Ralph Ray, a 49-year-old man, has been handed a 28-year prison sentence stemming from drug charges in both Union and Claiborne counties. According to a news release from the 8th Judicial District Attorney General's Office, obtained by The Big 1063, Ray pled guilty to the charges on Monday. In Claiborne County, his guilty pleas included possession of over 26 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to sell, possession of fentanyl with the intent to sell, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Additionally, Ray admitted to possessing over 26 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to sell in Union County.
8th Judicial District Criminal Court Judge Zachary R. Walden issued the sentence, mandating that Ray serve 14 years for the charges in each county consecutively, as reported by WATE. This sentencing aligns Ray with an extended term in the Tennessee Department of Corrections. The Union County Sheriff’s Department and the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office led the investigations that culminated in Ray's arrest and subsequent plea.
The case was brought to light through the efforts of Derrick Rice and Zach Wright of the Union County Sheriff’s Department and Jason Pabon from the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office. Prosecutors Graham E. Wilson and Ron Laffitte carried the burden of the legal process, as per The Big 1063.
