U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE RINGS UP $5.3 MILLION

U.S. Attorney Harry S. Mattice Jr. announced Friday the U.S. attorney's
office collected more than $5.3 million during fiscal year 2001. The money
came from criminal fines, restitution, loan defaults, bankruptcy,
forfeitures, civil enforcement and other sources. Much of the forfeited
funds go to state and local law enforcement agencies, while criminal fines
and assessments go to the Crime Victims' Fund.

"In light of the tragic events of Sept. 11, we have placed a special
emphasis on the collection of the monies that are placed in the Crime
Victims' Fund due to the expected tremendous increase in the need for
assistance," Mattice said in a press release.

Convicted Felon Admits Drug And Gun Offenses

A convicted felon admitted Friday that he possessed 34 firearms and
distributed multiple pounds of marijuana.

Jimmy Wayne Gray, 50, of Rutledge pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge
James Jarvis to conspiracy to distribute more than 50 kilograms of marijuana
and cocaine and being a felon in possession of firearms.

Gray's plea agreement papers state U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
agents and Knox County Sheriff's Department officers found 21.5 pounds of
marijuana, two ounces of cocaine, about $11,000 in cash and 34 guns while
searching Gray's residence March 17, 2000.

The search warrant stemmed from information that Gray had distributed 50 to
100 pounds of marijuana between 1998 and early 1999, according to court
records.

Gray, who was convicted of aggravated assault in 1988 in Grainger County,
had a pistol, five revolvers, two derringers, eight rifles, including a 1940
military bolt-action rifle, and 16 shotguns. Two of the guns didn't have
serial numbers, according to the indictment. And two didn't function as
designed, the plea papers state.

Gray, who will be free on a $20,000 bond pending a Jan. 11 sentencing, faces
up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Texas Woman Pleads Innocent To Conspiracy

U.S. Magistrate Thomas Phillips unsealed a money-laundering and marijuana
conspiracy indictment during a court appearance Thursday for one of three
defendants.

Pamela Denise Heatherly, 37, of Mission, Texas, pleaded innocent to
conspiring between early 1995 and July 12, 1998, with Knoxville residents
Jerome S. Noe, 31, and Johnathan W. Barnes, 28, to distribute and possess
with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. The indictment
also charges the three with conspiracy to commit money laundering during the
same period.

In addition, Noe faces one count of concealing Cesar Duran from arrest on
Jan. 30, 1998, knowing authorities had a warrant for Duran's arrest. Federal
court records show charges pending against Duran.

The indictment also charges Heatherly with one count of possession with
intent to distribute marijuana on July 9, 1998. Noe and Barnes are also
charged with attempt to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and 500
grams or more of cocaine on July 12, 1998.

Noe and Barnes pleaded innocent to the charges last month. Trial is set for
Dec. 17. All three remain free on $20,000 bonds and face up to 60 years in
prison and $2.5 million in fines if convicted of the conspiracy charges.

The indictment also calls for the three to forfeit $1.3 million.

The FBI, Internal Revenue Service, Drug Enforcement Agency and Knox County
Sheriff's Department investigated the case.

Knox Man Pleads Guilty To Growing Pot In Closet

A Knoxville man admitted Thursday that he grew 110 marijuana plants in a
closet in his home.

William Noble Clemons, 50, pleaded guilty before Jarvis to one count of
manufacturing marijuana Aug. 14. The details of his plea agreement were
sealed.

The charge stemmed from a search warrant executed at his Joe Hinton Road
residence in August.