Bryan Cornelius, 34, of Knoxville, has been sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for his role in conspiring to distribute illegal controlled substances, including methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee announced on Monday.
Evidence presented during the trial included wiretaps of multiple cellphones, search warrants executed at various Knoxville homes, and the seizure of narcotics, firearms, and cash. Authorities stated that Cornelius, a member of the Gangster Disciples street gang, coordinated narcotics shipments from suppliers in California. These packages, containing methamphetamine and marijuana, were sent through major carriers such as the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, and UPS throughout 2019.
The U.S. attorney’s office also revealed that Cornelius operated multiple addresses in Knoxville to store the drugs, firearms, and illicit money tied to his trafficking operation.
One particularly violent episode occurred on November 21, 2019, when Cornelius and two accomplices opened fire on a Mercedes-Benz outside the Stop-N-Go on Brooks Avenue. Cornelius fired 15 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, injuring the driver with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.
In addition to his drug trafficking conviction, Cornelius was also convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering. 22 other individuals involved in the conspiracy had previously pleaded guilty.
The sentencing was influenced by several aggravating factors, including Cornelius’s leadership role in the conspiracy, his violent threats, and his use of firearms in connection with his criminal activities. U.S. District Court Judge Thomas A. Varlan emphasized these points in determining the 45-year prison sentence.
