James Blevins, 34, of Ringgold, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with the first 10 to be served without parole, after pleading guilty to trafficking and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The conviction took place on February 25, 2025, in Catoosa County Superior Court. The case stemmed from an investigation led by Detective Chris Lyons of the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office. Evidence presented showed Blevins repeatedly sold fentanyl to individuals in the area. A subsequent search warrant executed at Blevins’ residence uncovered approximately 60 grams of fentanyl, a pill press, and over $10,000 in cash. Following his arrest, Blevins admitted to purchasing approximately one ounce of fentanyl weekly in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He then transported the drug back to Catoosa County where he would “cut” it and press it into two ounces of fentanyl pills, selling them locally for $100 per gram. Assistant District Attorney David Wolfe prosecuted the case, and Chief Judge Brian House presided over the guilty plea hearing. District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller, who has made combating fentanyl a top priority since taking office in March 2023, issued a strong statement following the sentencing. “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.”