Pubdate: Fri, 28 Sep 2001
Source: Southern Standard, The (TN)
Copyright: 2001 Southern Standard & The Smithville Review
Contact:  http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd=941
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1513
Author: Duane Sherrill

METH SUSPECTS FACE LENGTHY JAIL SENTENCES

Lawmen struck at dawn Wednesday, rounding up 20 alleged local drug 
traffickers as part of an 18-county operation which targeted the 
methamphetamine business in Southern Tennessee. In all, over 100 people 
were indicted by a federal grand jury across the state as part of the 
nearly two-year operation to identify alleged major meth producers and 
traffickers. Those arrested as part of operation TOP (Tired of Playing) 
were arraigned Wednesday before federal magistrates in Winchester and 
Chattanooga. They will each face federal drug trafficking charges which 
means extensive jail terms.

"We were out for blood this time," said Warren County Sheriff's Department 
Chief Investigator Herb Rowland as officers brought in the suspects for 
booking at a temporary booking center set up downstairs at Warren County 
Administrative Building on Locust Street. The suspects, after being 
fingerprinted and interviewed, were shipped aboard a school bus for 
arraignment in federal court. Most of the suspects were denied bond during 
arraignment and will remain held at federal detention centers until their 
trials.

According to Sheriff Jackie Matheny, the cases against the suspects were 
made by local law enforcement officers and then the cases were adopted by 
federal prosecutors. The sheriff noted the work was the result of a joint 
task force effort involving local jurisdictions along with state and 
federal agencies.

For an offender to qualify for the federal charges they must have been 
involved in multiple crimes and their meth activity must have had a 
significant impact on the community or posed a significant threat to the 
community.

"It's history. It's the first time something like this has been 
undertaken," Matheny said. "The folks in this operation are looking at 
mega-years in jail. During arraignment, we heard maximum sentences of 64 
years and even 105 years, and the federal people make you serve the entire 
sentence."

Matheny said the threat of federal time strikes fear into many traffickers, 
noting many convicted of trafficking in state courts were already back out 
making the illegal drug.

"As soon as they get out, they're right back at it," Matheny said. "Since 
this operation was region-wide, hitting the adjoining counties, this may 
hit a pretty good lick at it."

Noting most of those arrested locally were repeat offenders, some arrested 
three or more times on meth charges, McMinnville Police Investigator Marty 
Cantrell pointed out incarceration is sometimes the only way to stop people 
from dealing in meth.

"Some meth heads just don't have anything else except meth," Cantrell said, 
noting recidivism is especially high for meth producers. "It's the worst 
I've ever seen."

District Attorney General Investigator Jason Rowland noted the high 
produced by the drug and its ease to manufacture have contributed to its 
popularity over the past few years.

"A cocaine high is maybe 20 or 30 minutes, but a meth high can last eight 
to 12 hours," Rowland said. "According to who's doing the cooking, meth can 
take four to six hours to make, so it really doesn't take that long."

The arrests were made simultaneously beginning at sunrise Wednesday in all 
18 counties including Warren, Coffee, Franklin, Grundy, Van Buren, Moore, 
Lincoln, Bedford, Hamilton, Marion, Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Rhea, Meigs, 
Bradley, Polk and McMinn counties.

Many of those indicted by the federal grand jury locally were already 
inmates at Warren County Jail awaiting trial on other drug charges. At 
press time, only one suspect targeted for arrest remained at large.

While rounding up suspects, lawmen also found two alleged meth labs. One 
was found on Comer Road when lawmen went to pick up suspect Chad Weismore. 
The second was found on Garth Circle as lawmen were looking for another 
suspect. Seven people were arrested in connection with the raid on Garth 
Circle including John Marsh, Ricky Robinson, Leanne Hillis, Remi Palmerton, 
Steve Foreman, Lisa Roman and Robin Holt. All seven will face local drug 
manufacture charges. The lab was the second found at the residence in just 
over a month.

Those arrested on federal meth charges as result of Operation TOP include 
Darrell Hobbs, Donald R. Jones, Glenn Wright, Sandra Wright, Devoy Lee 
Nokes, Jeff Bailey, Chad Weismore, Dortha Elkins, Sammy Walker, Tracy 
Jennings, Jamison Klod, Jeff Medley, Sammy (Budge) Mullican, Franklin D. 
Nicholas, James Peterson, Tyrone Wood, Robert Grissom and Paul Clark.
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