May 16, 2012

GREENEVILLE, Tenn., - On April 10, 2012, a federal grand jury in Greeneville returned an eight count indictment against Tommy L Ward, 52, of Sugar Grove, N.C., Timothy K. Miller, 47, of Sugar Grove, N.C., Angela Auton-Miller, 29, of Boone, N.C., William A. Greene, 25, of Sugar Grove, N.C., James D. Trivette, 46, of Sugar Grove, N.C., Brandy R. Church, 29, of Mountain City, Tenn., Sara J. Farthing, 29, of Carter County, Tenn., Sandra E. Parlier, 53, of Elk Park, N.C., Penny Lipford Ward, 38, of Carter County, Tenn., Jackie D. Roten, 30, Sugar Grove, N.C., and Minnie Carol Taylor, 36, of Carter County, Tenn., for a conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of equipment, chemicals, products, and materials which may be used to manufacture methamphetamine. Nine of the defendants appeared in court on May 9, 2012, and one appeared in court on May 11, 2012, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis H. Inman and pleaded not guilty to the charges in the indictment.

If convicted, each faces a mandatory term of 10 years in prison, a $10,000,000.00 fine, a term of supervised release of at least 5 years, and a mandatory court assessments.

This indictment is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Watauga County, North Carolina Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn Hebets will represent the United States.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.