11/03/09 - Carroll County

By: Lauren Linney
llinney@wbbjtv.com
5:25 p.m.
 
McKenzie police officers executed a search warrant Tuesday morning on a McKenzie man's home, but not for a drug bust. They said this is the first time they have ever stumbled upon a make shift moonshine distillery in the middle of town next to a school. "My 20 years here I've never had any dealings with a distillery," said Lt. Tim Nanney.
 
Nanney said officers found 45 gallons of alcohol in various stages of manufacturing just 200 feet from McKenzie Elementary School. "There was some fermenting in his [the suspect] house. Approximately 15 gallons fermenting, approximately another 20 gallons of mash we discovered in the shed behind his house and 7 gallons of finished product," described Nanney.
 
Police are not releasing the alleged moonshine maker's name pending his arrest, but officers said he could face criminal charges. "In Tennessee, it's ok to make certain amounts of wine but once you distill the alcohol itself, it becomes a crime then because it's untaxed liquor," said Nanney.
 
The moonshine bust was a joint effort between McKenzie police, Alcohol Beverage Commission and ATF agents. Nanney said he plans to interview the suspect Wednesday.