Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 4, 1990 TAG: 9007040263
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-2 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Co-defendants in the drug conspiracy case in which 59-year-old Isaac G. Abbott of Salem is accused of distributing drugs through recruits throughout Southwest Virginia, testified before a jury about Abbott's alleged drug activities.
Abbott, who was indicted in April with 14 other people, has been charged with 16 counts of drug possession, distribution and conspiracy and illegal possession of a firearm. Twelve of those 14 - including Jesse M. Whitley, a Texan believed to be Abbott's supplier - have pleaded guilty.
Federal co-defendants agreed to testify against Abbott in exchange for consideration of lesser sentences.
James W. Stallings testified that he met Abbott in 1988 when he traded several scales used to weigh drugs for one gram of cocaine. That introduction, Stallings testified, led to numerous drug deals in which Abbott "fronted" him half-ounces of cocaine on a regular weekly basis.
"It was like getting it on credit," Stallings said. "I would do some, then I would sell some."
Stallings testified that late last year he drove to Texas with Abbott and several other people to purchase an estimated 170 pounds of marijuana from Whitley. While in Texas, Whitley told Stallings that he wanted to cut Abbott out of the operation, Stallings testified.
"He was tired of dealing with Ike," he testified. "He said that all Ike's jewelry and flashiness was going to get us caught."
Stallings testified that he contacted a man - who unknown to Stallings, was working as a government informant - about working for Whitley. The two traveled in early March to Knoxville, Tenn., where Whitley had arranged to distribute marijuana and cocaine to them.
Whitley gave the informant 9 ounces of cocaine and 40 pounds of marijuana, for which he gave Whitley $16,000 in cash and owed him $38,000, Stallings testified. Whitley also gave Stallings 10 pounds of of marijuana, worth $11,000, on credit.
When Abbott learned of the deal, Whitley's plans to cut him out and of Stallings' participation in Whitley's efforts, he threatened to "blow our . . . brains out," Stallings testified. "I was scared."
Stallings so feared for his life that when the time came to settle his debt with Whitley, he phoned John Dye and David Wingo, two co-defendants, and asked them to accompany him to a Salem motel where Whitley was awaiting his payment, Stallings testified.
Authorities, who had been investigating the operation, arrested Whitley, Stallings, Dye and Wingo at the motel. Detectives with the Roanoke Police Department testified that the men were armed with revolvers, shotguns, a bandoleer filled with 12-gauge shotgun shells, hunting knives and pistols.
A drug task force headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration had been investigating the operation since September. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bondurant has called the operation a "historical conspiracy" - one that had been going on for several years.
Authorities said an informant's purchases of large quantities of marijuana and cocaine from Abbott led them to other people, who authorities say distributed the drugs throughout the Roanoke area.
Bondurant said earlier that he considered this to be a rather large drug-distribution operation.
Authorities seized much of Abbott's assets - about $40,000, a half-dozen vehicles and numerous guns.
Abbott faces a mandatory 10 to 80 years in prison.
Those who have pleaded guilty include:
Jewell Dawn Abbott, who was charged with keeping the books on the alleged drug dealings of her husband, Isaac Abbott.
Danny Melvin, Jewell Abbott's son, charged with delivering drugs for Isaac Abbott.
Ronnie Abbott, Charles W. Todd and Rose Weaver, who are accused of distributing drugs supplied by Isaac Abbott around the Roanoke area.
Mike Lambert, Tracy Caudill and Rebecca Rash, accused of distributing drugs supplied by Isaac Abbott in the Carroll County area.
Abbott's trial - and that of David L. Wingo, who is being tried with Abbott - will continue Thursday.
by CNB