KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. — Forthy-three-year-old Justin Orlando Mack was convicted of several charges after being caught with cocaine and a gun during a parole search, according to Knox County District Attorney General Charme Allen.
On July 28, 2022, the Knoxville Police Department conducted a parole check on Mack's home on Oak Ridge Highway. During the search, officers found 36 grams of cocaine and a loaded handgun in the kitchen and $15,000 cash in the bathroom.
According to the DA, 36 grams of cocaine would amount to approximately 200 individual uses of cocaine. Mack was read his rights and admitted possession of the cocaine.
Mack has six prior felony convictions in Knox and Sevier counties, five of which are for distributing cocaine, the DA said. After serving a portion of one of his previous prison sentences, he had been released from prison by the parole board and was on parole when he committed this offense.
Due to these convictions, prosecutors asked that Mack be sentenced as a habitual drug offender.
He has also been identified as a member of the Bloods criminal street gang.
Mack was convicted of possession with intent to sell cocaine, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony and unlawful possession of a firearm.
His sentencing case is set for Nov. 14 where he is facing a minimum of 42 years in prison because of his prior criminal convictions.
