THE FORMER OWNER OF A KINGSPORT NIGHT CLUB WILL BE SPENDING TIME BEHIND BARS ON MULTIPLE DRUG RELATED CHARGES. JAMES SWAFFORD JR. PLED GUILTY TO CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY TO POSSESS MORE THAN 300 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA AND MORE THAN 300 GRAMS OF COCAINE FOR DELIVERY OR SALE. HE ALSO PLED GUILTY TO TAX FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING. CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE JERRY BECK ORDERED SWAFFORD TO SERVE AT LEAST 30 YEARS BEHIND BARS BEFORE BECOMING ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE. ONCE HE’S RELEASED, HE WILL BE PLACED ON SUPERVISED PROBATION FOR FIVE YEARS. SWAFFORD WAS ALSO ORDERED TO PAY OVER 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN FINES. HIS CHARGES WERE THE RESULT OF A MULTI-AGENCY INVESTIGATION INTO A DRUG RING BELIEVED TO BE BRINGING HUNDREDS OF POUNDS OF MARIJUANA AND COCAINE INTO THE TRI-CITIES.