Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to 30 Years with 10 to Serve in Catoosa County

James Blevins, 34, was convicted and sentenced to 30 years, with the first 10 years to be served in prison without the possibility of parole, after pleading guilty to trafficking fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The guilty plea was entered in Catoosa County Superior Court on February 25, 2025.

The conviction was the result of an investigation led by Detective Chris Lyons of the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation revealed that Blevins sold fentanyl on multiple occasions. A search warrant executed at his residence resulted in the discovery of approximately 60 grams of fentanyl, a pill press, and over $10,000 in cash. Following his arrest, Blevins admitted to purchasing about one ounce of fentanyl weekly in Chattanooga and transporting it to Catoosa County, where he would “cut it” to produce two ounces of pressed fentanyl for local sale at $100 per gram.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney David Wolfe, and Chief Judge Brian House presided over the guilty plea hearing.

District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller emphasized his office’s commitment to combating fentanyl, stating, “I want to thank the relentless dedication to fight the scourge of fentanyl of Sheriff Gary Sisk and Detective Chris Lyons of the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office; their exceptional work not only brought a criminal to account — it saved lives. Let this sentence be a warning to every fentanyl dealer: we are coming for you with the full force of the law. You will find no safe harbor, and the cartels won’t be able to hide you. The fight against dealers of death, the Mexican cartels who trafficked this poison across our borders, and the Chinese Communist Party who provides the fentanyl components to the cartels will not falter. We will not fail to rid our Main Streets of this poison.”

The Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office echoed these sentiments, commending the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office for their crucial work in this case.