Haywood Co. search warrant yields drugs, cash, Memphis fugitive, local probation officer and malnourished dogs

HAYWOOD COUNTY, Tenn. – Drug Task Force Director Johnie Carter says that a week’s long drug investigation led to the issuance of a search warrant that that was served this past Friday and as the search went on, things just kept getting more and more strange.

During the early morning hours of February 20th, Agents with the West Tennessee Drug Task Force out of Brownsville served the search warrant at a home in the 4000 block of HWY 76.

During the service of the warrant, Agents initially observed malnourished dogs outside of the home without access to fresh water or appropriate shelter and leashed with a log chain. Inside of the home, Agents encountered one male in the right rear bedroom with a .357 magnum under his pillow next to cocaine and marijuana. That subject, a previously convicted felon, stated that he had been shot multiple times while in Memphis and was injured. Further investigation revealed that he was wanted on a felony property crime out of Shelby County. Agents also discovered one female hiding in the shower and two other males in other areas of the home.

During the search of the home, Agents seized nearly ¼ ounce of cocaine, a .357 handgun, one ounce of marijuana, electronic scales, evidence of larger scale cocaine trafficking and $22,210.00 in suspected drug proceeds.

While searching the residence, a female pulled up to the scene identifying herself as the Haywood County probation officer and stated that one person in the home was a probationer of hers. When questioned further, the female was unable to produce proper credentials and left the scene. The same female returned several minutes later stating that she was there to do a home search on one of her probationers. The female was denied access to the crime scene and left. Further investigation revealed that the female was dating one of the men in custody and reportedly has children with him. It also revealed that she works for a private probation company and is contracted as the misdemeanor probation officer for Haywood County. The C.E.O. of the company was very cooperative and confirmed the probation officer’s employment and that misdemeanor probation does not conduct home searches. The C.E.O. also confirmed that none of the persons in custody were currently under the supervision of the company.

Four people were taken into custody on the scene and transported to the Haywood County Jail where they face felony drug, weapon, animal cruelty and money laundering charges. Agents consulted with the 28th District Attorney General, Frederick Agee on the probation officer, identified as Johnetta Whitley, 39 of Brownsville and were able to present an indictment for official misconduct to the Haywood County Grand Jury on Monday February 23rd, 2026 that returned a true bill of indictment.

Ms. Whitley was taken into custody without incident and booked last night by the Haywood County Sheriff’s Department.

Agents were assisted in this warrant by the Haywood County SWAT team and officers of the Brownsville Police Department. The Office of the District Attorney General for the 28th Judicial District of Frederick Agee is prosecuting the cases.

“Drug search warrants are never routine and this is not the first time we’ve encountered a gunshot victim recuperating in a drug house far removed from their home.” “This is a dangerous undertaking and I am grateful for those who assisted us and the Agents and Officers who do it every day to make West Tennessee safer.”
– Johnie Carter, Director, West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force.

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