Gangster Disciple Convicted of Selling Drugs
Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained convictions against a repeat drug dealer who is a member of the Gangster Disciples. Joshua Xavier Beasley, 29, was convicted of Sale of Heroin in a Drug Free School Zone and Possession with Intent to Sell Heroin and Fentanyl in a Drug Free School Zone. Judge Steve Sword took Beasley into custody and set the case for sentencing on August 26.
In a one-day trial, Assistant District Attorney TaKisha Fitzgerald explained to the jury that on multiple occasions in June and July 2019, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Mike Davis used a confidential informant to make controlled purchases of drugs from Beasley at a residence on Knoxville College Drive near Maynard Elementary School. SA Davis had the informant place recorded telephone calls to Beasley ordering drugs and provided the informant with an audio and video recording device to monitor the drug deals. Based upon those controlled purchases, SA Davis executed a search warrant at the residence on July 25, 2019, where Beasley was in possession of twenty-two grams of powder that was a combination of both heroin and fentanyl. Heroin or fentanyl is commonly sold and used in a”point” or 0.1 grams and sells for $20 to $40 per point. The twenty-two grams in Beasley’s possession was the equivalent of 220 points worth $4,400 to $8,800.
“Fentanyl and heroin continue to be among the top drugs found in drug-related deaths,” said DA Charme Allen.”We will continue our work taking these deadly drugs off our streets and holding the dealers accountable.”
At sentencing, Beasley is facing between fifteen and twenty-five years in prison on each of the heroin counts. Beasley has a previous drug dealing conviction from 2013 and has been classified as a member of the Gangster Disciples criminal street gang.
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.