Decatur County Drug Operation Leads to 17 Indictments, 11 Arrests
Nine-month undercover drug investigation in Decatur County results in 17 grand jury indictments and 11 arrests in multi-agency operation.
DECATURVILLE, TENNESSEE — A nine-month undercover investigation targeting illegal drug sales across Decatur County resulted in 17 grand jury indictments and arrests of nearly two dozen suspects, authorities announced Tuesday.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation led “Operation River Walk,” a joint effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies that culminated in arrests on May 5th following grand jury action.
Multi-Agency Collaboration
The operation brought together special agents from the TBI’s Drug Investigation Division, the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, the Huntingdon Police Department, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department, the Scotts Hill Police Department, the Parsons Police Department, the McNairy County Sheriff’s Office, the 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the Drug Enforcement Agency.
A Decatur County Grand Jury returned indictments charging 17 individuals on May 5th. Authorities then obtained arrest warrants for seven additional suspects, bringing the total number of defendants to 24.
Arrests and Charges
Eleven of the 24 suspects were in custody at the time of the announcement, facing charges primarily related to the sale and delivery of Schedule II controlled substances including methamphetamine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone.
Kelly Lavern Black of Scotts Hill faces one count of sale and delivery of methamphetamine and is being held without bond. Heather June Smith of Parsons was charged with one count of methamphetamine sale and delivery, with bond set at $100,000.
Joseph Dale Lindsey of Reagan faces one count of oxycodone sale and delivery charges with a $50,000 bond. Charles Kenneth Smith Jr. of Decaturville was charged with methamphetamine sale and delivery in a drug-free zone and is being held without bond.
Jeffery Wayne McPeake of Scotts Hill and Arles Wayne Maness of Decaturville each face one count of methamphetamine sale and delivery, both with $100,000 bonds. Michael Floyd Brewer of Decaturville was charged with one count of methamphetamine sale and delivery and is being held without bond.
Multiple Counts and Ongoing Investigation
Jesse Clayton Tinnin of Decaturville faces three counts of methamphetamine sale and delivery and is being held without bond. Randall Dewayne Roach, also of Decaturville, was charged with three counts of methamphetamine sale and delivery with a $200,000 bond.
Anthony Joseph Camper of Scotts Hill faces one count of hydrocodone sale and delivery and is being held without bond. Nicholas Elijah Clifton of Parsons was charged with one count of methamphetamine sale and delivery.
The operation shows the ongoing collaborative effort between state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking in rural Tennessee communities. Authorities continue searching for the remaining 13 suspects named in the indictments and warrants.
