Evergreen Reporter

On July 18, 2024, a federal grand jury in Knoxville, Tennessee, returned an eight-count indictment against four defendants: Mark O’Neil Robinson, 41, of Atlanta, Georgia; Christopher Harold Roberts, 57, of Knoxville, Tennessee; Brian Kirksey, 44, of Knoxville, Tennessee; and Donnie Lee Oliver, 55, of Powell, Tennessee.

According to the indictment filed with the court, all defendants are charged with conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. This is in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(A). Robinson is also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. This includes a firearm equipped with a silencer in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). Roberts faces additional charges for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime under violations of both 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 18 U.S.C. § 924(c).

Robinson had his initial appearance on July 22, while Oliver and Kirksey appeared on August 5. Roberts had his initial appearance on August 6. Each defendant's initial appearance took place in the United States District Court at Knoxville before Judge Debra C. Poplin. All defendants entered pleas of not guilty. The trial is set for September 24 before Judge Katherine A. Crytzer.

If convicted, Robinson faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of up to life plus other penalties; Kirksey and Oliver each face mandatory minimum terms starting from ten years up to life imprisonment; Roberts faces a mandatory minimum term starting from fifteen years up to life imprisonment.

United States Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III announced the indictment.

The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations (TBI). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Quencer and Caroline Poore will represent the United States.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation which aims to identify and dismantle high-level drug traffickers using multi-agency approaches.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.