A man from Wise, Virginia has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his role in a drug distribution conspiracy and illegal possession of firearms. Michael Wynn Whitaker Jr., 45, pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.
Court documents show that between January 2023 and September 2024, Whitaker was a main distributor of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine in Wise County. He made frequent trips to West Virginia with co-conspirators to purchase quantities ranging from two to ten ounces of methamphetamine and about an ounce of fentanyl at a time for further distribution in Southwest Virginia. Whitaker also traveled at least 25 times to Kentucky, each time purchasing at least two ounces of methamphetamine for redistribution.
Despite being legally prohibited from owning firearms due to prior convictions, Whitaker kept guns at his home where much of the drug activity occurred.
Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, announced the sentencing along with Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, and the Southwest Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lena Busscher and Danielle Stone prosecuted the case.
