Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 4, 1990                   TAG: 9004040181
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SALTVILLE MAN ARRAIGNED

Joel Mitchell, 23, entered a plea of innocent in U.S. District Court along with eight others who were charged last month by a grand jury in a 27-count indictment.

In total, 11 people, including Mitchell and several of his family members, were indicted on charges stemming from arrests made March 15 following an eight-month federal investigation of the drug operation.

Mitchell, indicted on 11 counts of drug conspiracy, criminal enterprise, cocaine distribution, money laundering and use of a firearm, faces fines up to $8.7 million and a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years to life imprisonment.

The charges grew out of a "reverse sting" in which undercover agents posing as drug suppliers arranged a deal in which the suspects were prepared to offer $80,000 for a large amount of cocaine and marijuana. The drugs were to be dropped by plane into a field.

Mitchell and two other men were arrested minutes after the deal was made off Virginia 611 in Washington County. More than $80,000 in cash was seized during the arrests, along with three vehicles, various weapons, drug paraphernalia and more than five pounds of marijuana.

The firearms included pistols, shotguns, rifles and one Uzi automatic weapon. The seized vehicles included a 1979 Corvette, a 1986 Ford Bronco and a 1986 Chevrolet pickup truck.

Searches were made in four locations in Smyth and Washington counties. The town of Saltville lies in both counties.

Others arraigned Tuesday include:

Jerry Lee Mitchell of Saltville, who was indicted on eight counts. Mitchell faces a maximum $12.7 million fine and up to 30 years' imprisonment.

Ellen Mitchell Hiatt of Saltville, who was indicted on four counts. Hiatt faces a maximum fine of $4 million and up to 20 years' imprisonment.

Wesley Mitchell of Saltville, who was indicted on five counts. Mitchell faces a maximum fine of $5 million and up to 20 years' imprisonment.

Ervin Blevins of Saltville, who was indicted on four counts. Blevins faces a maximum $4.2 million fine and minimum mandatory sentence of 10 to 40 years' imprisonment.

Rodney Neil Allison of Saltville, who was indicted on six counts. Allison faces a maximum $8.7 million fine and up to 30 years' imprisonment.

James Olinger of Saltville, who was indicted on four counts. Olinger faces a maximum $4 million fine and up to 20 years' imprisonment.

Debbie Olinger, James Olinger's wife, who was indicted on three counts. She faces a maximum $3 million fine and up to 20 years' imprisonment.

Robert Lee Helton of Saltville, who was indicted on two counts. Helton faces a maximum $2 million fine and up to 20 years' imprisonment.

In a related action, Judge James Turk set bond for Helton, Jerry Mitchell and Dewey Johnson, another co-defendant in the case. Johnson's bond was set at $200,000, Mitchell's at $50,000 and Helton's at $50,000.

All three had been held without bail. Johnson was indicted on four counts of drug conspiracy, attempted drug distribution and money laundering.

Another co-defendant, Jim Robbins of Chilhowie, was picked up on state charges while out on bond and is being held in the Smyth County Jail. His arraignment on federal charges has been scheduled for next week.

Robbins was indicted on drug conspiracy, drug distribution and drug possession.