Two alleged marijuana dealers in Warren and Cannon County have been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury stemming from a two and a half year old undercover investigation by the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, the Southeastern Drug Enforcement Agency, the Middle Tennessee Drug Enforcement Agency, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Agency, and the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
48 year old Jeffory Carl Young of Short Mountain Road, Woodbury and 53 year old Morris Edward Roller of Lance Road, McMinnville are each indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute over 2,200 pounds of marijuana and a multi-count indictment for distribution of marijuana.
Young, a convicted felon, was arrested in a traffic stop in Manchester on Wednesday. Authorities found and seized some handguns at his home.
Roller was picked up at his Warren County farm on Wednesday. He was in possession of a gun at the time of his arrest.
Both are in federal custody in Hamilton County.
Authorities have seized 31 parcels of land, equaling 1900 acres with a tax appraisal of $2.5 million; more than $10,000 in cash; and over ten pounds of marijuana.
Investigators also confiscated two farm tractors, a round hay baler, semi-truck, a ton truck, and a bob cat loader, all believed to have been purchased with proceeds from the sale of drugs.
The Tennessee Department of Revenue has also levied a $60,000 tax against the two men, which they will have to pay.
Warren County Investigator Patrick Ray says more arrests are forthcoming as a result of this investigation, including some from DeKalb County.

The DeKalb County Commission Monday night adopted a resolution calling for a referendum seeking authorization from the people of DeKalb County to increase the local option sales tax in DeKalb County from the current rate of 1.5% to the maximum of 2.75%.
The question, as recommended by the county budget committee, will be put before the voters of DeKalb County on the August 3rd General Election ballot.
County Mayor Mike Foster says under a 1967 agreement that still exists between the county and the city governments of Smithville, Alexandria, Liberty, and Dowelltown, a majority of the local option sales tax revenues that are generated help fund the school system. “If agreeable to the cities and the school board, this additional money, would go to the local purpose fund to finance school debt service and operations. It is projected to raise approximately $850,000 in additional sales taxes. Part of this money would go to the cities, but if they continue the current agreement, they would be contributing to the local purpose fund up to 66% of the new revenue to schools”.
Of the 95 Tennessee Counties, 33 have a local option sales tax rate of 2.75%, 39 have a rate of 2.25%, six counties have a rate of 2% and 14 counties have a rate of 2.50%. Cannon County’s rate is 1.75%. Only DeKalb and Johnson County have a local option sales tax rate of 1.5%.
Foster says by increasing the rate, the county government would be in a better position financially, should the state government decide to keep a portion of the local option sales tax revenue, as is being considered.; and he says, more sales tax revenue could keep the county from having to enact drastic increases in property tax rates in the future.
Proponents of the increase also argue that consumers, whether they realize it or not, are already paying more sales taxes when they shop in other counties, where the rates are higher and tax money spent in those counties goes to fund their local governments and schools.
The overall sales tax rate in DeKalb County is 8.5%, including 7% state and 1.5% local.
If approved, the new rate for DeKalb County would be 9.75%, including 7% state and 2.75% local.

Four people were sentenced in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Monday after entering pleas to charges against them in negotiated settlements.
44 year old Kenny Ray Herman pleaded guilty to two charges of sale of a schedule II controlled substance and three charges of sale of a schedule III controlled substance.
Judge Lillie Ann Sells sentenced him to a total of six years. He will serve one year in the county jail and then be on probation for the remainder of the term in community corrections. The sentence is to run consecutively to another case against him.
Herman was fined $2,000 and must make restitution of $585 to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department/TBI.
He was given credit for 150 days of jail time served.
25 year old Misty Dawn Barnes Hesson pleaded guilty to three counts of casual exchange and received a suspended sentence of 11 months and 29 days in each case to run consecutively with each other and consecutive to a General Sessions Court case against her. Hesson was fined a total of $750 and must make restitution of $295.
50 year old Jeana Annette Hesson pleaded guilty to sale of a schedule II controlled substance and received a four year sentence, all suspended to probation. She was fined $2,000 and must make restitution of $300 to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department. Hesson must also undergo an alcohol and drug assessment and perform 100 hours of community service.
Billie Green Sullivan, charged with two counts of sale and delivery of a schedule III controlled substance, was granted pre-trial diversion for a period of two years. She must undergo an alcohol and drug assessment and perform 100 hours of community service.
Monday was also arraignment day for those indicted by the Grand Jury earlier this month.
Most of those defendants will be back in court on June 2nd .

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are probing the fatal shooting of a Smithville man in Dowelltown Sunday evening.
Dead is 29 year old David Crook of New Home Road, Smithville.
Crook, the driver of an SUV, was found slumped over in the vehicle on East Main Street in Dowelltown, having suffered a gunshot wound to the head by a 40 caliber handgun.
The man who had been in the vehicle with him, Greg Patton of Smithville, apparently told authorities that Crook had been distraught and suicidal.
Sheriff Lloyd Emmons says a thorough investigation is being conducted but preliminary indications are that this may have been a self-inflicted shooting.
According to Sheriff Emmons, Crook and Patton had spent the weekend in Bowling Green Kentucky, where they attended a flea market, and had stopped off at the residence of Crook’s sister on Circle Drive in Dowelltown on the way back home.
Sheriff Emmons says after the visit to the Dowelltown residence, the two men got back in the SUV and drove away. He says Crook, who was driving, pulled over on East Main Street where the shooting occurred.
After the shooting, Patton ran to a nearby residence to call 911. He then ran back to the SUV.. A motorist, who came upon the scene, saw Patton taking some things from the vehicle and then flee on foot.
Law enforcement officers conducted a ground and aerial search for Patton and he was spotted from a helicopter about a half mile from where the shooting occurred. He surrendered without incident.
Sheriff Emmons says Patton remains in custody pending a further investigation by the Sheriff’s Department and TBI. Among the officers involved at the scene Sunday evening were Sheriff Emmons, Chief Deputy Milton Bowling, County Deputies Andy Snow and Jon Slager, Reserve Deputies Dustin Johnson and David Sharp who brought in a K-9, TBI Special Agent Billy Miller, and Troopers Charles Caplinger and Allen England from the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
An autopsy will be performed on Crook’s body.

Two people were killed in a one car crash Saturday on Interstate 40 in Smith County.
Dead are 59 year old Everett Charles (Chuck) South, Sr. and his wife 51 year old Dorothy South of 148 Cleveland Way, Smithville.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol reports that the two were traveling east on I-40 in a 1999 Jeep Cherokee when the vehicle ran off the left side of the road into the median and struck a large boulder head-on.
The accident occurred around 12:52 a.m. near the 264 mile marker.

Three people were injured in a two car crash Friday afternoon on Highway 70 in Liberty and another person was hurt in a separate accident Friday morning on Highway 70 near Sligo Bridge.
Trooper Allen England of the Tennessee Highway Patrol says 19 year old Kristy L. Grandstaff of 120 Lavergne Street, Alexandria and 19 year old David M. Branner of Nashville were airlifted from the scene in Liberty by Life Flight helicopter ambulance and flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
26 year old Joseph B. Trapp of Allen Ferry Road, Smithville was taken by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Hospital where he was treated and released.
Trooper England says Grandstaff, the apparent driver of a 1995 Toyota Tercel, was attempting to make a left turn from Bratten Street onto Highway 70 when she pulled into the path of a 1996 Toyota Avalon, driven by Trapp, who was east on Highway 70.
Branner was a passenger of the Grandstaff vehicle.
The accident remains under investigation by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Meanwhile, 64 year old Barbara Dean Goodwin of Young Ridge Road, Sparta, was injured in a one vehicle accident Friday morning on Highway 70 near Sligo Bridge.
Trooper England says Goodwin was west on Highway 70 in a 2002 Toyota Sierra minivan when she failed to maintain the lane of travel, went off the road, crossed a ditch, hit an embankment, and overturned.
Goodwin was taken by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Hospital where she was treated and released.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting driver license roadside safety checkpoints during the week of May 21, 2006 on State Routes 53, 56, 83, 96, and 146 in DeKalb County.
Recognizing the danger presented to the public by unqualified drivers, Troopers will concentrate their efforts on vehicles being operated by drivers who would violate the driver license laws of Tennessee.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol has found these driver license roadside safety checkpoints to be an effective means of enforcing driver license laws of Tennessee while ensuring the protection of all Motorists.

One woman has been charged with theft of property under $500 and another arrest is expected in a robbery at the Bizzy Bee’s Flea Market on Allen’s Ferry Road Thursday.
Investigator Charles Griffith of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department says 28 year old Lisa Michelle Porterfield of Dowelltown has been arrested in the case.
According to Griffith Porterfield and another woman went to the flea market between 11:00 a.m. and noon on Thursday and while one woman was talking with the clerk and keeping her busy on the outside of the building, Porterfield had gone inside where she allegedly removed $200 to $240 in cash.
Griffith says Porterfield apparently knew where the money was kept because she had been at the flea market on Wednesday and had sold some DVD’s.
The victim, after providing Griffith with a description of the women, positively identified Porterfield from a photo line up and she was subsequently arrested.
The case remains under investigation.
Meanwhile, in a separate matter, Griffith says three men, 40 year old William Ray Cantrell, 39 year old Martin Riley, and 35 year old Scott R. Adams all of Smithville, have been arrested in connection with a recent burglary of a residence on Coon Branch Road, in which numerous items were stolen.
Investigator Griffith says the burglary occurred during daylight hours when no one was home. However, as the men were leaving the property, the owner of the house returned and tried to confront them, but they fled the scene.
The men were later identified by the victim during a photo lineup.
Griffith says the men are also suspects in other recent burglaries.
Smithville Police are investigating a break-in at the office of Dr. Melvin Blevins and Johnny’s Drugs early Thursday morning.
Detective Sergeant Chris Russell says sometime during the pre-dawn hours of Thursday morning someone broke out a rear window at Dr. Blevins’ office at the Center Hill Medical Building and entered.
Once inside, several attempts were made to make entry to the drug store next door through the wall.
After bursting through a sheet rock wall, the intruders removed from the pharmacy a large quantity of controlled substances including oxycontin, hydrocodone and xanax. The intruders then left, going back out the same way they came in.
If you have any information that may help solve the case contact Detective Sergeant Chris Russell of the Smithville Police Department or phone the anonymous tips line at 464-6046.

Members of the DeKalb Jaycees, city government leaders, and others joined in a brief dedication ceremony at noon Wednesday for a new Town Clock located on the ground of the Smithville City Hall building.
In his remarks during the ceremony, Bert Driver of the DeKalb Jaycees and a former city alderman, said the new clock is part of the downtown beautification effort. ” In 1998, the Smithville City Council initiated a beautification project around the town square ? the trees that you see planted have begun to mature and provide a softer landscape that accentuates the charm of our town. The continuing desire of both the citizens of Smithville and the city Council has resulted in the on-going sidewalk improvements throughout different areas of the city”.
“As we continue to see more and more people moving into our community, both the towns people and the city government will have to embrace new ideas and react to a more progressive and competitive community. The city of Smithville has as much potential as any other small town in Middle Tennessee and with a concerted effort between citizens, government and the business community, Smithville can retain its charm and sense of value by preserving its traditions and embracing its future. This progressive heritage should be the cornerstone of the next generation of leadership”.
“And as for today, we gather to add one more improvement to our great city ? the Town Clock. The Town Clock before you has been a long time coming- and a great many people have put their effort into this project, particularly the DeKalb Jaycees who have not only supported this project financially; they have also given a great deal of sweat equity into making sure that this plan was completed”.
“It gives us great pride in dedicating the clock today as a symbol of spirit and pride”.
Driver also offered the following poem by an unknown author:
“This Thing Called Time –
Time can be an enemy, yet sometimes be a friend,
There is a time that we all grow, and then a time we mend,
Time that seems to make us late, can sometimes make us cry,
There is a time we call our life, and then the time we die.
Time is used to measure days, we spend here on this Earth,
It helps divide the times in life, and re-calls all from birth,
It is a constant from this world, and then it fades away,
Taking all within its grasp, and making a new day.
Time it seems can measure space, and all ones distant travels,
It rushes us throughout our lives, and then delays arrival,
There’s always time for disappointment, and appointed time,
But time that’s somehow wasted, seems such an awful crime.
Time can not be bottled, nor packaged in a bag,
But when it’s managed wisely, time seems not to lag,
This timely realization, sometimes is not remembered,
Events that seem so timely, though cherished may be squandered.
And now you have, your space in time, for all that it is worth,
To you it seems, a grand old time, your life upon the Earth,
But you will see, that time flys by, and empties your lifes cup,
So make it count, this thing called time, before it’s all used up.

Members of the Class of 2006 said their goodbyes to DeKalb County High School on the occasion of their graduation Friday night.
Three of the most outstanding members of the class were singled out for special recognition. This year’s White Rose Awards went to Elise Cantrell and Daniel Alexander and while the Citizenship Award was presented to Ben Malone
The White Rose is presented to a boy and girl from the class for outstanding achievement and leadership, academics, and other activities. The Citizenship Award is given to the senior who has demonstrated outstanding service, devotion and loyalty to DeKalb County High School.
A total of 147 students received diplomas during the commencement, each one shaking hands with Director of Schools Jim McCormick as their names were called by Principal Kathy Hendrix.
In remarks to the Class, Valedictorian Elise Cantrell admonished her fellow classmates to make good decisions and embrace the changes that will affect their lives. “Success is something we all want a part of, but it is defined differently for each of us. No matter how big or small someone’s goals might be, they are never too far from reach. You and you alone have to make success happen. Each of us must be willing to put forth every effort we have into each task we perform. Make the right decisions, because the decisions you make now will affect you in the future. Most, importantly, make decisions for you. You can spend your whole life trying to please other people and you will never feel a sense of satisfaction. Life is too short to be unhappy so live it now and don’t take a single second for granted. The good Lord has put each of us in this world for a purpose and it is our responsibility to find that purpose.”
“Tonight, there is a journey coming to an end, but we will soon venture off onto an entirely different journey. No one knows exactly where that journey will lead. We are starting a whole new life, and it is up to us to make the most of the life we choose. It has come our time to step out into the real world of change. We must not hold resentment against change, but instead we should embrace the new opportunities that come along with change. We will leave here tonight, not with sadness in our eyes, but with a new vision on life. Every moment we have shared will be cherished and we will take what we have learned at DCHS and move into the next chapter of our lives. I would like to leave you with one of my favorite quotes from a wise philosopher, Benjamin Franklin, ?When you’re finished changing, you’re finished”.
Salutatorian Kheela Nicole Blair urged the class to overcome life’s obstacles and make the journey of life fulfilling. ” Upon entering into each of our new lives, we will encounter many obstacles along our long road to success. Like our pasts, our futures will be filled with not only a great amount of joy, but also with many tears and struggles. As we have grown up, we have acquired much knowledge from our elders about how to make mature and responsible decisions to help us deal with whatever challenges may come our way. Through our own personal experiences, we each know that with hard work and determination, we are always capable of pulling through. For without these two characteristics, none of us would be sitting here tonight.”
“Nonetheless, there are the occasional obstacles that we can never prepare for. It is in these instances that we must remember to maintain confidence in ourselves and uphold our trust in the Lord. Philippians 4:13 says ? I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me’. Have faith and you will go far. Congratulations to the class of 2006. May you be successful in all you do.”
Class President Kris Robinson encouraged the seniors to “follow the road that leads you to where you need to go”. All three of our school colors are represented on this road. It is Black, White, and Gold. Not only can we relate our experiences to our school colors, but we can also interpret its colors as a symbol of its guidance in relation to the roads we travel. Just as the road has the white and gold boundaries and the black asphalt, which provides for smooth travel, DeKalb County High School has provided us with the limits to keep us in-line while preparing us for a smooth path to success”.
Principal Kathy Hendrix, in her remarks to the class, admonished the graduates to “let your high school years become the foundation upon which you make a difference in this world.”
“This road we call life is filled with challenges large and small. However, the rewards for meeting those challenges are great. Therefore, I ask you not to be afraid to struggle, do not be afraid to give your best. Hopefully at the end of your life you, like Saint Paul, can say that you have fought a good fight, have finished the race, and have been true to yourself. If so, then you will be able to look back on tonight as more than just one special night in your life, but rather an event truly marking a beginning. Congratulations to all the 2005-2006 graduates and their families. God bless each and everyone of you.”