Two separate narcotic investigations conducted by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office led to the arrest of a man at the Microtel Inn in Chattanooga and another in Ooltewah, according to a Thursday news release by the office.
Detectives executed search warrants involving the manufacture and distribution of narcotics, J. Matt Lea, the Sheriff's Office spokesperson, said in a Thursday news release.
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On Wednesday, deputies arrested Patrick Lamar Tory Jr., 28, at the Microtel Inn & Suites on McCutcheon Rd in Chattanooga at 7:30 p.m.
Tory was taken into custody when officers arrived at the Microtel and he identified himself to deputies. During his arrest, deputies found almost $9,000 in cash in his pocket, according to an affidavit filed in court by law enforcement.
When deputies asked the front desk agent to provide them with a key to Tory's room, the agent refused, causing the door to "be breached with a ram," the affidavit said.
Photo Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office / Patrick Lamar Tory Jr.Deputies found approximately 38 grams of suspected fentanyl, 27 grams of marijuana, 30 grams of assorted pills, $14, 200 in cash, a gun, ammunition and one bottle of medication.
Tory was charged by deputies with one count of possession of a controlled substance, one count of drugs for resale, one count of possession of a firearm during a felony and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office / Money and items seized during the arrest of Patrick Lamar Tory Jr. on Aug. 23 at the Microtel Inn & SuitesTory is being held at the Silverdale Detention Center and is scheduled to appear before Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Alex McVeagh on Monday.
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On Thursday morning, Adio Rashaad Gray, 42, was arrested at his residence at the 6600 block of Flagstone Drive in Ooltewah shortly after 8 a.m., according to the arrest affidavit.
Photo Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office / Adio Rashaad GrayAs investigators searched the residence, they found evidence of marijuana and mushrooms growing, according to the affidavit.
"The grow was completely operational with ventilation, lighting and irrigation systems which were all contained within the same room of the garage," the affidavit said.
Officers also found a small container with sprouting seedlings, according to the affidavit.
Gray was in possession of approximately 5 pounds of marijuana, approximately 2 grams of THC edible candies, approximately 327 grams of THC wax, approximately 17 grams of methamphetamine, 60 Xanax pills and 4 Ecstasy pills, according to the affidavit.
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Gray was arrested and charged by deputies with one count of possession of methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm during a felony, three counts of possession of drugs for resale and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Gray is being held at Silverdale Detention Center and is scheduled to appear before Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Christine M. Sell on Nov. 1.
"The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office is committed to pursuing those who bring and distribute narcotics into our communities," Sheriff-Elect Austin Garrett said in the Thursday news release. "Our detectives and deputies work diligently to investigate and prosecute those responsible."
Contact La Shawn Pagán at lpagan@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476. Follow her on Twitter @LaShawnPagan.
Photo Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office / items seized by the sheriff’s office at Adio Rashaad Gray’s residence in Ooltewah on Thursday morning