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Massive Undercover Drug Operation Nets Numerous Arrests

Posted
HUNTINGDON (January 10) — Carroll County Jail was filled to capacity after an undercover operation spanning 15 months into the sale of illicit drugs throughout Carroll County has resulted in the indictment and arrest of dozens of individuals. Today, during an extensive roundup involving numerous local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, various drugs, vehicles, explosive devices, and more than $30,000 in cash were seized, and a search warrant was secured.
 
“Operation Dark Crystal,” led by special agents with the Drug Investigation Division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Huntingdon Police Department, McKenzie Police Department, and 24th Judicial Drug Task Force began in September 2021. During the investigation, authorities conducted multiple controlled purchases, surveillance, and research.
 
On January 3rd, the Carroll County Grand Jury returned indictments, charging 61 people in connection to the ongoing investigation. Today, more than 90 officers from 15 agencies participated in a roundup to bring the individuals into custody. Along with TBI, the participating agencies include Huntingdon Police Department, McKenzie Police Department, 24th Judicial Drug Task Force, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Bruceton Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, 27th Judicial Drug Task Force, Big Sandy Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Bolivar Police Department, and the Tennessee Department of Corrections.
 
Participating in the news conference at the Carroll County Jail on January 10 were McAlister, Sheriff Andy Dickson, McKenzie Chief Ryan White, and Huntingdon Public Safety Director Walter Smothers.
 
Smothers said the war on drugs has taken a dangerous turn with Fentanyl being laced on common illicit drugs such as marijuana.  
 
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control.
 
Smothers said his officers have responded to Fentanyl cases and administered Narcan to save the subjects’ life. 
 
Smothers said the recent arrests are one chapter in continuing operations.
 
Chief White thanked the TBI, noted they have resources that the local departments do not have. 
 
Sheriff Dickson said he appreciated the law enforcement partners including those in other municipalities. Drugs are an ongoing battle and we want those involved to constantly be looking over their shoulders. He noted that many drugs are laced with Fentanyl and taking any drug is a gamble with one’s life.
 
In the Tuesday arrests, the drugs seized included meth, Fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana.
 
Officers also seized several vehicles used to transport illicit drugs.
 
At the time of this release, 47 individuals had been taken into custody, 46 of whom were charged as a result of the indictments. Each individual was booked into the Carroll County Jail on bonds ranging from $50,000 and $2,000,000.
 
Arrests include:
 
Andra L. Adams (DOB: 6/22/69), Huntingdon: 1 count – Sale of Schedule II (Cocaine); bond: $100,000
 
Billy R. Anderson (DOB: 5/27/79), Huntingdon: 1 count – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale, 1 count – Criminal Responsibility for Conduct of Another (Sale of Methamphetamine); bond: $500,000
 
Hunter Birdwell (DOB: 10/26/96), Bruceton: 2 counts – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale, 1 count – Criminal Responsibility for Conduct of Another (Sale of Methamphetamine), 1 count – Sale of Counterfeit Controlled Substance; bond: $150,000
 
Jessie F. Butler (DOB: 8/28/97, McKenzie: 1 count – Sale of Methamphetamine; 1 count – Aggravated Child Endangerment; bond: $250,000
 
Torrie Carter (DOB: 9/25/79), Lavinia: 6 counts – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $1,000,000
 
Lindsey Cary (DOB: 2/12/94), Huntingdon: 1 count – Criminal Responsibility for Conduct of Another (Sale of Methamphetamine); bond: $100,000
 
Jarood Cherry (DOB: 6/30/93), Huntingdon: 1 count – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale, 1 count – Criminal Responsibility for Conduct of Another (Sale of Methamphetamine); bond: $100,000
 
Stacy Cochran (DOB: 1/28/78), Huntingdon: 4 counts – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $1,000,000
 
Haley Craig (DOB: 12/28/97), McKenzie: 1 count – Facilitation of the Manufacture, Delivery, Sale of Schedule II (Methamphetamine); bond: $50,000
 
Candace Davidson (DOB: 12/23/82), Bruceton: 2 counts – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $100,000
 
Victor D. Foster (DOB: 10/11/63), Huntingdon: 4 counts – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $500,000
 
Justin R. Gateley (DOB: 1/24/92), Cedar Grove: 1 count – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $500,000
 
Latoyia A. Gordon (DOB: 9/19/80), Huntingdon: 1 count – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale: bond: $100,000
 
Candis N. Highsmith (DOB: 6/25/81), Huntingdon: 1 count – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $100,000
 
Brittany N. Hill (DOB: 6/10/91), McKenzie: 1 count – Criminal Responsibility for Conduct of Another (Sale of Methamphetamine); bond: $500,000
 
Jonathan P. Hill (DOB: 9/13/78), McKenzie: 1 count – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $250,000
 
Jerry D. Hilliard (DOB: 2/27/65), Huntingdon: 2 counts – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $150,000
 
Gabriel Hillsman (DOB: 8/13/76), Atwood: 2 counts – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $1,000,000
 
Patrick J. Holbrook (DOB: 11/12/72), Trezevant: 2 counts – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $500,000
 
Marcus Holder (DOB: 10/14/71), Huntingdon: 1 count – Sale of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine); bond: $500,000
 
Hannah N. Hollingsworth (DOB: 6/18/98), Hollow Rock: 2 counts – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $100,000
 
Samantha A. Hughes (DOB: 10/25/94), McKenzie: 1 count – Criminal Responsibility for Conduct of Another (Sale of Methamphetamine), 1 count – Aggravated Child Endangerment; bond: $300,000
 
Johnnyez C. Johnson (DOB: 2/4/99), Huntingdon: 1 count – Possession of Schedule II (Cocaine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale, Burglary, 1 count – Theft of Property between $1,000 – $2,500, 1 count – Vandalism between $2,500 – $10,000; bond: $250,000
 
Amy E. Ledford (DOB: 5/17/77), Paris: 1 count – Sale of Methamphetamine; bond: $250,000
 
Micah J. Leite (DOB: 8/17/94), Murfreesboro: 1 count – Criminal Responsibility for the Conduct of Another (Sale of Methamphetamine); bond: $250,000
 
Carlos L. Milton (DOB: 7/2/85), McKenzie: 2 counts – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $1,000,000
 
Tracy Myles (DOB: 8/12/66), Huntingdon: 4 counts – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale, 2 counts – Criminal Responsibility for Conduct of Another (Sale of Methamphetamine); bond: $250,000
 
Adrian Nesbitt (DOB: 1/12/88), McKenzie: 5 counts – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $500,000
 
Jamie O’Mahony (DOB: 7/28/99), Huntingdon: 1 count – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $100,000
 
Pappas Pearson (DOB: 9/12/68), Huntingdon: 3 counts – Sale of Schedule II (Cocaine); bond: $100,000
 
Gabrielle Phillips (DOB: 11/14/88), Huntingdon: 2 counts – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale, 1 count – Criminal Responsibility for the Conduct of Another (Sale of Methamphetamine); bond: $100,000
 
Samantha Rhea (DOB: 1/19/83), Lavinia: 1 count – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $100,000
 
Stella L. Siggers (DOB: 11/2/78), Huntingdon: 1 count – Criminal Responsibility for the Conduct of Another (Sale of Methamphetamine); bond: $100,000
 
Markus Sneed (DOB: 4/12/84), McKenzie: 1 count – Sale of Methamphetamine; bond: $100,000
 
Herbert Strayhorn (DOB: 2/5/62), Huntingdon: 1 count – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $100,000
 
Arthur A. Teas Sr. (DOB: 6/25/59), McKenzie: 2 counts – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $250,000. During today’s arrest, Teas was charged with additional counts of Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
 
Marquez M. Tharpe (DOB: 7/18/78), Huntingdon: 1 count – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $100,000
 
John Todd (DOB: 4/19/80), Camden: 2 counts – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $500,000
 
Opal Travis (DOB: 10/28/59), McKenzie: 1 count – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $100,000
 
Jonathon Tripplett (DOB: 8/30/87), Trezevant: 5 counts – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $2,000,000
 
Rickey Warlick (DOB: 8/28/80), Huntingdon: 3 counts – Criminal Responsibility for the Conduct of Another (Sale of Cocaine); bond:$1,000,000
 
Linda C. Warren (DOB: 9/20/79), Huntingdon: 1 count – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $250,000
 
Kendall Weatherford (DOB: 3/26/64), McKenzie: 4 counts – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $500,000
 
Jimmie K. Williams (DOB: 12/13/65), Huntingdon: 1 count – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $250,000
 
Charlotte Winberry (DOB: 9/25/82), Atwood: 3 counts – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $250,000
 
Sherrie D. Wisdom (DOB: 6/30/72), Hollow Rock: 1 count – Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) with Intent to Manufacture, Deliver, Sale; bond: $2,000,000
 
Additional arrest:
 
George G. Freeland Jr. (DOB: 6/25/73), Humboldt: 1 count – Failure to Appear (Gibson County)
 
This remains an active and ongoing investigation. More indictments and arrests are expected.