Two Knoxville Residents Charged In Federal Complaint With Conspiracy To Distribute Fentanyl, Heroin, And Methamphetamine

Knoxville, Tenn. – On September 24, 2020, the United States Attorney’s Office filed a federal complaint charging two individuals, Michael Allen Hill, 45, and Heavyn Breanne Thomas, 23, both from Knoxville, TN, with conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, one kilogram or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance, and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.


Task force seeks help in combating drug overdoses in Sullivan

BLOUNTVILLE — Between March 1 and Aug. 1, 22 people died in Sullivan County as the result of drug overdoses, often from using heroin laced with other drugs, with fentanyl having become a common lethal additive.

That startling figure was among information shared on Friday by District Attorney General Barry Staubus, 2nd Judicial District (Sullivan County), and other members of the Sullivan County Drug Related Death Task Force.


Federal Jury Convicts Four Defendants For Operating Knoxville-Area "Pill Mills"


Morristown Resident Sentenced to Serve 18 Years in Federal Prison on Methamphetamine Trafficking and Gun Crimes

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On June 3, 2019, Brandon Lee Alexander, 36 of Morristown, Tennessee, was sentenced by the Honorable J. Ronnie Greer, U.S. District Judge, to serve 216 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; possession with the intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  Alexander was also denied his request for a new trial.


Federal Grand Jury Indicts 15 Individuals for Heroin and Fentanyl Conspiracy in Knoxville and Surrounding Counties

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On April 16, 2019, a federal grand jury in Knoxville returned an eight-count indictment against Damion Knox, 34, Darnez Turner, 30, Jeremiah Johnson, 23, and Papa Diop, 23, all of Detroit, Michigan; Joshua Cooper, 37, Virgil Crawford, 45, Jessica Bouvier, 30, Stephen Bouvier, 38, Jama Collier, 23, and Tina Berry, 55, all of Knoxville, Tennessee; and, five individuals not yet in federal custody at the time of this release.  This case has been set for trial on July 1, 2019. 


Twelve Arrested in Multi-Agency Round-Up in Franklin County


Maximino Contreras Sentenced to Serve 210 Months in Prison for Shipping Methamphetamine from Arizona to East Tennessee


TBI: Pair found with more than 150 lbs of pot at Crossville airport

A Florida pilot and a California woman face prosecution after police say they found them at the Crossville airport with about 150 pounds of "pharmaceutical grade" marijuana.

The TBI identified the pair as Dennis Howard Bonneau, 47, of Weston, Fla., and Erin Elizabeth Reed, 34, of Arcata, California.

They were being held in the Cumberland County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bond each. They each face a count of manufacturing, sale or delivery of a schedule VI (marijuana) drug.


Drug Dealer Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy To Distribute Heroin Resulting In Death And Distribution Of Heroin Resulting In Death

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – On June 28, 2017, Darius Jermaine Blakemore, a.k.a. Tank, 28, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin resulting in death, distribution of heroin resulting in death, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute crack, and possession with intent to distribute heroin. He entered this guilty plea during the second day of his trial for the same offenses.


Area drug bust leads to seizure of more than 20 pounds of crystal meth

A multiple-agency drug bust in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn Express in Tiftonia on Tuesday night led to one of the largest meth seizures ever in the Hamilton County area. 

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Narcotics and Special Operations Division, along with Tennessee Bureau of Investigation personnel, the Chattanooga Police Department and the DEA arrested Chattanooga's Mathew Turner after a search of his vehicle revealed a pound of crystal meth and two hand guns.