Nashville Man Sentenced to 13 Years In Prison

A Nashville man was sentenced to 13 years in prison in federal court in Greeneville on Monday for his role in an illegal drug operation. 36 year old Charles Phelps had pled guilty to an indictment charging him with one count of Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Actual Methamphetamine. According to the plea agreement…Phelps, who was a member of a prison gang led by co-defendant Charles Elsea, Jr., conspired with gang members and others to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine into Tennessee. One of Phelps’ roles was collecting and delivering money for the organization. On February 16, 2020, Phelps was stopped for a traffic violation and $119,000 in cash was found concealed in the spare tire of his vehicle. The money was being transported out west to purchase pounds of methamphetamine. The money was seized by local law enforcement during the traffic stop. According to federal prosecutors, the investigation spanned the country, with multiple local and federal agencies working together to identify persons involved in that illegal meth operation. After spending 13 years in prison, Charles Phelps will then face 5 years of supervised release.