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Press Release
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – James Carrol Hickman, 41, of Dandridge, Tenn., was convicted of aiding and abetting in the illegal production of distilled spirits by a person who was not an authorized distiller (illegal production of “moonshine”). Hickman was convicted on Dec. 5, 2014, following a two-day jury trial, and is scheduled for sentencing on Mar. 17, 2015. He faces a possible sentence of up to five years in federal prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
Evidence presented at trial showed Hickman worked for co-defendant Jack Mayfield, Jr., at a large-scale illegal moonshine production operation in the Carson Springs area of Cocke County, Tenn. Hickman’s role at the operation included transporting supplies and distributing moonshine. According to the testimony of a TBI agent, Hickman also admitted that he “cooked” moonshine. Testimony from an additional witness also demonstrated that Hickman was involved in the production of moonshine. The evidence further showed that the operation consisted of 18 stills, each with a capacity of 400 gallons.
Two others have already been convicted in this case and are awaiting sentencing. Michael Steve Reece was convicted on Nov. 7, 2013, and is scheduled for sentencing on Mar. 10, 2015. Jack Mayfield, Jr., was convicted on Oct. 9, 2014, and is scheduled for sentencing on Feb. 12, 2015.
This investigation was a joint effort of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and Cocke County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Suzanne Kerney-Quillen and J. Christian Lampe represent the United States.