Tennessee Man to Serve 60 Months for Trafficking Fentanyl at Hotel and Casino in Bristol

ABINGDON, Va. - A Tennessee man, who trafficked fentanyl-laced pills and fentanyl powder into Southwest Virginia, including to the parking lot of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Bristol, Virginia, was sentenced today to 60 months in federal prison.

Jermaine Crayton Jr., 20, of Chattanooga, Tenn. pled guilty in February to one count of conspiracy possess with the intent to distribute and distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of possession with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

According to court documents, following a law enforcement operation in August 2025, investigators with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Smyth County Sheriff's Office, City of Bristol Virginia Police Department, Washington County, Virginia Sheriff's Office, and Drug Enforcement Administration developed intelligence that Crayton was trafficking fentanyl-laced pills and powder fentanyl. The intelligence indicated that Crayton, on a regular basis, had been bringing large quantities of fentanyl pills into Smyth County for further distribution.

On August 18, 2025, law enforcement arranged a controlled purchase of 1,000 fentanyl pills and two ounces of fentanyl powder from Crayton at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Bristol, Virginia.

After they identified Crayton, law enforcement converged on Crayton's vehicle, at which time Crayton fled on foot. While fleeing, Crayton dropped several items, including a baggie containing pressed fentanyl pills and a baggie containing powder fentanyl.

Following his arrest, it was determined that Crayton had brought 2,372 fentanyl pills and 58.72 grams of fentanyl powder to the casino. The type of pills Crayton was distributing are increasingly common and extremely dangerous. They are known as "pressed" pills or "M30s" designed to resemble a pharmaceutical preparation of oxycodone pills. However, they often contain fentanyl, in inconsistent doses that can lead to overdose and death.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, Ian Kaufmann, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Richmond Division, and Christopher Goumenis, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Washington Division, made the announcement.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Smyth County Sheriff's Office, City of Bristol Virginia Police Department, and Washington County, Virginia Sheriff's Office.

Assistant United States Attorney Whit Pierce is prosecuting the case for the United States.