KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Fifteen people, 13 of whom are from East Tennessee, are facing multiple charges as a result of an investigation led by multiple law enforcement agencies, according to the Department of Justice.
On Wednesday, a federal grand jury returned a 19-count indictment against the following defendants:
- Todd Evans, 31, of Pontiac, Michigan
- Joshua Vanriette, 38, of Pontiac, Michigan
- Gary Shadden, 70, of Rockwood
- Henri Ewing, 34, of Rockwood
- James Pass, 56, of Rockwood
- Traythan Edwards, 23, of Rockwood
- Robert Fugate, 53, of Spring City
- Charlotte Brown, 53, of Spring City
- Amber Jackson, 33, of Harriman
- Nicholas Eskridge, 46, of Harriman
- Christopher Gilmore, 52, of Harriman
- Kristy Murray of Harriman
- Bobby Robinette, 44, of Kingston
- Liberty Warfield, 40, Kingston
- Misty Walden, 46, of Kingston
According to the indictment from the DOJ, all are charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Multiple are charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, as well as other fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine offenses.
The DOJ said Evans, Vanriette, Ewing and Pass are each charged with firearms offenses, and Evans, Vanriette and Jackson are charged with a conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Jackson, Walden, Shadden, Brown, Gilmore, Edwards and Warfield had their initial appearances on Thursday and all pleaded not guilty. The remaining defendants will have their initial appearances at a later date, according to DOJ.
The case has been set for trial on April 30.
According to the DOJ, if convicted:
- Evans, Vanriette and Ewing each face a minimum of 20 years to life in prison
- Jackson, Murray and Pass each face a minimum of 15 years to life in prison
- Eskridge and Robinette each face a minimum of 10 years to life in prison
- Shadden, Walden and Gilmore each face a minimum of 5 to 40 years in prison
- Edwards and Warfield each face up to 20 years in prison