Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Rhea County Woman Sentenced to Eleven Years and Six Months for Manufacturing Methamphetamine in Home with Five Children
Misty Angel has Two Prior State Felony Convictions for the Same Conduct
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Misty Angel, 36, of Dayton, Tenn., was sentenced to serve 138 months in prison by the Honorable Curtis L. Collier, U.S. District Judge. Angel pleaded guilty in April 2014 to a federal indictment charging her with manufacturing methamphetamine.
According to the information on file with the U.S. District Court, in October 2013, after receiving complaints of methamphetamine activity, officers from the Rhea County Sheriff’s Department responded to Angel’s residence and caught her in the process of making methamphetamine using the “one-pot” method. The “one-pot” methamphetamine manufacturing process is inherently dangerous, involving several toxic, flammable, and explosive chemicals. She was high on methamphetamine at the time and heating a “one-pot” methamphetamine laboratory with a hair dryer, creating further danger. Chemicals and equipment used in the manufacturing process were found inside and outside the residence and officers encountered a strong chemical odor when they approached the trailer. Five children, ages 17, 14, 13, 12, and 4 years old, were present and were taken to the Rhea County Medical Center for decontamination. Tennessee Department of Children’s Services removed the children from the home.
Angel was classified as a “career offender” under federal law because she had two prior drug felony convictions, both involving methamphetamine and both involving her prior manufacture of the drug in the presence of her children. Her federal sentence reflected her prior state convictions and the substantial risk of harm that her conduct posed to her children. Judge Collier also recommended that Angel participate in a drug treatment program while she is in prison.
The indictment and subsequent conviction of Angel was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Rhea County Sheriff’s Department, Tennessee Methamphetamine and Pharmaceutical Task Force, and Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg L. Sullivan represented the United States.