ABINGDON — One of six Bristol, Va., residents involved in a crack cocaine distribution ring was given a 25-year federal prison sentence during a recent appearance in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia.
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia Timothy Heaphy said the defendants were part of a conspiracy that was responsible for distributing large quantities of crack cocaine on both sides of the state line in the Bristol area.
Christopher Landon Avery, 29, Bristol, Va., who authorities said was the supplier in the conspiracy, was sentenced late last week to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty earlier to one count of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
Other members of the conspiracy who were previously sentenced include:
• Damon Dock, aka “Corky,” 39, Bristol, Va., was sentenced to 11 years in prison following a jury trial in which he was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base.
• Damon Dock, 20, of Bristol, Va., was sentenced to 20 years in prison following a jury trial in which he was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base.
• Maggie Welch, aka Maggie Graybeal, 27, Bristol, Va., was sentenced to 30 months in prison following her plea of guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
• Hope Leonard, 32, Bristol, Va., was sentenced to three years in prison following her earlier plea of guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base.
• Chris Berry, 25, Bristol, Va., was sentenced to five years in prison following his earlier plea of guilty to one count of possession of stolen firearms and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Federal prosecutors said Avery, a five-time convicted drug trafficker, supplied the other members of the conspiracy with crack cocaine for distribution in both Bristol, Va., and Bristol, Tenn.
Berry also traded stolen items, including firearms, from burglaries in Russell and Washington counties for crack cocaine, authorities said.
Both Docks, Berry and Leonard were arrested in May 2011 in a Bristol, Tenn., motel room for possessing crack cocaine and a firearm, while Avery and Welch were arrested in Johnson City in possession of an ounce of crack, $951 and a 9mm handgun.
Avery was also reportedly involved in a shooting with Welch’s ex-husband that took place in April 2011 on Pace Drive in Bristol, Va.