GREENEVILLE, TENN.
A federal judge sentenced a former lieutenant with the Mountain City Police Department to three years in prison for possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, according to officials.
Honorable J. Ronnie Greer, U.S. District Court Judge Ronnie Greer sentenced Ronald Glen Shupe, 44, of Butler, Tennessee, on Monday, officials stated.
Shupe was also found guilty of using a firearm while drug trafficking, officials stated.
According to court documents, in 2016 and 2017, while serving as the third-ranking member of the Mountain City Police Department, Shupe bought and sold oxycodone pills, supplied pills to another Mountain City Police Officer, and used controlled substances, including methamphetamine and pain pills.
In one incident, a confidential witness reported that in 2017 she gave Mr. Shupe an intravenous injection of methamphetamine while he was in his patrol car and on duty.
In November 2017, Mr. Shupe purchased oxycodone pills for distribution from another individual working on behalf of law enforcement.
During the transaction, Shupe was in full uniform, driving a Mountain City Police car, and armed with a department-issued Glock pistol and ammunition.
“Law enforcement officers are sworn to protect the public and uphold the law. The U.S Attorney’s office will prosecute vigorously those that choose to violate that trust by committing crimes, especially while on duty and in uniform,” said J. Douglas Overbey, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
Renae McDermott, FBI Special Agent in Charge, Knoxville Division commented, “Citizens have the right to expect that law enforcement officers act legally and in accordance with the law. The FBI is committed to ensuring that all violations of the law are aggressively investigated.”