PUTNAM COUNTY, TN – Sheriff Eddie Farris announced today, Operation “March Madness” was launched by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office after the grand jury indictment of multiple individuals.
The indictments come after the PCSO Drug Task Force Unit and other law enforcement partners began an investigation approximately twelve months ago regarding the sell and use of illegal narcotics in Putnam County. This county-wide, inter-agency operation resulted in the arrest of fourteen individuals today, nine additional indictments were for individuals already in custody by law enforcement when served with the indictments.
Deputies from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the 13th Judicial District Drug Task Force, along with other assisting agencies including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC), Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), High Intensity Drug Task Force (HIDTA), United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Marshals Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) carried out the operation.
Sheriff Eddie Farris said, “This operation is the result of months long investigation and the relentless work of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Drug Task Force Unit. Your Sheriff’s Office will continue dedicating necessary resources to combat illegal narcotic activity in our county. As always, this criminal activity is one of the highest priorities, this type of criminal behavior activity makes up the majority of individuals incarcerated at the Putnam County Jail. We will continue keeping our community protected and safe, but this must be addressed frequently and aggressively.
“In the last year our overdose rates have doubled, and we have seen a significant increase in the amount of illegal narcotics all over the nation – Putnam County is no different and I believe this is a direct result of the failed polices and actions on our nation’s Southern border.”
Fourteen (14) individuals were arrested on Thursday as of 3:00PM, and several types of drugs, including methamphetamine, schedule II prescription pain pills, and heroin that tested positive for fentanyl, were discovered. The arrests today resulted in the seizure of those narcotics and the seizure of cash, drug paraphernalia, and other items commonly used in the illegal sale or use of narcotics.
The following subjects were arrested and charged:
• Issac Scott Blanton, 37, of Sparta, TN – charged with: schedule I drugs: manufacture, deliver, sell, possession (x2); Schedule II Drugs – Manufacture, Deliver, Sell, Possession (x2). Bond $600,000.
• Brittney Lynn Bryant, 21, of Rickman, TN – charged with: schedule II drugs – Manufacture, Deliver, Sell, Possession (x2). Bond $50,000.
• David Michael Fetterolf, 37, of Cookeville, TN – charged with: Schedule II drugs – Manufacture, Deliver, Sell, Possession. Bond $40,000.
• Scottie Ray Hamilton, 46, of Hillham, TN – charged with: Meth – Manufacture, Deliver, Sale, Possession with Intent to Sell (x4). Bond $45,000.
• Gregory Bryan Hutchings, 51, of Sparta, TN – charged with: Schedule I drugs – manufacture, deliver, sell, possession (x2); Schedule II drugs – Manufacture, Deliver, Sell, Possession (x2) Bond $800,000.
• Lashawn Denise Johnson, 50, of Cookeville, TN – charged with: Schedule II drugs – Manufacture, Deliver, Sell, Possession (x2). Bond $40,000.
• Phillip Paul Jones, 38, of Monterey, TN – charged with: Schedule II drugs – Manufacture, Deliver, Sell, Possession (x4). Bond $80,000.
• Randy Fred Langford, 52, of Cookeville, TN – charged with: Manufacturing Controlled Substance, Schedule II Drugs (x4). Bond $45,000.
• James Leggett, 74, of Cookeville, TN – charged with: Schedule II drugs: Manufacture, Deliver, Sell, Possession of controlled substance (x8). Bond $85,000.
• Brian Glenn Roberts, 42, of Cookeville, TN – charged with: Schedule II Drugs – Manufacture, Deliver, Sell, Possession. Bond $400,000. In addition: Meth – Manufacture, Deliver, Sale, Possession with Intent (x2), Schedule IV Drugs – Manufacture, Deliver, Sell, Possession, Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia Uses & Activities. Bond $400,00.
• Ashley Sellers, 30, of Silver Point, TN – charged with: Meth-300 grams or more, Methamphetamine Manufacture, Deliver, Sell, Possession, Possession of Firearm, Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia, Schedule II Drugs – Manufacture, Deliver, Sell, Possession (x2). Bond $1,000,000.
• Adrianna Wallace, 27, of Cookeville, TN – charged with: Counterfeit Controlled Substance. Bond $30,000.
• Jacob Thomas Wallace, 28, of Cookeville, TN – charged with: Counterfeit Controlled Substance. Bond $30,000.
The following subject was picked up on an active warrant during the operation:
• Austin Scott Payton, 21, of Crossville, TN – charged with: General Sessions Capias for Failure to Appear or Pay for Violation of Probation.
The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by members of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force. Sheriff Farris expressed his appreciation to citizens of the community for providing information to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. He encourages anyone with information about illegal drug activity to call the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office at 931-528-8484 or the Drug Tip Hotline at 931- 525-METH (6384).
