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Press Release

Jury Convicts Four Defendants of Conspiracy Charges Related to Drug Trafficking

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Virginia
Richard Kayian, Tracy Callihan, John Williams, and Rebecca Williams convicted of multiple charges resulting from Operation Leaving Las Vegas

Abingdon, VIRGINIA – United States Attorney Rick Mountcastle announced today that following a seven day trial, a jury sitting in Abingdon, Virginia convicted four defendants of multiple charges related to the large scale distribution of methamphetamine, oxycodone, and buprenorphine.  Richard Kayian, 55, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Tracy Callihan, 48, Glade Spring, Virginia, were both convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and oxycodone and to use a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking offense, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. John Williams, 50, Glade Spring, Virginia, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to use a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.  Rebecca Williams, 51, Abingdon, Virginia, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, oxycodone, and buprenorphine, and to use a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking offense. 

 

In late 2016, law enforcement agencies, led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration, and assisted by agencies from across southwest Virginia and Las Vegas, Nevada, charged 32 individuals with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, oxycodone, and buprenorphine. The investigation, Operation Leaving Las Vegas, accused 32 individuals of trafficking methamphetamine, oxycodone, and buprenorphine from Las Vegas into Southwest Virginia, Eastern Kentucky and elsewhere.  Evidence presented at the trial demonstrated that Kayian was responsible for sending large quantities of methamphetamine and oxycodone via UPS and Federal Express to numerous locations in Abingdon, Virginia and Glade Spring, Virginia.  These drugs were then distributed throughout the area and in Eastern Kentucky by Tracy Callihan, Rebecca Williams, and others.  Evidence also showed that John Williams, formerly employed as a delivery driver for UPS, assisted the organization by ensuring that packages of methamphetamine and oxycodone were safely delivered to Tracy Callihan in Glade Springs and were not intercepted by law enforcement.  Additionally, evidence at the trial demonstrated that more than $1,000,000 in proceeds from the drug sales in the Abingdon area were sent via wire transfers and bank deposits to Kayian and others in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

 

Sentencing hearings for Richard Kayian and Tracy Callihan have been set for February 27, 2018.  Kayian and Callihan each face punishment of up to life imprisonment and $12,000,000.00 in fines.  The sentencing hearing for Rebecca Williams has been set for February 28, 2018 and she faces punishment of up to twenty years imprisonment and fines of up to $1,000,000.  The sentencing hearing for John Williams has been set for February 12, 2018, and he faces punishment of up to four years imprisonment and fines of up to $250,000.00.

 

To date, 30 of the 32 charged have been convicted of federal drug conspiracy and money laundering charges and 23 defendants have been sentenced.  The cases for the remaining defendants are working their way through the federal court system.  Throughout the course of the investigation, more than $60,000.00 has been forfeited.  Those previously sentenced are:

 

  1. Brandon Lee Stone, 33, Abingdon, Virginia – 300 months imprisonment
  2. Misael Reyes Tajimaroa, 32, Spokane, Washington – 192 months imprisonment
  3. Bradley Lee Chapman, 28, Bristol, Virginia -  135 months imprisonment
  4. Heather Michelle Sullins, 27, Abingdon, Virginia – 30 months imprisonment
  5. Alex Michael Kayian, 23, Bristol, Virginia - 72 months imprisonment
  6. Kaitlynn Elizabeth Chapman, 24, Bristol, Virginia - 72 months imprisonment
  7. Ralph Stewart Dingus, 27, Abingdon, Virginia - 37 months imprisonment
  8. John Dewayne Farmer, 32, Abingdon, Virginia - 240 months imprisonment
  9. Lola Virginia Farmer, 52, Abingdon, Virginia - 87 months imprisonment
  10. Shauna Nicole Chafin, 36, Abingdon, Virginia - 97 months imprisonment
  11. William Wesley Fleenor, 29, Abingdon, Virginia - 79 months imprisonment
  12. Jeffrey Nathaniel Gobble, 25, Abingdon, Virginia - 46 months imprisonment
  13. Preston Kyle Lawson, 21, Abingdon, Virginia - 46 months imprisonment
  14. Gary Ginn, 47, Clay City, Kentucky - 151 months imprisonment
  15. Daniel Corey Cantrell, 25, Abingdon, Virginia - 37 months imprisonment
  16. Tanner Morris Curd, 23, Meadowview, Virginia - 84 months imprisonment
  17. Amy Lorene Moser, 52, Abingdon, Virginia -100 months imprisonment
  18. Steven Salyer, 27, Abingdon, Virginia - 87 months imprisonment
  19. Brandon Cody Trivett, 23, Abingdon, Virginia - 30 months imprisonment
  20. Brian Edward Widener, 30, Abingdon, Virginia – 46 months imprisonment
  21. Justin Lowe, 24, Abingdon, Virginia – 41 months imprisonment
  22. Lamar Skipper, 27, Chilhowie, Virginia - four years probation
  23. Gary Brandon Childress, 25, Abingdon, Virginia - three years probation.

 

The investigation of the case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, United States Marshals Service, Virginia State Police, Washington County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office, Abingdon Police Department, Marion Police Department, Smyth County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee is prosecuting the case for the United States.

Updated November 17, 2017