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Press Release

Twenty Individuals Indicted For Conspiracy To Manufacture Methamphetamine

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

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.-- A federal grand jury in Knoxville returned a 26-count indictment on Feb. 19, 2014, against Linda F. Pesterfield, 40, of Sweetwater, Tenn.; John G. Roberts, 38, of Sweetwater, Tenn.; Jeremy T. Palmer, 36, of Loudon, Tenn.; Adam W. Norman, 33, of Lenoir City, Tenn.; Randy P. Brewster, 19, of Sweetwater, Tenn.; Mandy L. Moser, 36, of Sweetwater, Tenn.; Ebony L. Gallaher, 27, of Lenoir City, Tenn.; Phillip B. Richardson, 23, of Philadelphia, Tenn.; Christy J. Givens, 39, of Lenoir City, Tenn.; Robert L. Smith, 27, or Lenoir City, Tenn.; Tracy D. Lowry, 31, of Sweetwater, Tenn.; Sherry R. Barr, 45, of Lenoir City, Tenn.; William C. Crew, 32, of Philadelphia, Tenn.; Eugenia D. Taylor, 31, of Lenoir City, Tenn.; Kenny R. O’Dell, 34, of Lenoir City, Tenn.; Miranda R. Lankford, 32, of Lenoir City, Tenn.; Cynthia E. Rowe, 35, of Lenoir City, Tenn.; Amanda R. Spencer, 23, of Knoxville, Tenn.; Lester S. Willis, 61, of Lenoir City, Tenn.; and Joshua L. Ferguson, 30, of Loudon, Tenn., for a conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.

In addition, Pesterfield, Roberts, Palmer, Norman, Brewster, Moser, and Gallaher were indicted for a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Roberts and Palmer were also indicted for firearms violations, including possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of more than one year in prison, and for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

Eleven of these individuals appeared in court on Feb. 26 and 27, 2014, before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Bruce Guyton and pleaded not guilty to the charges in the indictment.

The investigation has shown that individuals involved were purchasing pseudoephedrine at local pharmacies and using that pseudoephedrine to manufacture methamphetamine at various locations in Lenoir City, Loudon, and Sweetwater, Tenn.

If convicted, all face a minimum and mandatory term of 10 years in prison and a maximum term of life, a maximum fine of $10,000,000.00, and a term of supervised release of at least five years. In addition, Roberts and Palmer, face a maximum term of 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000.00, and a term of supervised release of up to three years, as to the possession of firearms by a prohibited person charges, and a mandatory minimum and mandatory five year sentence up to life, which by statute must be served consecutively with any other prison term imposed, a maximum fine of $250,000.00, and a term of supervised up to five years as to the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime charges. All also face mandatory court assessments.

This indictment is the result of an investigation by the 9th Judicial Drug Task Force, Loudon County Sheriff’s Office, McMinn County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Lenoir City Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn L. Hebets represents 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.

Updated March 18, 2015