A 30-year-old Detroit man faces 15 to 25 years in prison as the convicted leader of a heroin distribution ring thought to have brought in kilos of heroin for local sale and use.
A Knox County Criminal Court jury convicted Waynard Q. Winbush on Tuesday of conspiracy to possess with intent to sell and deliver heroin in a drug-free school zone, conspiracy to possess with intent to sell oxymorphone in a drug-free school zone, possession with intent to sell oxycodone in a drug-free park zone and possession with intent to sell and deliver oxymorphone in a drug-free park zone.
The five-day trial was held before Criminal Court Judge Bob McGee.
Prosecutors said Knoxville Police Department Investigator Phil Jinks found that between Jan. 3, 2013, and July 31, 2013, Winbush and five others were bringing from Detroit to Knoxville heroin, oxyvodone and oxymorphone. They used the Greyhound bus as well as rental cars to move the drugs, according to the Knox County District Attorney General's Office.
They used residences on Adair Drive, Chickamauga Avenue and New York Avenue as sales points.
Locally, Winbush had help from several people who sold drugs to feed their own addiction.
Prosecutors say the ring brought in "kilos of heroin and thousands of prescription pills" to Knoxville.
Detroit conspirators who have pleaded guilty already: August O. Allen, 33, Christopher J. Holloway, 30, Jordan C. Page, 24, Joseph Green, 29, and Coleman E. Strickland, 43.
Local conspirators who have pleaded guilty already: Timothy K. Ford, 57, Megan L. Huffaker, 26, and Amanda M. Maples, 35.
