ELIZABETHTON, TENN. – An East Tennessee deputy who spent most of a school year on an undercover operation to determine the amount of drug activity in local high schools says it was a difficult first assignment.
In order to keep her cover, Donna Rogan, 22, told the Johnson City Press, she had to temporarily give up some of the most important things in her life: attending church and hanging out with other young adults and friends.
“I am glad I did it,” she said, but added that she would be hesitant to try it again. “It seemed like a lot longer time.”
Rogan spent 10 months posing as a transfer student at four high schools in Carter County schools and fit right into the drug subculture she found. Nine students and five adults were charged as a result of her assignment with the Carter County sheriff’s office.
Sheriff Chris Mathes said he came up with the idea for an undercover operation after hearing complaints about drugs at the schools. He said he met with District Attorney General Tony Clark and they discussed how to proceed, and then launched the investigation.