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Press Release

Seven East Tennessee Residents Sentenced To A Total Of 603 Months In Prison For Methamphetamine Conspiracy Operating In Washington County

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Tennessee

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, the Honorable Leon Jordan, U.S. District Judge, sentenced the last of seven defendants for their roles in a methamphetamine manufacturing conspiracy. The individuals were indicted in March 2013 for conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine (meth).

Between January 28 and February 7, 2013 law enforcement agents found meth labs or meth equipment and residue at four sites in Johnson City, including a room at the Fox Motel located on Highway 11E. The conspiracy was active when the indictment was returned on Mar. 12, 2013.

The seven individuals include: Thomas Bugg, 52, of Johnson City, who was sentenced to 92 months in prison; James Brandon Kimes, 27, of Gray, who was sentenced to 200 months in prison; Stephen Eric Burgner, 32, of Johnson City, who was sentenced to 96 months in prison; Monroe Eugene Lowe, 27, of Jonesborough, who was sentenced to 72 months in prison; Allen Casey Story, 28, of Johnson City, who was sentenced to 60 months in prison; Carla Nicole Lowe, 23, of Elizabethton, who was sentenced to 46 months in prison; and Terra Beth Bugg, 41, of Watauga, who was sentenced to 37 months in prison.

U.S. Attorney William C. Killian stated, “Tennessee continues to have one of the highest rates of meth addiction in the United States. Meth has no legitimate uses and it destroys lives, families, and communities. We will continue to devote resources to rid our communities of the scourge of meth by vigorous prosecution and meaningful prison terms.”

Law enforcement agencies participating in the investigation which led to the indictment and subsequent convictions include the Washington County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, Johnson City Police Department, Elizabethton Police Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee National Guard Counter-Drug Intel, and the Kingsport Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen Smith represented the United States.

Updated March 18, 2015