KNOXVILLE, TN. (WLAF)- Billy Davis is now in federal custody following a hearing last week.

After initially pleading not guilty following his 2019 narcotics arrest, Davis opted to move forward with a guilty plea. Last May, he entered into a plea with United States government acknowledging he was guilty of trafficking in cocaine.

On Friday, he formally withdrew the not guilty plea and admitted culpability in selling the drugs.

Davis ultimately pleaded guilty to possessing 500 grams of cocaine. Within that plea, Davis agreed he was also guilty of distributing the cocaine.

Sentencing for Davis on those charges is set for Aug. 21 in Knoxville.

Sentencing for Davis on those charges is set for Aug. 21 in Knoxville.

Davis and Johnny Tackett, trafficked narcotics with a confidential source 18 times beginning in Dec. 2018 until March 2019. Over the course of four months, the source bought cocaine and marijuana from the two with Tackett acting as the go between, court records said. Initially, the source would go to Tackett’s house and wait for him to go to Davis’ home to retrieve the drugs. Eventually, Davis began curbside service delivering the drugs to Tackett’s house in a silver Ford F-150, the same truck that authorities had placed a tracking device on. The surveillance records matched with information of the tracking unit along with the information from the confidential source confirmed the drug trafficking. 

This accumulation of evidence gave authorities enough cause to conduct a traffic stop on Davis in March 2019.

When police searched the truck, 25 ounces of marijuana and $10,418 was found. Among the just over $10,000 was $960 in marked money the Drug Task Force had used the day before when the source bought cocaine from Davis and Tackett, court records said. Davis further allowed police to search his home where they discovered another 1.3 ounces of marijuana, 9.4 ounces of cocaine along with “several guns, a digital scale and ledgers.”

The original federal indictment named a total of 11 men. Davis and Tackett were the only two local men.

Tackett, was sentenced last month for his part in the crimes. After pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, Tackett was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison. After his release, he will spend two years on probation, according to court records. While in prison, Tackett must complete 500 hours of substance abuse treatment and undergo a mental health evaluation following any recommendations that arise from that evaluation. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 04/22/2021- 6AM)

One Reply to “Davis in federal custody following hearing”

  1. Not enough time!!! should have been a Min. of 20 years with 80% to be served before being elgible for parole!!!–David.

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