Letters of Support Filed with the Sentencing Memorandum — United States v. Chad Brandon Thomas

Full text

August 7, 2023

Dear Honorable J. Ronnie Greer:

Our names are Brenda and David Thomas, the parents of Chad Brandon Thomas. Presently,
we are retired, but we have worked most of our lives as a teacher (Brenda) and as a building
contractor (David). On 12/14/1981 our oldest son, Chad, was born and this was one of the
“happiest” days of our lives. Thirteen months later Chad’s younger brother, Cory, was born and
that was another “happiest” days of our lives which completed our family. Chad, as an adult,
became a building contractor. His brother, Cory, as an adult, became a team leader of two
teams of computer developers at CGI developing computer programs for the government, and
he also has a contractor’s license.

We want to give you a rundown of our family life. The boys grew up in a traditional
household with traditional values. Our home was a happy, loving home. The boys were
sheltered from being around people that used alcohol and drugs until their college years.

From the time the kids started school, we instilled in them how important their education
would be to them. We told them that their grades and the effort they put into their learning
was top priority above sports or anything else. The boys played sports in Grades K-7, and Chad
went on to play sports in high school because he loved playing the sports. (I, dad, was one of
their coaches in Grades K-7 so | could spend more time with them.) The boys loved having their
dad as their coach.

Growing up the boys had several extended family members. Being the youngest grandchildren
on both sides of our families, they got a little extra attention. They had several aunts and uncles
but they were scattered in different states. We did have get togethers on both sides of our
families especially during the holidays. The boys loved going to an aunt’s and uncle’s (a
preacher) house in Tennessee and their grandparents had a house beside them. Their
grandparents were sick for about eight years so we had to work out a schedule to help them on
the weekends. Sometimes the boys went with mom and sometimes they stayed with dad until

they got older. (It was hard on our immediate family at times but the boys had to mature at an
earlier age, and they had to take on more responsibilities of washing clothes and dishes which

has helped them in life .) The boys were closer to all of them as a result of being with them
more. All of them were very positive, supportive people for the boys. Note: We were going to
ask them to write a character letter for Chad, but they have major health problems and just had
a sister’s death in the family.

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We think there were three main events that took place that had a major influence on both boys
ending up having a contractor’s license as adults. When the boys were little, we started an
addition on our own house which took several years because we worked on it when we could.

The boys would do what they could do to help, and they watched and learned. They also loved
it when we decided to put a basketball goal up in the addition so they and their friends could
play year-round indoors. Another thing we did was that we spent the weekends and a summer
in a camper when we built a house on a lake for a cousin. The boys watched and learned a lot
by seeing a house being built day to day for a while. They also got to fish, swim, and ride ina
boat so they loved it! As the boys grew in age they grew in knowledge about construction.
Chad learned a lot by watching shows on TV about construction and how to fix things. He had a
nickname of Chad Vila after Bob Vila on TV.

In relation to Chad specifically---

Chad was always very inquisitive about how everything worked so he learned how to do a lot of
things on his own as well a from us and others. He always stayed busy doing something from
the time he was little. In his early years of high school, he played sports but he also worked
mowing and doing other odd jobs for some of his teachers and others. He had learned about
the stock market in one of his math classes so he came to us wanting us to invest his money he
made in the stock market! We discussed putting his money in the bank first. We did learn later
how to do the stock market ourselves and invested that money because he was so excited about
that teacher teaching them about the stock market! In Chad’s later years of high school, he
continued to play sports and work. He could do all types of construction by the time he was a
senior so his senior year he quit Sports and just worked. It was his choice to do that. He felt
that he wasn’t getting anywhere in sports and he wasn’t benefiting from them. Chad also went
thru some depression over the way a girl treated him. His doctor prescribed the medicine
“Paxil” and he had a reaction to it. He was suicidal after taking it but he got the proper care.
After that incident, he was afraid to take any new drugs so the doctor said for us to observe
him. He went to Virginia Tech the next year to major in building construction. He stayed at Tech
for a semester and came home because of health reasons. We thought he was doing well
enough to go to college but he wasn’t doing well. He came home and took a class at UVA at
Wise and worked. He worked hard to be able to get his contractor’s license at 18 years of age.
He started doing construction work on his own. He was much happier at this time.

Chad would have made an excellent counselor. Chad was always mature for his age even in high
school, and he has always tried to listen to and help others. When he was in high school,
\(Brenda) would have some teachers and mothers(especially) to come up to me out in the
community and brag on Chad. They would tell me that he helped their son or daughter work
thru some problems they were having. He even helped a mother to convince the dad that their
daughter had mental issues. The family worked thru some issues and they were very
appreciative of Chad’s help they told me and David. Also, when Chad was working here in Wise,

the local police department used Chad (at the recommendation of his high school Spanish

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teacher) to be a Spanish translator for them when she couldn’t do it for them because they
didn’t have anyone that could speak Spanish in their department. He volunteered to go help
when he could.

After working around Wise for a while, Chad moved to the Kingsport area and had success in
the building industry there. He has remained working in that area until recently.

Chad was married to Amanda Barron on March 5, 2010. She already had a son named Joseph.

On April 9, 2012 they were the proud parents of a baby girl named McKayla. He now hada
family of his own to take care of and provide for them. Amanda helped with the construction
business some. When McKayla was 18 months old, she was diagnosed with major spine
problems. They found out that she had infantile scoliosis and a “syrinx” on her spine which are
very serious issues. Chad spent numerous hours trying to find out all about those issues and
where she could get help.

Chad had some health issues as well. He had severe allergies to certain medicines, yeast,
certain trees, weeds, etc. He started having chronic muscle and back pain from working,
especially from operating various pieces of heavy equipment. He started going to several
doctors and some would prescribe pain medicines and he also tried acupuncture, therapy, and
natural herbs and things. We suspect that he then tried to find some way to help relieve his
pain. With his daughter being diagnosed with her spine issues and then him having major
problems with his contracting business, and in physical pain, he then, we suspect, started to try
to find some way to relieve his pain. He started to take what, we found out later, he called

“self-medicate”. Chad was very good at hiding his problem with the drugs until he got so bad
we could tell something wasn’t right with him. Until we read the recent evaluation report we
were unaware of the years he had participated in using the various drugs.

In 2019 our family had to deal with me(Brenda) having breast cancer and had to have surgery.

In 2020 McKayla had to go to Shriner’s Hospital from February to April to stay to prepare her
body for spine surgery where they would install rods in her back. Amanda had to go with her
and stay as well which left Chad trying to keep the business going. Covid hit about this time and
they had to lock down the hospital so only one parent could be there which was difficult for
Chad. During the time they were gone, we were seeing texts and pictures of what Chad
described as people listening on his phone and he was sending pictures of different images that
he said were people spying on him. We became very concerned about his irrational behavior
and tried to get him to get help but he wouldn’t. We had to get an order of concern and he was
taken into custody and taken to Woodridge for a week to be evaluated. After being released, he
took very few of the medicines because of his past history with that group of medicines.

From this time forward, he was in the middle of Covid, his business had suffered from the end
of 2019, and he was trying to get his company back on track but evidently he couldn’t bring this
out of a downward spiral. He continued to use the drugs and wouldn’t admit to himself or us

that he needed help.

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We believe when he saw that he might get loans from the small business to help restart some of
his company and help meet the needs of his family he had a dramatic change for the next 8-10
months. Later though, you could not talk to him or have a difference of opinion about almost
anything. His wife left and she had to have him taken to Woodridge. His issues were listed in
the evaluation. Chad was evicted from his home and lost most of everything he had.

His wife got a divorce and has the kids for now.

Chad was living under a deck with tarps covering it at a former customer’s house in June, 2021.
We think that was when his lawyer at that time, Mr, Fairchild, met him to sign the agreement.
We helped him financially some and bought food for him, and occasionally got him a motel
room so he could clean up. He had hit rock bottom and still in his mindset could not figure out
that he was not in control of his life. He thought that he could handle doing the self-medication
to relieve all of the stress of the real world and he could come and go from his world back into
the real one.

After being at New Opportunities and in confinement for the last 12 months, Chad is regaining
his mental abilities to view his past actions. We believe that with the drugs and his history of
depression, being bipolar, and schizophrenic has contributed to his multitude of problems. We
know that is not an excuse for his actions and neither should it be. Chad was a great father to
his kids and a good husband. He is one of the hardest working individuals we have seen in the
construction business but he just let life’s many pitfalis swallow him up. We believe that Chad
having been Saved and Baptized and getting his kids back in his life, will have the strength to
come back from this nightmare that we all have lived especially for the last three years. We just
ask that you have compassion for a young man that like so many took the wrong road.

jul Quay Tong

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I 4 Gmail Donna M. Bolton <boltonlaw@gmail.com>

Sentencing Chad Thomas
1 message

New Opportunity <newopphousing@gmail.com>
To: boltonlaw@gmail.com

Wed, Aug 2, 2023 at 4:15 PM

Matthew Allison

Director

New Opportunities Sober Living
1303 E. Harper Ave.,

Maryville, TN 37804

August 2, 2023

The Honorable J.Ronnie Greer:

lam writing this letter to advocate for Chad Thomas, who was a resident at New Opportunities Sober Living from August
16, 2022, until February 13, 2023. | kindly request that you consider granting Chad a lighter sentence, taking into account
his personal growth, contributions, and the challenges he faced due to mental health issues.

Chad's journey at New Opportunities Sober Living has been impressive. Throughout his residency, he demonstrated an
unwavering commitment to his recovery and personal development. Chad actively engaged in our program, participating
in 12-step fellowship meetings, and sharing his experiences to support others.

One challenge Chad faced during his stay was related to mental health issues that required medication. While he
displayed some struggles in this area, it is important to note that he acknowledged the need for evaluation and
medication. Chad's willingness to address his mental health concerns and seek appropriate treatment demonstrated his
commitment to self-improvement and overall well-being.

Despite these challenges, Chad consistently displayed a strong work ethic, reliability, and dedication to his
responsibilities. He actively contributed to the program, including his involvement in the construction of a new house within
our facility. His commitment to the project and attention to detail were commendable, and his contributions positively
impacted the program and future residents.

It is my belief that Chad's personal growth, dedication, and positive impact outweigh the challenges he faced. Granting
him a lighter sentence would provide him with an opportunity to continue his journey of recovery, address his mental
health concerns, and reintegrate into society as a responsible and law-abiding citizen.

| kindly request that you consider Chad's progress, his willingness to address his mental health issues, and his overall
dedication when making a decision regarding his sentence. A lighter sentence would allow him to continue his positive
trajectory and contribute to society in a meaningful way.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you require any additional information or further discussion. Thank you for your
consideration.

Sincerely,

Matthew Allison
Director New Opportunities Sober Living
865-789-8773

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B LACKLEY CPA S. Douglas Blackley, CPA

ACCOUNTING & TAX, PC 1009 W. State Street,
Suite 1A
Bristol, VA 24201
August 18, 2023

Donna Bolton, Attorney At Law
200 W. Unaka Ave.
Johnson City, TN 37604

Ms. Bolton:

| have been asked by Chad Thomas to provide a letter which will be presented to the court. This letter
describes my contacts with Mr. Thomas.

On May 18, 2021, | met with Chad Thomas at his residence and office to discuss my firm assisting him in
preparing delinquent tax returns to bring his filing status current. These returns would include but not be
limited to corporate, personal and payroll returns. Mr. Thomas indicated that he had these entities
requiring accounting and tax services: C Thomas Enterprises and Triangle Group.

We discussed that he did not have any administrative assistance once his wife, Amanda, left the home.
This placed the burden of office management on him. This included transition of accounting software
from Builder Trend to QuickBooks, invoicing of customers, collection and depositing of fees, and recording
of transactions.

Mr. Thomas informed me that his bank accounts had been frozen due to problems with PPP loan proceeds.
It appears that Mr. Thomas did not receive professional assistance in applying for the PPP loans nor in the
administration thereof.

Mr. Thomas was also very concerned about the health of his daughter during this time.

As my meeting with Mr. Thomas continued, | became very concerned about whether he was having a
mental breakdown. He began to act strangely. He became extremely agitated about the burden he was
feeling about the businesses struggling, his wife no longer living with him, the daughter’s illness and the
frozen bank accounts.

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Donna Bolton, Attorney At Law
Page 2
August 18, 2023

He began talking as if he were God-like or given special privilege from God. He wanted to show me the
several “shrines” he had throughout his property. | wasn’t comfortable continuing to walk deeper into his
property with him. | became afraid for my safety due to his increased strange behavior and concern for
his mental health. | couldn’t wrap up the meeting fast enough so that | could leave.

i don’t remember speaking to Chad again after that meeting until recently. This was due to my being afraid
of him.

On Wednesday, August 16, I did have an opportunity to speak to him by telephone as he was calling from
his place of incarceration. This was a very normal conversation. It appeared that the issues | encountered
in 2021 were no longer a concern. He was very concerned about the upcoming legal process on Monday,
August 21, 2023.

We agreed that once he is available that we will work together to prepare and file the delinquent tax
returns. As mentioned with our 2021 meeting, this would include any corporate, individual and/or payroll

returns. We will also review whether these entities should be dissolved.

To resolve the delinquent returns will take some time to prepare. Accounting records will have to be made
available or reconstructed. But my firm is willing to assist in bringing Mr. Thomas’ filings current.

With regards,

hapa ates

S. Dougias Blackley, CPA

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Honorable J. Ronnie Greer:

This letter is in regards to Mr. Chad Thomas.

My name is Mrs. Janice Yeary. | have known Chad for over thirty years. His family are close friends of
ours.

As a young man, Chad was well adjusted, extremely intelligent, and always highly motivated. He was
pleasant, helpful, and had a great disposition. Chad has been blessed with a loving, hard-working family.
With his mother being a school teacher, and his father the owner of a construction business, this gave
Chad opportunities to explore his passions, and even start his own business at a young age.

Chad’s high motivation and excessive desire to achieve has been a blessing, but also a curse. He began
using drugs to help him keep up with the demands that he put on himself. | feel that this has led to the
downward spiral of his mental and physical addiction to drugs. This addiction has cost Chad his
marriage, friends, loss of his home, and his business.

Chad is aware of the severe, negative effects/affects that his addiction has caused, and knows that only
he can undo his mistakes.

With the help of a great support system of rehab, and family/friends support, | feel, Chad will regain his
former successful life, and can be a reformed addict that can lead others to recovery.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Janice Yeary

11958 Jaybird Branch Road
Coeburn, VA 24230
276-395-2810

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a Gmail Donna M. Bolton <boltonlaw@gmail.com>

Chad Thomas
MONTE SPENILLA <montespenilla@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: MONTE SPENILLA <montespenilla@yahoo.com>
To: "boltonlaw@gmail.com" <boltonlaw@gmail.com>

Wed, Aug 2, 2023 at 7:40 PM

My name is Ray Spenilla,| am a retitmred educator from UVA-WISE, and now serve in my 13th year as Volunteer Patient
Advocate at Southwest Virginia Cancer Center in Norton, Virginia This letter is to speak to my background knowledge
regarding Chad,his dad David,and his mom Brenda.

| grew up with David from age 8 through high school,and we have been friends over 60+ years. David gmhas always
been a person of unquestioned integrity, an exemplary work ethic,and always willing to help others.

Brenda, likewise,is a very wonderful person,a retired high school educator,a breast cancer survivor,and who also
possesses great empathy for others.

| watched them nature and guismde their children throughout their high school years,watching the boys succeed in
various academic and extra curricular endeavors

| have been saddened to see what has transpired with Chad over the past few years, yet | am a firm believer as a former
Health and Wellness Instructor,that bad choices are made that cause dire consequences to both the offspring as well as
rhe family,but also have seen MANY who have genuine remorse and if given the opprtunity,can turn his/ her life around .

| have seen the ravages of drug abuse my entire life,with my brother dying from an overdose at age 24, and believe
there is always HOPE for repentance and recovery as long as one is still breathing .

It is my hope and ongoing prayer to see Chad garner an opportunity to be one of the positive stories of recovery.

Most sincerely,
Ray Spenilla

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

ay Epson_08012023051752. pdf
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