The drug-related arrests and indictments of 42 people Wednesday will have a ripple effect on drug trafficking in Chattanooga, officials say.

Among the individuals taken to Finley Stadium during the roundup by law enforcement agencies was Councilman John “Duke” Franklin Jr., 49, who was arrested for allegedly helping to launder drug proceeds, among other charges.

“It’s an impact case,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Winne. “It’s going to have a substantial impact on being able to get cocaine into Chattanooga.”

The 42 defendants arrested were named in five different indictments unsealed Wednesday afternoon in U.S. District Court. Mr. Franklin was indicted on three felony charges: money laundering, conspiring to obstruct justice and providing false statements to federal officials.

After a brief appearance hearing before U.S. Magistrate Bill Carter, Mr. Franklin and six of the eight others named in his indictment — several of whom were charged with possessing and distributing cocaine — were released, each signing a $20,000 promise-to-appear document.

They agreed to refrain from committing any crimes, possessing firearms, using alcohol excessively and agreed to submit to random drug tests until their arraignment hearing, scheduled for May 27.

Mr. Franklin, wearing a salmon-colored golf shirt and black trousers, occasionally shook his head and wrinkled his brow as Judge Carter read the indictment, which accuses him of having a false loan document notarized before presenting it to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department.

The allegations are in connection with a March 5 traffic stop by sheriff’s deputies, who found $69,500 in co-defendant Michael Kelley’s vehicle. Indictments against Mr. Kelley state that he intended to use the money to pay for cocaine.

To cover up that the money was being used for drugs, Mr. Kelley asked another co-defendant, Perry Lawrence, to falsely provide a document saying that Mr. Lawrence loaned Mr. Kelley the money, according to the indictment. Mr. Franklin had someone notarize the false loan document and then lied about it when he was contacted by federal agents, according to the indictment.

Mr. Franklin’s attorney, Marty Levitt, said he thinks having eight other people listed on his client’s indictment helps his case because Mr. Franklin is not alleged to have possessed any drugs himself.

“If I understand the indictment correctly, it looks like ... he gave the name of a notary who back-dated a document,” Mr. Levitt said.

Mr. Franklin declined comment as he was escorted out of court by local attorney Walter Williams.

If convicted, Mr. Franklin faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for the money-laundering charge and a maximum sentence of five years for each of the conspiracy and false-statement charges, according to Mr. Winne.

Parole is not available in federal cases although, under certain circumstances, those convicted can get sentences below the minimum allowed, Judge Carter said.

ROUNDUP DETAILS

A number of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies gathered at Finley Stadium before sunrise Wednesday to launch the sweep, which lasted into the drizzly afternoon hours.

Assisting were the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Chattanooga Police Department, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the FBI, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The operation was spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Agency. Rodney G. Benson, special agent in charge of the agency’s Atlanta field division, said cooperation with other law enforcement was key to attacking the community’s drug problem.

“Drugs and money are a lethal combination that helps to breed the very corruption that is evident in this case,” he said in a news release. “Taking down drug trafficking organizations like this one is a good way to help break this unfortunate and sometimes tragic cycle.”

Wednesday’s operation comes just two and a half months after another major drug-trafficking arrest in Hamilton County: Former Sheriff Billy Long.

Mr. Long resigned after being taken into custody Feb. 2. He has pleaded guilty to 27 of the 28 charges against him, including extortion, money laundering and gun and drug charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 18 in U.S. District Court.

FRANKLIN FAMILY HISTORY

Mr. Franklin’s District 5 City Council seat covers Bonny Oaks, part of Brainerd, Dalewood, Kingspoint, Lake Hills and Woodmore precincts.

A Brainerd High School and Hampton University graduate, Mr. Franklin is a member of the Tennessee Municipal League’s board of directors.

During his tenure on the council, which began in 1998, he has garnered attention for his travel expenses and cell phone use. Mr. Franklin had the most out-of-town travel expenses of any council member in 2006, according to a Chattanooga Times Free Press analysis.

He was the most frequent cell phone user in 2006 and in 2007, his bill last year topping $1,748, according to newspaper archives.

Mr. Franklin remains involved in his family’s funeral home business, which first gained notice when his grandfather, G.W. Franklin, became the first black undertaker in Chattanooga in 1894.

Mr. Franklin’s father, John P. Franklin, was elected city education commissioner in 1971. He served four terms as vice mayor and was chairman of the city’s school board before retiring from politics in 1990.

The family ran Franklin-Strickland Funeral Home on McCallie Avenue before opening the John P. Franklin Funeral Home on Dodds Avenue in February.

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