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.