Eleven arrests and 615 pounds of pot
A joint investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Maynardville Police Department, 4th Judicial District Drug Task Force, Knoxville Police Department, 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration has resulted in the indictments of multiple individuals on drug-related charges.
In October 2016, TBI Special Agents with the Drug Investigation Division, working alongside other agencies, began investigating reports of a drug trafficking operation that involved the distribution of large amounts of marijuana throughout Upper East Tennessee.
Agents and investigators developed information that identified multiple individuals who were involved in the conspiracy. During the course of the investigation, Agents seized approximately 615 pounds of marijuana along with numerous firearms.
“This operation exemplifies TBI’s commitment to target all dealers in Tennessee,” says Drug Investigation Division Assistant Director T.J. Jordan. “It doesn’t matter what type of illegal drugs you’re pedaling, or if you are a big or small fish in the drug trafficking industry, TBI Special Agents are looking for you.”
On Nov. 15, the Union County Grand Jury returned indictments charging twelve individuals with a variety of drug-related offenses.
At the time of this release, authorities had arrested eleven of the individuals, including:
• Kelvin Wood (DOB 3-13-62, Luttrell, . Bond: $75,000): one count of Conspiracy to Commit Sale and Delivery of Marijuana over 300 Pounds, one count of Possession of Marijuana over ½ ounce, one count of the Manufacture of Marijuana over 20 Plants, 2 counts of Possession of Stolen Property.
• Anthony Hill (DOB 9-29-63, Luttrell, . Bond: $75,000): one count of Conspiracy to Commit Sale and Delivery of Marijuana over 300 Pounds, one count of Possession of Marijuana over ½ ounce, one count of the Manufacture of Marijuana over 20 Plants.
• Michael Hensley (DOB 5-7-82, Luttrell, . Bond: $50,000): one count of Conspiracy to Commit Sale and Delivery of Marijuana over 300 Pounds, one count of the Sale of Marijuana over ½ ounce, one count of the Delivery of Marijuana over ½ ounce
• Harley Lee Tharp (DOB 3-1-57, Luttrell, . Bond: $75,000): one count of Conspiracy to Commit Sale and Delivery of Marijuana over 300 Pounds, one count of the Sale of Marijuana over ½ ounce, one count of the Delivery of Marijuana over ½ ounce
• Saul Sanchez Martinez (DOB 9-8-79, Knoxville, . Bond: $75,000): one count of Conspiracy to Commit Sale and Delivery of Marijuana over 300 Pounds, one count of the Sale of Marijuana over ½ ounce, one count of the Delivery of Marijuana over ½ ounce
• James E. Smith (DOB 11-26-54, Luttrell, . Bond: $50,000): one count of Conspiracy to Commit Sale and Delivery of Marijuana over 300 Pounds, one count of Possession of Marijuana
• Tony Beeler (DOB 9-3-66, Corryton, . Bond: $10,000): one count of Conspiracy to Commit Sale and Delivery of Marijuana over 300 Pounds, one count of Possession of Marijuana
• Julio Carmona Godinez (DOB 2-20-79, Powder Springs, . Bond: $250,000): one count of Conspiracy to Commit Sale and Delivery of Marijuana over 300 pounds, one count of the Delivery of Marijuana over 70 Pounds
• Abraham Andrade Cruz (DOB 6-20-91, Powder Springs, . Bond: $250,000): one count of Conspiracy to Commit Sale and Delivery of Marijuana over 300 pounds, one count of the Delivery of Marijuana over 70 Pounds
• Conley Tharp (DOB 2-25-55, Luttrell, . Bond: $25,000): one count of Conspiracy to Commit Sale and Delivery of Marijuana over 300 Pounds
• Gregory Corum (DOB 10-23-58, Luttrell, ): one count of Conspiracy to Commit Sale and Delivery of Marijuana over 300 Pounds, 16 counts of the Sale of Marijuana over ½ ounce, 16 counts of the delivery of Marijuana over ½ ounce