FIVE PEOPLE ACCUSED IN AN OXYCODONE DISTRIBUTION RING OUT OF LEE COUNTY VIRGINIA HAVE ADMITTED TO THEIR CRIMES IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT IN ABINGDON. 39 YEAR OLD TERESA “BIG MAMA” ELY WAS THE REPORTED RINGLEADER OF THE NETWORK. SHE WAS ORDERED TO SERVE 21 YEARS IN PRISON AND FIVE YEARS OF SUPERVISED PROBATION UPON HER RELEASE. SHE ALSO FORFEITED OVER 42-THOUSAND DOLLARS. MEANWHILE, LEONARD BREWER WAS SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS, BEVERLY BENFIELD TO FIVE YEARS, WHILE, KIMBERLY HOMAN AND REBECCA WENDLING WERE EACH ORDERED TO SERVE 30 MONTHS. PROSECUTORS CLAIM ELY STARTED DEALING IN PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS IN THE MID 90’S AFTER SHE STARTED ALLOWING A NUMBER OF CO-DEFENDANTS TO MOVE INTO HER HOME AND HELP SELL THE PILLS. FOUR MORE PEOPLE WILL BE SENTENCED LATER THIS YEAR.