A Bristol man has been sentenced to nearly 25 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl that led to a fatal overdose in Sullivan County.
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Clifton L. Corker sentenced 27-year-old Nathan Hunter Whitaker to 292 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Whitaker pleaded guilty to one count of distributing fentanyl resulting in death, a federal offense carrying severe penalties under 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).
According to court documents, law enforcement began investigating Whitaker in July 2020 as part of a broader probe into cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine trafficking in the Eastern District of Tennessee. In February 2023, authorities linked a local overdose death to fentanyl toxicity. Days later, Whitaker sold fentanyl-laced counterfeit Roxicodone 30mg pills to a confidential informant during multiple controlled buys.
On April 1, 2024, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the 2nd Judicial District Drug Task Force, along with Carter County sheriff’s deputies, attempted to arrest Whitaker in Johnson City. He initially fled in a vehicle but later returned to a residence, where officers found him with a large quantity of fentanyl-laced pills, $13,754 in cash, and more than 130 firearms — including stolen weapons, two silencers, and a short-barreled rifle. One firearm had been taken from the Tennessee Valley Authority Police.
During questioning, Whitaker admitted he provided the counterfeit fentanyl pills that caused the victim’s death.
Federal officials said the case underscores the dangers of fentanyl and the commitment of multiple agencies to target its distributors.
“Fentanyl-related deaths across the district, state, and our nation are far too common,” U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III said. “We will use all available resources to investigate and prosecute those who traffic in fentanyl and bring them to justice.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott said the case “highlights the serious risks fentanyl poses to our communities,” while HSI Nashville Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud called Whitaker a criminal who “prey[ed] upon and poison[ed]” his community.
The investigation involved the DEA, HSI, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, FBI, 2nd Judicial District Drug Task Force, and Johnson City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney B. Todd Martin prosecuted the case.
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