April 25th, 2008
Individuals Indicted on Drug Charges
Methamphetamine Trafficking Ring Dismantled
Jackson, TN - Yesterday marked the end of a seven month investigation with the arrest of five defendants charged in a 16 count indictment in Operation Ice Storm announced David Kustoff, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, Mark Gwyn, Director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and Donny Blackwell of the West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force. Operation Ice Storm was an investigation into the illegal trafficking of methamphetamine into West Tennessee.
On April 21, 2008, indictments were returned against Tony L. Stewart, 48, of Milan, TN, Christopher L. King, 31, of Atwood, TN, Dustin L. McCartney, 26, of Bradford, TN, Martha E. Schepmann, 33, of Milan, TN and Rebecca J. Pendergrass, 26 of Milan, TN. These defendants were charged in federal court with conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine in and around the Gibson and Carroll Counties.
The conspiracy charge carries a penalty of not less than 5 years in prison. Each charge of distribution of methamphetamine carries a penalty of not more than 20 years in prison.
These cases are being investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task. The Gibson County Sheriff's Department, Milan Police Department, and the Tennessee Department of Revenue assisted in the arrests of the defendants. Assistant United States Attorney Jerry Kitchen is prosecuting the cases for the government.
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Note: An indictment is a form of accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.