Michael Wayne Bentley Sentenced To Over 23 Years Imprisonment For Firearm And Drug Offenses

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - On April 29, 2024, Michael Wayne Bentley, III, 28, of Gray, Tennessee, was sentenced to 284 months of imprisonment by the Honorable J. Ronnie Greer, United States District Judge, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville. Following his incarceration, Bentley will be on supervised release for five years.

On December 14, 2023, following a three-day jury trial, Bentley was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and attempting to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)A); and using, carrying, and/or brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(ii).

The evidence presented at trial demonstrated that Bentley arranged to receive deliveries of methamphetamine to the Kingsport area via the U.S. Postal Service from a source of supply located in Mexico. Law enforcement intercepted one postal package containing more than 894 grams of methamphetamine. Approximately three weeks later, another package was intercepted, containing more than 839 grams of methamphetamine. That package was addressed to Bentley's grandparent's residence. Agents replaced the methamphetamine in the second package with items of a similar weight and the package was delivered. Agents testified they observed Bentley's grandmother accept the package and, shortly thereafter, Bentley arrived at the residence. Once Bentley left the residence, agents approached Bentley and attempted to arrest him. Bentley pointed a firearm at the agents and fled on foot, with agents in pursuit. During the chase, Bentley again pointed his firearm at the agents and two agents discharged their firearms at Bentley, who was not injured. He was then taken into custody.

During a post-arrest interview, Bentley admitted to agents that he had been receiving methamphetamine through the U.S. mail and distributing it. He also admitted that he had acquired the firearm for protection from other drug dealers.

U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee, Special Agent in Charge, Rana M. Saoud, of the United States Homeland Security Investigations ("HSI"), and Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division, Tommy D. Coke, of the United States Postal Inspection Service ("USPIS") made the announcement.

The criminal indictment was the result of an investigation by HSI, USPIS, and the Second Judicial Drug Task Force. This investigation was led by HSI Special Agent John Bulla.

Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Swecker and B. Todd Martin represented the United States.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces ("OCDETF") investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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