Whitley drug ring members sentenced to prison terms

While former Williamsburg Police Officer Brad Nighbert’s sentencing was pushed off until March 24,two of his co-defendants pleaded guilty to their parts in transporting prescription drugs from Michigan to resell in Kentucky.

Both Nighbert’s motion to reschedule the sentencing and the judge’s ruling on the motion were filed under seal, meaning neither is available to the public.

Tina Elizabeth Davis and Branden Ray Sutton were sentenced to five years, three months and five years, five months in federal prison, respectively at their sentencing hearing Feb. 23 in U.S. District Court in London.

Prior to handing down the sentences, U.S. District Court Judge Gregory VanTatenhove gave each defendant the opportunity to address the court.

Davis apologized for taking the court’s time, adding that she is a drug addict who was doing what she had to in order to feed her habit. However, she said drug court has opened her eyes to what she has done.

"I regret every day that I messed up," Davis said.

VanTatenhove added that the sentence, which is at the lower end of the guideline range of 63 to 78 months, is not to protect the public, but to allow Davis to pay the debt she owes to society and to give her the opportunity to get the help she needed to deal with her drug habit.

In handing down Sutton’s sentence, VanTatenhove noted he is not likely to commit another crime, but, like Davis, must pay his debt to society.

"I agree with the punishment," Sutton responded. "I have three kids. I’m glad they are cleaning it up around here."

VanTatenhove recognized members of Sutton’s family and his church "family" who filled several rows of the seats at the back of the courtroom to show their support.

"I didn’t realized how badly I’ve affected people," Sutton told the court. "I had a habit and did what I had to support it.

"I’m glad I’ve got a good family and good church," he added.

Nighbert, Davis, Sutton and four co-defendants, Larry Dan Harville, Michael Scott Ball, Shannon Lee Taylor and Joritta Nicole Petrey were indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2010 on multiple drug-related charges.

According to the indictment, between Dec. 2005 and May 2007 the defendants conspired to distribute pills containing Oxycodone.

Sutton and Davis were each indicted on one count of distributing pills containing Oxycodone.

According to information provided in court, the group made at least two trips to Michigan, returning with about 750 pills.

Sutton pleaded guilty in May while Davis and Nighbert entered guilty pleas in September.