Drug Dealer Convicted of Murder Sentenced to Thirty-Seven Years

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Felony Drug Unit obtained a thirty-seven-year sentence against a career criminal whose drug dealing led to the death of a thirty-year-old woman. Kenyon Demario Reynolds, 43, was convicted of Second Degree Murder, Sale and Delivery of Heroin in a Drug Free School Zone, Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Heroin in a Drug Free School Zone, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. Today, Judge Bob McGee sentenced Reynolds to serve thirty-seven years in prison. In addition to finding Reynolds guilty, the jury also assessed fines totaling $830,000.

In a four-day trial in March, Assistant District Attorneys Hector Sanchez and Ken Irvine explained to the jury that on July 3, 2015, the Knoxville Police Department responded to an overdose death at a residence in West Hills. KPD Organized Crime Unit Investigator Phil Jinks was able to determine that the last individual to have contact with the victim was Justin Lee. Inv. Jinks interviewed Lee and confiscated his phone. While examining the phone, Lee was contacted by Reynolds who told Lee to check the mailbox at his West Knoxville residence. When Inv. Jinks went to the mailbox, he recovered one half gram of heroin that Reynolds had delivered. Lee then agreed to arrange a controlled purchase of two grams of heroin for $360. Inv. Jinks and other officers observed Reynolds place the heroin in the mailbox and take the $360 in undercover funds. Officers followed Reynolds to 1012 Morrell Road where Reynolds ran on foot before being apprehended. Officers searched his residence and found an additional fourteen grams of heroin, $44,000, a firearm, and a grinder and press used to cut heroin.

“This drug dealer profited from the addiction of a member of our community who paid the ultimate price for that addiction,” said DA Charme Allen.”Because of the conviction in this case, countless more lives were saved.”

Reynolds has eleven prior felony convictions for assault, firearm, and drug dealing offenses in Georgia and North Carolina.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.