DEFENDANTS
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms led the investigation, with assistance from several federal and local agencies. Named in the indictment are: David Henderson, 45, of Wildwood, Ga. Dennis Reed, 44, of South Pittsburg, Tenn. Charles Meeks, 41, of Tracy City, Tenn. Christopher Brian Janeway, 41, of South Pittsburg, Tenn. James Allen Sexton, 50, of Chattanooga, Tenn. James Ray Pritchett, 36, of South Pittsburg, Tenn. Jamie Harris, 43, of Whiteside, Tenn. Jason Boston, 35, of South Pittsburg, Tenn. Jeremy Toro, 40, of Tracy City, Tenn. Kelly Nance, 34, of Jasper, Tenn. Kevin, Denney, 40, of South Pittsburg, Tenn. Mark Anthony Johnson, 33, of Tracy City, Tenn. Michael Patterson, 40, of Philadelphia, Tenn. Monica Sha Newman, 38, of Jasper, Tenn. Nathan Carlton, 40, of Stevenson, Ala. Robert Graham, 46, of Trenton, Ga. Rodney Craig Akins, 49, of Dunlap, Tenn. Ronald Green Jr., 49, of Jasper, Tenn. Ronald Terry Wilmore, 46, of McMinnville, Tenn. Steve Hankins, 58, of Jasper, Tenn. Terry Jones, 53, of Crandall, Ga. Tiffany Hadder, 32, of Gruetli-Laager, Tenn.
Many of the 22 men and women arrested in what authorities describe as a three-state, nine-county methamphetamine trafficking ring made their first appearance in federal court Thursday.
Shackled and in jumpsuits, the first group appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William B. Carter. Monica Sha Newman, 38, put her head in her hands and wept as Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Bay listed possible penalties.
Most of those named in the indictment face a minimum of 10 years in federal prison. Others, like Newman, have prior drug charges and face minimum sentences of 20 yearsor more.
A second group appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan K. Lee later that afternoon. Defendants in both indictments face charges including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. All entered pleas of “not guilty” during Thursday’s hearing.
Trials were initially set for June 2 and May 27, and will be heard by U.S. District Judges Harry S. Mattice and Pamela L. Reeves.
Tiffany Hadder, 32, of Gruetli-Laager, Tenn., and Rodney Craig Akins, 49, of Dunlap, Tenn., were released on bond after agreeing to several conditions set out by the court. Charles Meeks, 41, of Tracy City, Tenn., was recommended for release, but Bay asked for more time to prepare before the possibility of bond is discussed. Meeks will appear in court again Tuesday.
Much of the activity listed in both indictments happened in Marion County, Tenn., but prosecutors say the conspiracy stretched into Georgia and Alabama as well.
Contact Claire Wiseman at cwiseman@timesfreepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @clairelwiseman.