An investigation expanding over one year comes to a halt resulting in multiple arrests for drug offences in Lawrence County. June 6th 2008 Drug Investigators with the Lawrence County Sheriff?s Department Crime Suppression Unit presented multiple cases of felony drug sales and possessions against multiple suspects in Lawrence County. A session of the Lawrence County Grand Jury met on the 6th of June and returned multiple indictments against these suspects.
During the week of the 15th of June extending to the 22nd of June the Lawrence County Sheriff?s Department with assistance from the Lawrenceburg Police Department, Unites States Marshall?s Service and Department of Revenue along with other multiple law enforcement agencies began to serve these indictments as a part of FALCON 2008 (Federal And Local Cops Organized Nationally) as well as other warrants on other wanted felons in Lawrence County. As a result of the drug indictments the following were apprehended: James Collier, Bobby Houser. James C. Hickerson, Cassandra Howard, Billy Tidwell, Katie Tidwell, Kimberly Clifton, Jimmy Kennedy, Tracy Wilburn, Tommy Johnson, Rafael Salsedo, Capucina Young, Azzara Stephenson, James Brazier, Anthony Barnett, Daniel Price, Kimberly Price, Jarrod Carter, Donna Carter, Justin Wiseman, and Carol Wiseman were all arrested on drug related indictments. Still at large and not yet apprehended are Franklin Thornton, Earl England, Christopher Gordon, Chasity Buie Gordon, James Maples, George Griggs, Larry Randolph, and Andrea James. There were 51 other wanted persons arrested on state warrants not including the drug indictments for a total of 72 persons arrested in a 7 day period in Lawrence County alone. As a result of these arrest over 10 pounds of marijuana, 1 indoor grow operation, over $70,000.00 worth of property, 4 vehicles, 2 handguns and numerous other items were seized including U.S. Currency. Over $7,000.00 was collected by the Department of Revenue?s Unauthorized Substance Division for taxing drug dealers on the drugs that were seized as well as sold in accordance with the State of Tennessee?s crack tax laws which require drug dealers to pay a tax on the drugs they sell or possess if over a minimum set amount. Certain drugs are in a higher tax bracket than others depending on the abuse level and danger of the drug. If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of the suspects still at large or any information of drug activity please call the Sheriff?s Office at 762-3646 or the Criminal Investigation Divisions Crime Suppression Unit at 762-1608. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.