‘Operation Thundering Justice’ Nets Indictments, Arrests

CARROLL COUNTY (September 16) –  An undercover operation spanning more than a year into the sell of illicit drugs throughout Carroll County has resulted in the indictment of numerous individuals.

 “Operation Thundering Justice,” led by special agents with the Drug Investigation Division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, the Huntingdon Police Department, the McKenzie Police Department, and the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, began in January 2020. During the investigation, authorities conducted multiple controlled purchases, surveillance, and research.

During a news conference Friday at the Carroll County Jail, 24th Judicial District Attorney Matt Stowe and Huntingdon Public Safety Director Walter Smothers spoke about the operation as they stood in front of a TBI mobile unit. Standing with them  were Carroll County Chief Deputy David Bunn and McKenzie Police Chief Craig Moates.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with the TBI on such a major operation,” said Attorney General Stowe. “By taking these drug dealers off the street, we’re making the 24th District a safer place and hopefully there will be fewer parents wondering where their children are because of this operation.”

Stowe said as of that moment there were 12 individuals in custody following the operation. 

“All officers are safe and sound,” he said. “This is the result of a successful drug operation.”

Thousands of man hours resulted in the arrests.

“The community has been waiting for this for a long time,” he said. “This investigation is ongoing. Through old-fashioned police work and the Bureau of Investigation we are going to take the bad guys off the streets.”

He disclosed that some of the drugs included methamphetamine, marijuana, and pills of all kinds. However, there was no fentanyl found.

“Our number one goal is to take it off the street before someone dies,” he said.

Smothers said he is proud that this day finally came.

“It has been an ongoing investigation and a cooperative effort of the different law enforcement agencies,” he said. “If you are a drug dealer and are thinking about coming to Carroll County, you might want to rethink that.”

On September 8, the Carroll County Grand Jury returned indictments, charging 19 people in connection to the ongoing investigation.

“These arrests send a unified message that we will not tolerate this type of activity in our communities,” said Darryl Richardson, TBI Assistant Director, Drug Investigation Division.

At the time of this release, 15 individuals had been arrested and charged as a result of the indictments. Previous charges against the individuals have included violent offenses including weapons counts and aggravated assault on an officer. Each was booked into the Carroll County Jail. 

This remains an active and ongoing investigation and more indictments and arrests are expected.

Those in custody include:

• Regina Bryant (DOB: 4/30/71), McKenzie – Three counts Sale and Delivery of Methamphetamine, also charged during arrest today with Possession of Schedule III – Hydrocodone, $50,000 bond.
• Jamie L. Carter (DOB: 10/24/78), McKenzie – One count Sale and Delivery of Methamphetamine, $25,000 bond.
• Angi Fenti (DOB: 2/26/72), Bruceton – One count Sale and Delivery of Methamphetamine, also charged during arrest today with Possession with Intent – Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, $25,000 bond.
• Andrus M. Hall (DOB: 12/6/85), Cedar Grove – One count Sale and Delivery of Methamphetamine, $25,000 bond.
• Allen Hardee (DOB: 8/9/87), Yuma – One count Sale and Delivery of Methamphetamine, $25,000 bond.
• Bryan L. King (DOB: 4/28/88), Huntingdon – Three counts Sale and Delivery of Methamphetamine, $50,000 bond.
• Carla Lawton (DOB: 1/1/76), Huntingdon – Four counts Sale and Delivery of Methamphetamine, $50,000 bond.
• Aaron R. Luter (DOB: 8/7/80), Atwood – Two counts Sale and Delivery of Methamphetamine, $50,000 bond.
• Carlos L. Milton (DOB: 7/2/85), McKenzie – One count Sale and Delivery of Methamphetamine, $30,000 bond.
• Jamie L. Parker (DOB: 4/13/76), Yuma – Two counts Sale and Delivery of Methamphetamine, also charged during arrest today with Simple Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, $25,000 bond.
• Jonathon Taylor (DOB: 10/1/81), Paris – Three counts Sale and Delivery of Methamphetamine, $50,000 bond.
• Letritia A. Wortham (DOB: 1/28/81), Bruceton – One count Sale and Delivery of Methamphetamine, also charged during arrest today with Possession with Intent – Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, $25,000 bond.

 Arrested later were:

• Angel L. Bach (DOB: 2/18/76), Clarksville – One count Aggravated Child Abuse and Neglect, one count Possession of Schedule VI, one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
• Ashton Ridley (DOB: 9/3/02), McKenzie – One count Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
• Kaitlynn Webb (DOB: 5/24/00), Dresden – One count Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.