southwest Virginia Narcotics Task Force, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn L. Hebets represented the United States.

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