Sparta native Jeffery Gentry has begun serving his prison time for charges of wire fraud and money laundering.
Gentry reported to United States Penitentiary McCreary last week where he will serve three years for a $43 million ponzi-type-scheme.
Authorities said the former owner of Gentry Brothers Tractor Supply and Gentry Auto convinced more than 50 individuals to invest funds totaling $43 million. Gentry caused a financial loss to investors of more than $10 million.
Gentry pleaded guilty to the charges in 2017 and was sentenced in May 2018.
The McCreary penitentiary is a high security facility with an adjacent minimum security satellite camp. The facility is located in Pine Knot, Kentucky about 13 miles North of Oneida, Tennessee.