Pubdate: Wed, 18 Jul 2001
Source: Bristol Herald Courier (VA)
Copyright: 2001 Bristol Herald Courier
Contact: http://www.bristolnews.com/contact.html
Website: http://www.bristolnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1211
Author: David McGee

EIGHT TRI-CITIES RESIDENTS ARRESTED BY DEA

BLUFF CITY -- Eight Tri-Cities residents face federal drug charges after 
being arrested under sealed indictments by agents of the Drug Enforcement 
Agency, authorities said. Four states are involved in the investigation, 
which still was ongoing Tuesday. DEA agents, working the Sullivan County 
Sheriff's Office, Bluff City police and the Tennessee Bureau of 
Investigation, made the arrests during a series of raids that began June 28.

"DEA Special Agent Brian Snedegar testified that several items including 
chemicals, glassware and tubing consistent with a methamphetamine lab were 
seized," said Eric Hurt, an assistant U.S. attorney in Abingdon. Those 
items were found inside a house at 308 Cedar St., Hurt said. A hazardous 
materials team was called in, and the house was sealed.

Authorities say the chemicals used in meth labs can be highly volatile. 
"They were set up and ready to go. They could have been in operation in a 
short time," Snedegar said, adding that the home was close to both City 
Hall and Bluff City Elementary School.

Those arrested were Ernie Embree, 47, of 308 Cedar St.; Jeff Embree, 38, of 
Bluff City; Donna Richardson, 41, of 18919 Pittstown Road, Bristol, Va., 
who now is in state custody; Bruce Bowman, 45, of Bristol Virginia; Danah 
Diggs, 48, of 226 Old Thomas Bridge Road; Shelly Miller, 26, of 215 
Hillcrest Road; Jimmy Dempsey, 42, of 411 Shawnee Drive; and James Tinsley, 
44, of 217 Old Jonesboro Drive.

All eight have been charged with conspiracy to manufacture more than 50 
grams of methamphetamine, Hurt said. In addition, Ernie Embree, Jeff 
Embree, Richardson, Bowman, Diggs and Miller were charged with conspiracy 
to distribute more than half a kilogram of methamphetamine and possession 
with intent to distribute methamphetamine, Hurt said.

Ernie Embree, Jeff Embree, Richardson, Bowman and Diggs also were charged 
with conspiracy to maintain a place to manufacture methamphetamine -- the 
home at 226 Old Thomas Bridge Road. Ernie Embree and Richardson also were 
charged with conspiracy to sell and distribute marijuana, and Richardson 
faces additional charges of being a convicted drug user in possession of 
firearms and knowingly possessing pseudoephedrine with intent to 
manufacture methamphetamine, Hurt said.

Seven of the eight arrested were arraigned in federal court in Abingdon on 
July 2, and each pleaded not guilty, Hurt said. Richardson remains in 
custody in Tennessee and has not appeared in court in Abingdon, Hurt added. 
Miller remains in the Washington County, Va., jail, while the remaining six 
have been released on bond, Hurt said.

  "All charges involving methamphetamine were from between May 1998 and 
January 2001, while the marijuana charges were from January 1997 to July 
2000," Hurt said. "Because Donna Richardson is still in custody in 
Tennessee, we have not set a trial date," he said. "Once we get her, we 
will set those dates."

All eight could face no less than 10 years in prison and up to life in 
prison if convicted, Hurt said. Each also could face fines up to $4 
million, he added.

Bluff City Police Chief Ken Potter said his agency became involved in 
February. "The investigation actually began in Virginia and bled over into 
this jurisdiction," he said. "Five officers from the Bluff City Police 
Department provided security at the 308 Cedar St. operation and assisted 
with five arrests."
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