Three charged in McMinn County meth, weapons bust

Three people, a man and woman from Sweetwater and another man from Philadelphia in Loudon County were booked on a string of drug and gun charges in a search, according to McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy.
Three people, a man and woman from Sweetwater and another man from Philadelphia in Loudon County were booked on a string of drug and gun charges in a search, according to McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy.
photo Jenny Burris
photo Joel Lynn
photo Nicholas Robinette

A caller who saw suspicious activity at a home west of Niota, Tenn., on Wednesday led McMinn County deputies to a stash of cash, drugs and guns.

Three people, a man and woman from Sweetwater and another man from Philadelphia in Loudon County, were booked on a string of drug and gun charges, according to McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy.

Guy said in a statement that Deputy Paul Johnson and detectives Jared Price and Josh Rhodes were sent to investigate after a caller early Wednesday reported seeing people carrying guns and televisions into the home on County Road 162, a remote dead-end west of Interstate 75.

The officers found the trio at the house and discovered one person was wanted on a warrant. Deputies also found $4,957 in cash, several firearms and almost a quarter-pound of methamphetamine with a street value of almost $5,000, Guy said.

"It was a combination of citizens making a good report and some good police work," Guy said. "The officers followed up on their suspicions and what was being presented to them. Something didn't look right, and they were able to uncover everything."

Jenny Burris, 23, of Sweetwater, was charged on a warrant with reckless endangerment. She also was charged with possession of a handgun by a convicted felon; possession of Schedule II drugs for resale and three counts of unlawful possession of a weapon. She is being held on a $92,000 bond.

Joel Lynn, 28, of Philadelphia, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia; theft over $10,000; possession of Schedule II drugs for resale and three counts of possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a violent felony. He is being held on a $61,000 bond.

Nicholas Robinette, 26, of Sweetwater, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of schedule II drugs for resale and three counts of possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a violent felony. He is being held on $63,000 bond.

Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or twitter.com/BenBenton or www.facebook.com/ben.benton1 or 423-757-6569.

photo Site of McMinn County weapons and drug bust.

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