Twelve men and three women were arrested Tuesday in Van Buren County on charges involving various violations of federal narcotics and firearms laws.
The arrests by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), and the Van Buren County Sheriff's Department are the result of a two-year investigation into the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine in and around Van Buren County.
All of the individuals arrested are charged with conspiring to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and conspiring to possess and distribute pseudoephedrine for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine.
Several also face federal charges for unlawful possession of a firearm.
Those arrested include Allen Dale Cole, 46; Robert Helton, 46; Charles Helton, 48; Larry Sullivan, 28; Eddie Simmons, 32; Tonya Mills, 33; Kevin Argo, 32; Cheyenne Mooneyham, 36; Jimmy Hopkins, Jr., 32; Wendell Rigsby, 39; Titus Sullivan, 30; Cody McCluskey, 22; Amber Rogers, 25, and Crystal Shockley, 24, all of Spencer, Tn., and Jeffrey Hobbs, 31, of McMinnville.
Joshua Simmons, 29; Timothy Ryan Bouldin, 24, and Ashley Smith, 24, all of Spencer, are currently in custody and will be brought to Federal Court in the coming week.
Other federal defendants are pending arrest and their names and other pertinent information will be released upon their initial appearance before the United States Magistrate judge.
Initial appearances are scheduled for Wednesday in United States District Court in Chattanooga before the U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Susan K. Lee.
Acting United States Attorney Gregg Sullivan said, "These arrests and this prosecution are part of our continuing effort to reduce the availability of methamphetamine in East Tennessee."
ATF Special Agent in Charge Glenn Anderson said, "This long-term investigation focused on several individuals involved in methamphetamine manufacturing, distribution and illegal firearm possession. The ATF, the TBI, and the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office will continue our team approach to investigate and arrest individuals who violate the law."
TBI Special Agent in Charge Richard Brogan said, "We became involved with the ATF and Van Buren Sheriff's Office in February 2009, while investigating a group that were involved in cooking and dealing methamphetamine. Several individuals also possessed firearms while being prohibited. This is a continuous effort by the ATF, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and the TBI in partnering to reduce crime in our communities."
The Office of District Attorney General Lisa Zavogiannis, 31st Judicial District, said, "I am proud and grateful to have had the opportunity to join with the other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in this lengthy operation resulting in these arrests.
"Our office remains committed to taking a strong stand against the spread of methamphetamine and will continue to work hard to prosecute any person who seeks to distribute this drug in our community."
Van Buren County Sheriff Barney Evans said, "The Van Buren County Sheriff's Office is thankful that this case went well and all law enforcement personnel are safe after the arrests. The citizens of our county benefit greatly from this operation."
Assistant United States Attorney Terra Bay will represent the United States.