16 indicted in Roan Mountain drug investigation

Published 11:26 am Thursday, July 16, 2020

Sixteen people were indicted in a methamphetamine conspiracy investigation conducted by the Carter County Sheriff’s Office and Elizabethton Police Department Joint Drug Task Force.

Following a two-year investigation (codenamed “Operation Big Iron”), the agencies conducted a round-up primarily in the Roan Mountain area. Sheriff’s deputies and police officers began arresting suspects around noon and have continued into the evening, assisted by ATF agents. Suspects received charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine within a school zone, which carries a minimum 14-year sentence. Many of them will also receive various other charges including possession of stolen property, firearms possession or trafficking, and distribution of prescription narcotics.

Deputies are continuing to effect more arrests, and investigators are continuing to work on additional charges. Eight suspects are currently in law enforcement custody.

List of suspects indicted:

Eddie Ray Miller – Conspiracy Meth Distribution within a School Zone, Sale of Methamphetamine (three counts), Maintaining a Dwelling Where Narcotics are Sold

Phillip Hamilton Ray – Conspiracy Meth Distribution within a School Zone, Sale of Methamphetamine

Lacey Lynn Johnson – Conspiracy Meth Distribution within a School Zone, Delivery of Methamphetamine

Joseph William Gleason – Conspiracy Meth Distribution within a School Zone, Sale of Methamphetamine

Teresa Lee Hampton – Conspiracy Meth Distribution within a School Zone, Sale of Methamphetamine, Delivery of Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Dwelling Where Narcotics are Sold

Thomas Raymond Ward – Conspiracy Meth Distribution within a School Zone

Melanie Oleta Oliver – Conspiracy Meth Distribution within a School Zone, Sale of Methamphetamine (four counts), Maintaining a Dwelling Where Narcotics are Sold

Tammie Elaine Birchfield – Conspiracy Meth Distribution within a School Zone, Sale of Methamphetamine

Troy Christopher Shell – Conspiracy Meth Distribution within a School Zone, Sale of Methamphetamine, Delivery of Methamphetamine

Joseph Paul Ballard – Conspiracy Meth Distribution within a School Zone

Christopher Harold Gibbs – Conspiracy Meth Distribution within a School Zone

Jamie Scott Hardin – Conspiracy Meth Distribution within a School Zone, Sale of Methamphetamine

Logan Seth Allen Storie – Conspiracy Meth Distribution within a School Zone

Megan Marie Arnold – Conspiracy Meth Distribution within a School Zone

Ryan Cain Dixon – Conspiracy Meth Distribution within a School Zone

Cambrean Nicole Presnell – Conspiracy Meth Distribution within a School Zone