East TN Man Sentenced For Receiving Meth In The Mail

An East Tennessee man will be spending the next two decades in prison after he was convicted of receiving a massive amount of methamphetamine…via the US Postal Service. Back on December 14, 2023, 28 year old Michael Wayne Bentley III 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. He also was found guilty of brandishing a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.

Federal prosecutors say that Bentley arranged to receive deliveries of methamphetamine to the Kingsport area via the U.S. Postal Service from a source in Mexico. Law enforcement intercepted one postal package containing more than 894 grams of methamphetamine. About 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 that second package with items of a similar weight and they let the package be delivered. Agents testified in court 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 then fled on foot. During the chase, Bentley once again pointed the firearm he had acquired from drug dealers at agents who then shot at Bentley. He was not hit but did surrender. He told agents he had been receiving meth in the mail, then distributing it. Judge Ronnie Greer this week sentenced Bentley to over 23 years in prison.