MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) — Authorities announced Tuesday that more than two dozen people have been indicted after a multi-agency operation disrupted what leaders described as a "significant criminal enterprise."
According to the Murfreesboro Police Department, the nearly two-year investigation led to the indictment of 33 people for drug trafficking, gang activity, and firearm offenses.
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As of Tuesday, 27 suspects named in the indictment have been taken into custody. Meanwhile, outstanding warrants have reportedly been issued for the remaining six suspects.
"The removal of these dangerous criminals off the streets of Murfreesboro and the Middle Tennessee area makes it safer for families, businesses, and our future generation," said MPD'S Public Information Officer Larry Flowers.
Officials said the investigation began in 2023 following the overdose death of a Murfreesboro man. By early 2024, investigators reportedly identified multiple suspects connected to the overdose death, which led to search warrants in Murfreesboro and large quantities of fentanyl being confiscated.
During a press conference about the operation, Flowers stated that approximately 15 pounds of fentanyl, which he claimed is enough to kill three million people, was seized as part of the investigation.
As the investigation expanded, authorities reportedly uncovered a network of high-level fentanyl distributors operating out of Nashville, supplying Murfreesboro and surrounding communities with deadly drugs. Then, by late 2024, alleged gang members within the drug trafficking operation were identified.
Authorities added that detectives with the Metro Nashville Police Department and Murfreesboro Police Department intercepted plans by members to commit first-degree murder in 2025, preventing a potential homicide.
"Further investigation revealed cartel involvement with individuals being arrested for attempting to deliver large quantities of fentanyl to areas in Middle Tennessee, including Murfreesboro, as well as the discovery of a fentanyl lab in Nashville and the seizure of additional narcotics," stated the MPD in a release about the operation.
During the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized the following:
- 15 pounds of fentanyl (powder & pills)
- 2.5 pounds of methamphetamine
- 2.1 pounds of heroin
- 2 pounds of cocaine
- 61 firearms, including automatic weapons and guns linked to homicides
- Body armors and suppressors
- 15 vehicles, at least three of which were stolen
- $175,000 in U.S. currency
Police said 33 people are named in a multi-count indictment on charges ranging from second-degree homicide to fentanyl distribution.
The MPD identified the following individuals and their charges as:
- Gregory Holt, 29: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl
- Chandler Steward, 26: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl
- Mark Buchanan, 28: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl
- Adarrius Howard, 26 : Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl
- Bryant Parker, 27: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl
- Deborah Woodard, 29: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl
- Jalisha Davis, 33: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl, three counts of manufacture, deliver, sell, possess with intent, possession of firearm with intent to go armed during a dangerous felony, manufacture, deliver, sell, possess schedule II, Schedule II drugs fentanyl, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a dwelling for drug use
- Thomas Dixon, 33: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, three counts of manufacture, deliver, sell, possess with intent, possession of firearm with intent to go armed during a dangerous felony, manufacture, deliver, sell, possess Schedule II, Schedule II drugs fentanyl, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a dwelling for drug use
- Brandon Littman, 29: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl
- Kaitlin Gann, 26: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl
- Evan Overstreet, 24: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl
- Keith Denton, 66: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl, second-degree murder: fentanyl, manufacture, deliver, sell, six counts of possess Schedule II Fentanyl, six counts of maintaining a dwelling for drug use, simple possession of methamphetamine
- Michael Denton, 33: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl, second-degree murder: fentanyl, manufacture, deliver, sell, six counts of possess Schedule II Fentanyl, six counts of maintaining a dwelling for drug use, simple possession of methamphetamine
- Omar Ponce, 21: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl
- Rickey Holman, 37: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl
- Ernesto Duran- Hernandez, 38: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl, manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl, maintaining a dwelling for drug use
- Jesus Mendoza-Viera, 27: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl, manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl, maintaining a dwelling for drug use
- Elliot Rutledge, 42: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl
- Anthony Chambers, 22: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl
- Justin Brake, 38: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl
- Preston Davis, 31: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl
- Harlen Zirker Jr, 24: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl
- Jobie Elliott, 35: Charged with second-degree murder: fentanyl, conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl, manufacture, deliver, sell, possess schedule II: fentanyl
- Ashley Peters, 37: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl, attempted possession Schedule II Drugs: fentanyl
- Marari Belin, 39: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl
- Gabriella Wolcott, 31: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl
- Brittany Sledd, 43: Charged with conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, sell, possess fentanyl
"This investigation has proved yet again that there are individuals right here in our state who are trafficking deadly drugs, firearms, and have absolutely no regard for human life," said Darryl Richardson, assistant director of TBI's Drug Investigation Division. "Let me make this crystal clear, we are not backing down. We are using every tool at our disposal and we are going do everything it takes to stop these dangerous criminals."
Several agencies—including the Murfreesboro Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administrations' Tactical Diversion Unit, Metro Nashville Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Tennessee Highway Patrol, Smyrna Police Department, La Vergne Police Department, and the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office—all assisted in the investigation.
No additional information was immediately released.
from WKRN News 2 https://ift.tt/9mkJlsV
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