Six Members of Drug Trafficking Organization Plead Guilty For Roles in Conspiracy that Brought Methamphetamine from California to Southwest Virginia

Abingdon, VIRGINIA – United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen announced today that six individuals who conspired to traffic methamphetamine from California into Southwest Virginia recently pleaded guilty in the United States District Court in Abingdon to federal firearms and methamphetamine distribution charges.

“Methamphetamine is a deadly drug that has ravaged numerous communities in Southwest Virginia,” United States Attorney Cullen stated today. “We are committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to dismantle the large drug-trafficking organizations mainly responsible for this scourge and stanching the flow of these drugs into our region.” 

Justin Hale, 36, and Elizabeth Hale, 38, both of Abingdon, Va., each pleaded guilty on January 23, 2019 to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams of methamphetamine.   At sentencing, they each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison. In addition, each defendant faces a possible criminal fine of up to $20 million.

Jessica Dixon, 30, and Michael Wesley Kestner, 35, both of Marion, Va., each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Dixon entered her plea on January 17, 2019. Kestner pleaded guilty on January 31, 2019. At sentencing, they each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison. In addition, each defendant faces a possible criminal fine of up to $10,250,000.

Rhonda McDonald, 35, and Crystal Lyons, 39, both of Marion, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.  Lyons entered her plea on January 18, 2019. McDonald pleaded guilty on January 23, 2019. At sentencing, they each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison. In addition, each defendant faces a possible criminal fine of up to $10 million.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea hearings by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee, Justin Hale and Elizabeth Hale, who are married, coordinated the transportation of multi-pound packages of methamphetamine shipped from California to Abingdon.  McDonald, Dixon, Kestner, and Lyons received quantities of methamphetamine from Justin Hale, which they distributed in Marion and Abingdon.  Additionally, Dixon and Kestner were found to have used firearms to threaten and intimidate individuals who owed them money for methamphetamine.  Search warrants and other law enforcement actions led to the seizure of more than $30,000 in United States currency and more than two pounds of methamphetamine.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office, the Abingdon Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Virginia State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Lee is prosecuting the case for the United States.