DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Eastern District of Tennessee

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, October 5, 2022
Francis M. Hamilton III
, United States Attorney

Bristol Man Found to Be a Career Offender and Sentenced to 264 Months Imprisonment for Possession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On October 5, 2022, Michael Shane Moore, 40, of Bristol, Tennessee, was sentenced to 264 months in prison by the Honorable Clifton L. Corker, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville. During the sentencing proceeding, Judge Corker found Moore to be a career offender based on his criminal history.

As part of the plea agreement filed with the court, Moore agreed to plead guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A). After his incarceration, Moore will be on supervised release for a period of 5 years.

According to the plea agreement, officers with the Bristol Tennessee Police Department located a stolen vehicle at a motel. The officers saw Moore exit the motel and get into the stolen car. Officers detained Moore and, during the course of their investigation, learned that he was in possession of 95 grams of methamphetamine, $1,528 in U.S. currency, and a .45 caliber pistol.

“Our office is committed to addressing the violent crime and drug trafficking problem that impacts our communities,” said United States Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the public from those who traffic in drugs while armed.”

“Today’s announcement is a perfect answer as to why we chose to protect and serve the public. There has been an increase of vehicles thefts, illegal firearms possession, and narcotics distribution in our communities. The outcome of this case is the result of extremely great work that was performed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (“ATF”) and our law enforcement partners. We will continue to work tirelessly to keep our communities safe from the individuals that continue to endanger our neighborhoods,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Mickey French.

“This is a great example of the teamwork and cooperation, throughout the entire system that allows us all to be successful in our mission to ensure a safe, healthy environment for our community to thrive,” said Police Chief Matt Austin, Bristol Tennessee Police Department.

This case was the result of an investigation by the Bristol Tennessee Police Department and the ATF.

Assistant U.S. Attorney B. Todd Martin represented the United States.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Nashville Field Division