KNOXVILLE -- Twenty-three people have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Knoxville charging all with oxycodone trafficking and money laundering conspiracies.
As of Thursday those arrested are: John Wesley Goss, 58; Eva Hallene McNelley, 59; Joey Eugene Brewer, 30; Christopher Shannon Carroll, 37; Katrina Elaine Carroll, 33; Jeffrey Wade Fine, 35; Amy Renee Shillings, 41; Russell Anthony Walters, 31; Stephen Eugene Williams, 36; Bobby Lee Martin, 61; Jeremiah J. Cooley, 35; Richard E. Goldberg, 29; James Charles Luffman, 41; Samuel Houston Newcome, 31; Montique Denise Chandler, 36; Tawny Michelle Inman, 22; Debbie Colleen Stooksbury, 40; Johnny Wayne Watts, 32; Cynthia Kay Wheeler, 51; and Timothy Guy Wright, 49, all of Roane County, Tenn.
On Wednesday and Thursday, 19 of those arrested appeared in court before U.S. Magistrate Judges H. Bruce Guyton and C. Clifford Shirley and pleaded not guilty to the charges in the indictment, which alleges that they conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, and conspired to commit money laundering offenses. All remain in custody, and a trial has been set for Aug. 28 in U.S. District Court in Knoxville before Judge Thomas A. Varlan.
The 19 individuals who made court appearances were advised that deaths are alleged to have resulted from the use of oxycodone in connection with the drug conspiracy, and thus, some could face life in prison, while others could face 20 years to life in prison.
Agents and officers of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Rockwood Police Department, Kingston Police Department and nontask force narcotics detectives with the Roane County Sheriff's Office played key roles in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy L. Stone will represent the United States.