‘Operation Big Red Ice’ leads to multiple arrests in Henderson County
HENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — Law enforcement agencies are teaming together to arrest those responsible for the sale of narcotics here in West Tennessee.
Methamphetamine and heroin continue to be a huge problem in Tennessee.
Over the last eight years, it has seen an increase of 792% in cases involving these two narcotics.
To fight this problem, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation have teamed together for Operation Big Red Ice.
“The Henderson County Grand Jury met and returned 72 indictments. Of those 72 indictments, 18 were defendants who were charged with the sale and delivery of methamphetamine or heroin,” said District Attorney General Jody Pickens.
Eleven of the 18 were arrested before Wednesday’s press conference. They expect more arrests to be made.
“The 18 defendants we have does not end our investigations. This is just the 18 we have right now, so there will be plenty more in the future. There’s plenty more out there to arrest and together with these law enforcement agencies, we’ll find them,” said Henderson County Sheriff Brian Duke.
Several law enforcement agencies are working together to arrest all involved in the supply chain.
“These people may be local, but they’re tied into organizations who pedal poison and are responsible for deaths in this community, and we aim to hold them accountable,” Pickens said.
It’s not just about the sale of these drugs, it’s all the crimes that come with it.
“There’s also crimes committed to substances to feed that habit: property crimes, burglary, robberies, thefts of all sorts, so it’s not just the sale. It drives crime rates in this community,” Pickens said.
To those trafficking drugs in our area, Pickens says you will be held accountable for your actions.
“You need to consider whether the person you’re selling to is in fact a user or an addict, or is that person working with law enforcement. You also need to consider the next knock at the door may not be UPS or Amazon. It may be law enforcement looking to serve that next sealed indictment on you,” Pickens said.
The individuals arrested on Wednesday will be arraigned in the coming weeks in the Henderson County Circuit Court.
The TBI released the names of those arrested and charged:
- Jermile Adams, Huntingdon – Two Counts sale and delivery of methamphetamine
- Derrick Cole, Lexington – Four counts sale and delivery of methamphetamine
- Michael Diffie, Scotts Hill – Four counts sale and delivery of methamphetamine
- Anthony Fernandez, Decaturville – Four counts sale and delivery of methamphetamine
- Lucas Larue, Lexington – Four counts sale and delivery of methamphetamine
- Marlon Mcclerkin, Huntingdon – Two counts sale and delivery of methamphetamine, two counts sale and delivery of heroin
- John Nash, Lexington – Two counts of sale and delivery of methamphetamine
- Christopher Pace, Parsons – Two counts sale and delivery of methamphetamine
- Brandon Swift, Lexington – Two counts sale and delivery of methamphetamine
- Bryan Teague, Wildersville – Two counts sale and delivery of methamphetamine
- Herbert Williams, Lexington – Six counts Sale and Delivery of Methamphetamine, possession with intent – scheduled VI and possession of drug paraphernalia
- Jala Winters, Scotts Hill – Two counts sale and delivery of methamphetamine
