An Appalachia man who participated in a drug operation connected to the murder of a Big Stone Gap police officer was sentenced today in federal court in the Western District of Virginia.
Christopher Bates, 31, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison. Bates is the eighth defendant to be sentenced for his role in the drug trafficking operation. The defendants sentenced to date will serve 54 to 235 months in jail for their role in the operation.
On Nov. 13, 2021, Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler was shot when he responded to a welfare check call at approximately 4 a.m. Chandler responded to 2505 Orr St., known locally as “the red house,” and the subject of numerous calls for civil disturbances, warrant service, welfare checks, overdoses, complaints of assaults and drug-related activities.
According to court documents, when he arrived at the Orr Street address, Chandler encountered a vehicle outside the residence and was immediately shot by Michael Donivan White. Chandler died later that evening from the gunshot injuries.
White was later apprehended in Tennessee and pled guilty to charges related to the murder of Chandler. He is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court in Abingdon on Nov. 20.
Previously sentenced for their role in the conspiracy were:
- Timothy Ray Jones – 235 months
- James Brian Mullins – 180 months
- Elicia Amber Burns – 172 months
- Justin Dwayne Skaggs – 132 months
- Charles Ryan Bowman – 120 months
- James Ray Worley – 120 months
- Tyler Lee Westmoreland – 54 months
A total of 19 defendants have been charged for conspiring to distribute more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl. Beginning in August 2021 and continuing until their arrest, the defendants allegedly participated in a conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine from Tennessee and other states into southwest Virginia and then further distribute it throughout Wise County.
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Crystal Graham
