(WBIR) The Hamblen County Sheriff's Office on Friday morning kicked off what authorities have dubbed "Operation Relentless Pursuit," arresting dozens of suspects connected to drug charges.
Officials said the plan behind the operation, which began at 6 a.m., was to round up some 45 suspects. As of 2 p.m. authorities had captured 24 people, rousing many of them from their beds.
The arrests stem from months of investigations and undercover operations.
"Today's arrests include indictments for selling prescription pills, methamphetamine as well as Suboxone and Subutex," Hamblen County Sheriff Esco Jarnagin said in a statement. "It is the sheriff's mission to rid our streets and community of this illicit drug trade that is hindering our community."
He added that his department is "committed to helping our town thrive," and that "this roundup is a message to all drug dealers in our county."
"We will find you, it may not be today, it may not be tomorrow but we are watching you," the sheriff said.
The operation will continue throughout the weekend.
The following so far have been charged:
- Jason M. Hayes 38 of Morristown charged with one count of Sale/Del of Schedule II, one count of Sale/Del Schedule III with a $30,000 bond.
- Veronica A. Raines 30 of Russellville charged with 2 counts of Sale/Del of Schedule II, one count of Sale/Del schedule IV with a $30,000 bond.
- Linda Sue Greene 53 of Morristown charged with 4 counts of Sale/Del of Schedule II with a $50.000 bond.
- Obie Allen Barnes 38 of Morristown charged with one count Sale/Del of Schedule II, one count of Sale/Del of Schedule III with a $30,000 bond.
- Mark E. Lane 30 of Morristown charged with 2 counts of Sale/Del of Schedule II, one count of Sale/Del of Schedule I to include heroin. He was also found with a stolen loaded handgun and is being held on a $100,000 bond.
- Kristen Carpenter 31 of Morristown charged with one count of Sale/Del of Schedule II with a $20,000 bond.
- Ashley N. Crockett 34 of Morristown charged with one count of Sale/Del of Schedule III with a $10,000 bond.
- Gary Chad Dalton 38 of Morristown, charged with one count of Sale/Del of Schedule I which included "mushrooms" with a $50,000 bond.
- Chris Foulks 39 of Morristown charged with one count of Sale/Del of Schedule III, one count Sale/Del Schedule II with a 115,000 bond.
- Mickey E. Rines 57 of Morristown charged with two counts of Sale/Del of Schedule II, one count of Sale/Del of Schedule III with a $30,000 bond.
- Justin D. Bentley 22 of Morristown charged with two counts of Sale/Del of Schedule II
- James C. Hale III 38 of Morristown charged with two counts Sale/Del of Schedule II with a $50,000 bond.
- Jason Mangum 35 of Morristown charged with one count Sale/Del of Schedule II
- Krystal Sexton 34 of Morristown charged with one count Delivery Counterfeit Substance and one count Sale/Del of Schedule II
- Cary Winegar 38 of Morristown charged with two counts Sale/Del of Schedule II
- Jason Harris 36 of Whitesburg charged with one count Sale/Del of Schedule VI
- Cindy Davis 42 of Morristown charged with two counts Sale/Del of Schedule II
- Christopher E. James 41 of Morristown charged with two counts Sale/Del of Schedule II
- Ricky Davis 43 of Morristown charged with two counts of Sale/Del of Schedule II
- Hilary Ivy 38 of Morristown charged with two counts of Sale/Del of Schedule II
- William Musick 32 of Morristown charged with one count Sale/Del of Schedule II
- Michael T. Hurst 33 of Morristown charged with one count Sale of a Synthetic Analogue-Ecstasy
- Jonathan Mayns 29 of Morristown charged with two counts Sale/Del of Schedule II
- Angela D. Foulks 34 of Morristown charged with 2 counts of Sale/Del Schedule III
- Megan Lawson 23 of Morristown charged with 2 counts of Sale/Del Schedule III
- Melissa G. Johnson 34 of Morristown charged with Sale/Del Schedule II
