Federal prosecutors announced this week that a Henderson County couple has been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking charges tied to transactions in Henderson and Buncombe counties.
Jason Mills, 47, of Hendersonville and Stephanie Hope Lindsey, 40, of East Flat Rock entered guilty pleas to distribution counts, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina said. Mills was sentenced to 135 months in prison — about 11 years — followed by five years of supervised release. Lindsey received a sentence of 46 months, nearly four years, and three years of supervised release.
Timeline and charges
According to court filings and testimony at sentencing, federal and local law enforcement investigated Mills for supplying fentanyl and methamphetamine in Henderson and Buncombe counties. The investigation found that between January and February 2024 Mills and Lindsey engaged in multiple drug transactions with an individual cooperating with law enforcement. Prosecutors said Lindsey sometimes carried out sales coordinated by Mills and at other times drove him to meetups; Mills also completed some transactions on his own.
On Feb. 12, 2024, investigators executed a search of Mills’ Asheville residence and seized fentanyl and methamphetamine, along with drug paraphernalia and cash. Authorities also searched Mills’ vehicle that day and found additional pills and narcotics packaging.
| Item | Quantity (as reported by DOJ) |
|---|---|
| Fentanyl (residence) | 86.38 grams |
| Methamphetamine (residence) | 87 grams |
| Methamphetamine-containing pills (vehicle) | 69 pills |
| Cash (residence) | $2,000 |
Federal probation and prior conviction
The Department of Justice noted that Mills was on federal probation at the time of the offenses for a prior federal trafficking conviction in Florida. Because of that status, federal officials said his earlier sentence affects how the new sentence will be carried out: "when he reoffended, Mills was on federal probation for a federal trafficking conviction in Florida. Therefore, his 10-year sentence will run when his federal violating probation sentence expires," the DOJ statement said.
That sentencing detail reflects the layered nature of federal penalties when multiple cases and probation violations overlap. Mills’ new term of 135 months will be followed by five years of supervised release; Lindsey’s sentence includes three years of supervised release after her 46-month prison term.
Operation Take Back America
Prosecutors said the case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at disrupting cartels and transnational criminal organizations that traffic fentanyl and other dangerous controlled substances into U.S. communities. The operation has involved coordinated federal, state and local law enforcement actions focused on supply chains and street-level distribution.
- The investigation established an alleged pattern of sales in Henderson and Buncombe counties during early 2024.
- Evidence seized during the Feb. 12, 2024 searches included both fentanyl and methamphetamine, digital scales and cash.
- Sentences reflect federal prosecution for distribution of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Local impact and public safety
Fentanyl-related prosecutions have increased across the region as officials seek to curb a rise in overdose deaths tied to illicit synthetic opioids. Law enforcement and public-health officials have repeatedly warned that even small amounts of fentanyl can be lethal, and trafficking prosecutions are one component of broader efforts to stem supply and reduce harm.
While prosecutors pursue criminal cases against alleged distributors, public-health advocates continue to emphasize prevention, access to treatment and community education as critical elements in addressing substance use disorders and overdoses. The U.S. Attorney’s Office framed this prosecution as part of a larger disruption effort targeting distribution networks.
No additional details about victim overdoses or related local investigations were provided in the DOJ statement released with the sentencing announcement. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and participating agencies handled the investigation with local partners in Henderson and Buncombe counties.
Federal sentencing and case documents are public records; individuals seeking more information about the case can contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina for the official filings.
