Chattanooga Drug Dealer Blakemore Facing 23 Years In Federal Prison In Heroin Death Case

  • Thursday, June 29, 2017
Darius Jermaine Blakemore
Darius Jermaine Blakemore
Darius Jermaine "Tank" Blakemore, 28, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin resulting in death, distribution of heroin resulting in death, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute crack, and possession with intent to distribute heroin. 
 
He entered the guilty plea during the second day of his trial on the charges. 
 
In his plea agreement, Blakemore agreed to serve a prison sentence of 23 years.
Federal law provides enhanced penalties for drug dealers who distribute controlled substances that lead to overdose deaths, including a 20-year mandatory minimum sentence.
 
The plea agreement, along with proof at trial, provided that in February 2016, Blakemore sold a gram of heroin to Jessica Rachels for $200 in the parking lot of a McDonald’s in Chattanooga.  After Ms. Rachels arrived at the parking lot, Blakemore gave the heroin to one of his runners, Joshua Corbett, who delivered the heroin to her. 
 
Ms. Rachels gave a portion of the heroin she received from Corbett to Logan Whiteaker, who drove her to the drug deal.  Whiteaker’s stepfather found him dead the next morning on the floor in the bathroom of his residence in Red Bank. He had a hypodermic needle clutched in his hand.  A blue container with .64 grams of heroin inside was found on the bathroom counter. 
 
Whiteaker graduated from Hamilton County Drug Court less than 24 hours prior to his death. 
 
Like Blakemore, Ms. Rachels and Corbett both previously pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin resulting in death and are all awaiting sentencing. 
 
U.S. Attorney Nancy Stallard Harr said, “Heroin has proven to be a deadly poison that does not discriminate.  Its victims include every gender, race, age, and economic background, and its debilitating effects are the same across all demographics.  Statistics show that in 2016, heroin deaths surpassed gun homicides for the first time in more than 15 years.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee will not stand idle as the death toll continues to rise.  We will use all available resources to hold drug dealers like Blakemore, who seek to profit from this epidemic, accountable for their actions.”  
 
John McGarry, resident agent in Charge of the DEA Chattanooga Office, stated, "The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and its task force partners from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Red Bank Police Department, the Chattanooga Police Department, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will investigate and pursue overdose deaths in southeast Tennessee to the fullest extent of the law.   The prosecution of Darius Blakemore stands as an example of this coalition’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable elements of our community from the persistent threat of heroin.”     
 
Law enforcement agencies participating in the joint investigation include the Drug Enforcement Administration, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Chattanooga Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and Red Bank Police Department. 
 
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Porter and Scott Winne represent the United States. 
 
Breaking News
Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 3/28/2024

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: ADERHOLT, FELICIA DAWN 1110 ST CLAIR ST DUNLAP, 37327 Age at Arrest: 37 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous ... more

Signal Mountain Must Determine How To Use Remainder Of ARPA Funds
  • 3/27/2024

The town of Signal Mountain has $358,637 remaining from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds it received and there must be a plan in place by the end of the year for how the money will be ... more

Chattanooga Man Gets 21-Year Sentence For Fentanyl Death Of 19-Year-Old
Chattanooga Man Gets 21-Year Sentence For Fentanyl Death Of 19-Year-Old
  • 3/27/2024

A 25-year-old Chattanooga man, was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison for supplying drugs that led to the death of 19-year-old Charlotte Gallant. Jonathan Bash appeared before Judge Curtis ... more