Tennessee Man Pleads Guilty in Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy

ABINGDON, Va. - A Tennessee man, who trafficked fentanyl-laced pills and fentanyl powder into Southwest Virginia, pled guilty recently in U.S. District Court in Abingdon.

Jermaine Crayton Jr., 20, pled guilty recently to one count of conspiracy to 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 had repeatedly brought large quantities of fentanyl pills into Smyth County for further distribution.

In August 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.

Following a positive identification of 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 possess 2,372 fentanyl pills and 58.72 grams of fentanyl powder. The type of pills Crayton was distributing are increasingly common, and extremely dangerous. They are known as "pressed" pills or "M30" pills, and they are designed to resemble a pharmaceutical preparation of oxycodone pills. However, they often contain fentanyl, often in inconsistent doses that can lead to overdose and death.

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

The case is being investigated by 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.

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