Tri-Cities Man Sentenced To Life After Role In Fentanyl Death

A tri-cities man will spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of his role in a fentanyl overdose death. 42 year old Terrance Lamont Hines was found guilty back in June of 2023 after a five day trial in federal court in Greeneville regarding the death of a 52 year old woman in Sullivan County on December 3, 2020. Prosecutors say that after a lengthy battle with chronic pain, the victim had begun self-medicating with controlled substances she purchased from others, including a chain of dealers with Hines at the top. Prosecutors say that Hines sold the fentanyl to Robin Hutchins of Kingsport, who sold it to Adam Presnell of Knoxville, who sold it to Shaina Lanford of Kingsport, who then supplied it directly to the victim.

Hines was found guilty of conspiring to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl with a resulting death. He was also convicted of multiple counts of distributing fentanyl; possessing with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl; possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; and possessing firearms by a convicted felon. On Monday in Greeneville, Federal Judge Ronnie Greer determined that Hines was both an armed career criminal and a career offender and therefore sentenced Hines to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Hutchins, Presnell, and Lanford previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Lanford was sentenced last November to 120 months in prison. Presnell was sentenced in January to 84 months in prison, while Hutchins will be sentenced in August.