Twenty-Two Individuals From Nine Counties And Three States Arrested For Conspiracy To Distribute Methamphetamine And Firearms Related Charges

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — On Mar. 25, 2015, 22 individuals from over nine counties, spanning southeast Tennessee, northern Georgia, and northern Alabama, were arrested for their roles in a large methamphetamine distribution conspiracy centered in Marion County, Tenn.

An investigation led by special agents and task force officers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) along with detectives of the Marion County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office, resulted in two separate grand jury indictments, which include charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by prohibited people.

Details of the charges are outlined in two criminal indictments on file with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Those charged in the first indictment include: David Henderson, 45, of Wildwood, Ga.; Ronald Green Jr., 49, of Jasper, Tenn.; James Ray Pritchett, 36, of South Pittsburg, Tenn.; Dennis Reed, 44, of South Pittsburg, Tenn.; Steve Hankins, 58, of Jasper, Tenn.; Christopher Brian Janeway, 41, of South Pittsburg, Tenn.; Kevin, Denney, 40, of South Pittsburg, Tenn.; James Allen Sexton, 50, of Chattanooga, Tenn.; Kelly Nance, 34, of Jasper, Tenn.; Jason Boston, 35, of South Pittsburg, Tenn.; Charles Meeks, 41, of Tracy City, Tenn.; Michael Patterson, 40, of Philadelphia, Tenn.; and Robert Graham, 46, of Trenton, Ga.

Initial appearances for individuals listed above who were arrested on Mar. 25, 2015, are scheduled for 3:00 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 26, 2015, in U.S. District Court in Chattanooga, before the Honorable Susan K. Lee, U.S. Magistrate Judge.

Those charged in the second indictment include: Monica Sha Newman, 38, of Jasper, Tenn.; Mark Anthony Johnson, 33, of Tracy City, Tenn.; Terry Jones, 53, of Crandall, Ga.; Ronald Terry Wilmore, 46, of McMinnville, Tenn.; Tiffany Hadder, 32, of Gruetli Laauger, Tenn.; Nathan Carlton, 40, of Stevenson, Ala.; Rodney Craig Akins, 49, of Dunlap, Tenn.; Jamie Harris, 43, of Whiteside, Tenn.; and Jeremy Toro, 40, of Tracy City, Tenn.

Initial appearances for these individuals, who were arrested on Mar. 25, 2015, are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Thur. Mar. 26, 2015 in U.S. District Court before the Honorable William B. Carter, U.S. Magistrate Judge. Eight of the individuals charged in these indictments are already in custody on other charges and will have initial appearances at later dates.          

In addition to ATF and the Marion County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office, state and local law enforcement agencies who assisted with the arrests include: the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; Tennessee Highway Patrol; Dade County Georgia Sheriff’s Office; Grundy County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office; Jackson County Alabama Sheriff’s Office; Loudon County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office; Murray County Georgia Sheriff’s Office; Sequatchie County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office; Warren County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office; Monteagle Tennessee Police Department; and Chattanooga Tennessee Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Bay will represent the United States.

Members of the public are reminded that these are only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until his or her guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

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