Authorities on Wednesday arrested 22 individuals from over nine counties, spanning Southeast Tennessee, Northern Georgia and Northern Alabama for their roles in a large methamphetamine distribution conspiracy centered in Marion County, Tn.
An investigation led by special agents and task force officers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) along with detectives of the Marion County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office resulted in two separate grand jury indictments, which include charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by prohibited people.
Those charged in the first indictment include:
David Henderson, 45, of Wildwood, Ga.;
Ronald Green Jr., 49, of Jasper, Tn.;
James Ray Pritchett, 36, of South Pittsburg, Tn.;
Dennis Reed, 44, of South Pittsburg, Tn.;
Steve Hankins, 58, of Jasper, Tn.;
Christopher Brian Janeway, 41, of South Pittsburg, Tn.;
Kevin, Denney, 40, of South Pittsburg, Tn.;
James Allen Sexton, 50, of Chattanooga;
Kelly Nance, 34, of Jasper, Tn.;
Jason Boston, 35, of South Pittsburg, Tn.;
Charles Meeks, 41, of Tracy City, Tn.;
Michael Patterson, 40, of Philadelphia, Tn.; and
Robert Graham, 46, of Trenton, Ga.
Initial appearances for individuals listed above who were arrested on Wednesday are scheduled for
3 p.m.
on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chattanooga, before Federal Magistrate Susan K. Lee.
Those charged in the second indictment include:
Monica Sha Newman, 38, of Jasper, Tn.;
Mark Anthony Johnson, 33, of Tracy City, Tn.;
Terry Jones, 53, of Crandall, Ga.;
Ronald Terry Wilmore, 46, of McMinnville, Tn.;
Tiffany Hadder, 32, of Gruetli Laauger, Tn.;
Nathan Carlton, 40, of Stevenson, Ala.;
Rodney Craig Akins, 49, of Dunlap, Tn.;
Jamie Harris, 43, of Whiteside, Tn.; and
Jeremy Toro, 40, of Tracy City, Tn.
Initial appearances for these individuals are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday in U.S. District Court before Federal Magistrate William B. Carter.
Eight of the individuals charged in these indictments are already in custody on other charges and will have initial appearances at later dates.
In addition to ATF and the Marion County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office, state and local law enforcement agencies who assisted with the arrests include: the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; Tennessee Highway Patrol; Dade County Georgia Sheriff’s Office; Grundy County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office; Jackson County Alabama Sheriff’s Office; Loudon County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office; Murray County Georgia Sheriff’s Office; Sequatchie County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office; Warren County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office; Monteagle Tennessee Police Department; and Chattanooga Tennessee Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Bay will represent the United States.