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Press Release

Sneedville Resident Johnny Wayne Neeley Convicted For Oxycodone Trafficking Offenses

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Tennessee

Neeley Organized Trips to Tennessee and Florida “Pill Mills”

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On Sept. 30, 2013, Johnny Wayne Neeley, 39, of Sneedeville, was convicted of conspiring to distribute oxycodone and possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, following a three-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Greeneville. Sentencing is set for 1:30 p.m., Feb. 10, 2014, in U.S. District Court in Greeneville. He faces a possible sentence of up to 40 years in federal prison and up to $2,000,000 in fines.

Neeley and 11 others were indicted on drug trafficking charges in October 2012 by a federal grand jury. According to evidence presented at trial, Neeley paid for, or “sponsored” others indicted in this conspiracy to travel on commercial airlines to pill mills in Tampa, Fla., to obtain oxycodone to distribute in the Eastern District of Tennessee. He also paid for, or “sponsored”, these individuals to travel to pill mills in the Eastern District of Tennessee to obtain oxycodone for distribution. Evidence showed that Neeley distributed controlled substances in the Eastern District of Tennessee on numerous occasions, including oxycodone, Xanax, and Suboxone.

In October 2012, Neeley and Greg Rhea, were arrested at Rhea’s residence in Morristown, where the two were barricaded inside the house in a room found to contain controlled substances, including oxycodone and oxymorphone, and three firearms.

Others charged in this indictment, who have already been convicted and are awaiting sentencing, include: Gregory Allen Rhea, 37, of Morristown; Gerald Glenn Horner, 35, of Mooresburg; Ryan Michael Guesford, of Morristown; Joey Wayne Vanover, 35, of Tazewell; Kera Leann Green, 23, of Whitesburg; Kerry Glenn Nelson, 42, of Morristown; Kimberly Ann Vanover, 37, of Tazewell; Ricky Allen “Rooster” Seal, 46, of Morristown; Tamara Michelle Moles, 44, of Mooresburg; and Ricky Tim Collins, 47, of Bean Station.

This investigation was a joint effort of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Morristown Police Department. In addition, the U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force officers, Third Judicial District Drug Task Force, and the Sheriff’s Offices of Claiborne, Grainger, Hancock, Hamblen, and Hawkins counties assisted with the October 2012 arrests. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Kerney-Quillen represented the United States.

Updated March 18, 2015