Drugs, Guns & Animal Cruelty: Four Men Arrested
By Jessie Williams
Four men were arrested last week on multiple charges including cruelty to animals and manufacturing of narcotics, after officers discovered drugs, guns and animals in poor condition at a Hartsville Road residence.
According to Macon County Sheriff Mark Gammons, he and several Macon County Detectives went to 2914 Hartsville Rd. on October 13, 2021 to attempt to arrest 30-year-old Joshua Reece, who had an active violation of probation warrant.
Upon law enforcement’s arrival, a male subject ran from the residence into the woods. After a short foot chase, the man was detained and identified as 45-year-old Kenneth Hobbs.
Found on the property were three plants growing in three separate buckets that appeared to be marijuana.
Officers also located seven dogs that were in bad condition. Several appeared to have mange and some appeared to be underfed and infested with fleas. There was no food or water to be found outside for them.
Around 14 dead roosters were also found in pens, where they appeared to have been for some time and are suspected to have been used for cock fighting.
Animal control was called to the scene to take care of the dogs. The next morning, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture took possession the live chickens on the property.
A search warrant was obtained and executed for the residence.
Inside the residence, officers discovered 22-year-old Johnny Hall laying on the couch, and his brother, 26-year-old Joey Hall Jr., hiding in a closet.
Johnny Hall had an active warrant for failing to appear in court.
Joey was found to be in possession of a plant material believed to be marijuana, and an orange pill that he stated was Suboxone.
Johnny and Joey Hall both lived at the residence and were arrested by officers.
Inside the kitchen was a glass smoking pipe and a tin containing marijuana residue. There was also two smoking bongs on top of the fridge. A bottle containing what appeared to be a “shake and bake meth lab” was also found.
Approximately 25 rifles were found located throughout the property along with approximately 14 grams of a green, leafy substance believed to be marijuana. Some of the rifles are suspected to have been stolen out of Smith County.
Mr. Reece was not home at the time, but was located later that evening following a vehicle pursuit, and taken into custody. During the pursuit, two patrol cars were hit before Reece was forced off the road without injury.
Each of the men were charged with the following:
Joshua Reece: violation of probation, evading arrest, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, driving under the influence, violation of implied consent law, driving on a suspended license, vehicular assault (3 counts), possession of a weapon during a felony (3 counts), cruelty to animals (3 counts), manufacture of narcotics, simple possession, possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond set at $66,000.
Joey Hall – manufacturing of narcotics, simple possession (2 counts), cruelty to animals, possession of a weapon during a felony (3 counts). Bond set at $18,200.
Johnny Hall – failure to appear, cruelty to animals (3 counts), manufacture of narcotics, simple possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a firearm during a felony (3 counts). Bond set at $20,000.
Kenneth Hobbs – violation of probation, evading arrest, criminal trespassing. Bond set at $6,000.
This is an ongoing case, and additional charges are pending.
“If you have any information regarding the mistreatment of animals or illegal drug activity, please give us a call at the Macon County Sheriff’s Office,” urges sheriff Gammons. “Callers may remain anonymous.”
