The Brainerd Army store is located on Brainerd Road in Chattanooga.
Brainerd Army Store worker sentenced in meth case
The first of two brothers charged in federal court with selling meth-making chemicals out of the Brainerd Army Store spent more time awaiting trial than he will in prison.
On Monday, Tony Dewayne Honeycutt was sentenced to five months in prison and two years of supervised release in a hearing before U.S. District Judge Harry S. "Sandy" Mattice.
Tony Honeycutt could be called to testify against his brother, Terry Michael Honeycutt, 49, who faces a Jan. 21 trial on similar charges from the same case.
They were charged with selling iodine while knowing it would be used to make methamphetamine. A revised indictment of Terry Honeycutt in a hearing on Nov. 27 removed a mandatory minimum sentence if he is convicted of the sales charges.
Terry Honeycutt faces a maximum sentence of 20 years if convicted.
At the November hearing he deferred comments to his attorney, Chris Townley. Townley said at the time that he expects Terry Honeycutt will be called to testify. By which side he couldn't say.
Prosecutors also are seeking forfeiture of $269, 751. They contend that that amount is the proceeds from sales of Polar Pure, a water disinfectant containing iodine, which they allege the brothers sold on at least six occasions from 2009 to 2010.
Court documents link the sales to 14 previous meth-related cases and indicate that defendants in those cases shared investigative information in the Honeycutt case.
Charges dropped in 2012 slaying
Murder and robbery charges were dropped Monday against a 35-year-old Chattanooga man in connection with a 2012 slaying.
Shermaine Menifee was arrested days after Leslie Townsend was killed in an Oct. 8, 2012, shooting in front of his mother's 2302 E. 14th St. home shortly after 11 p.m.
Menifee was in custody until September, when he was freed on his own recognizance. He had faced a trial today on charges of first-degree murder, attempted especially aggravated robbery and possession of a firearm with a violent felony conviction.
His attorney, Kevin Loper, said last week that DNA testing returned with no link to his client.
But, Loper said, DNA did match a key witness in the case -- Justin Thurman, 24.
Thurman testified in a preliminary hearing that he and Menifee went to see Townsend to buy marijuana and Menifee shot Townsend. He also said that Menifee told him to get rid of some clothing, the same clothing that matched his DNA and not Menifee's.
Police have not arrested Thurman in connection with Townsend's death. He is in custody on recent, separate aggravated robbery charges.
Compiled by staff writer Todd South at tsouth@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6347. Follow him on Twitter @tsouthCTFP.