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13 Members of Drug Trafficking Ring Indicted

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – March 5, 2019 – Two indictments unsealed today charged 13 Middle Tennessee individuals with various crimes relating to a conspiracy to unlawfully possess and distribute heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine in the Middle Tennessee area, and federal firearms violations, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran. 

 

Earlier today, local, state and federal law enforcement officers began arresting those charged and all but one are in custody.  Robert Bell, 41 of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, remains at large.

Two of the individuals – Kirk Carroll and Jennifer Neal – are Macon County residents.

Neal is also currently facing state charges through the Macon County Sheriff’s Department. 

According to Macon County Sheriff Mark Gammons, his department has been working closely with the ATF, the Metro Nashville Police Department and other sheriff’s offices and police departments across Tennessee over the last several months.

“The investigation into this drug trafficking ring led to several pounds of narcotics including methamphetamine, and numerous guns confiscated during the operation,” Sheriff Gammons stated. “It appears that both individuals from Macon County were actively involved in drug trafficking in our area. This operation was a great success for our department, and all of the agencies and other departments involved, to keep drugs off the streets of our community and the state of Tennessee.”

The indictments allege the criminal activity occurred between June 1, 2017, and February 6, 2019.  Those charged in the indictments are: 

Kirk Carroll, 41, of Westmoreland, Tennessee, conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine; unlawful possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition.

Jennifer Neal, 38, of Westmoreland, conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine; unlawful possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Mark McElwee, 50, of Nashville, conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine; unlawful possession with intent to distribute heroin methamphetamine and cocaine; unlawful distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime.

Ramell Webster, 34, of Nashville, conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine; unlawful possession and distribution of heroin and possession with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin; being a convicted felon in possession of firearms; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime.

Michael Bedwell, 40, of Lewisburg, Tennessee, conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine; possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine; being a convicted felon in possession of firearms; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime.

John Hayes, 36, of Nashville, conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine; possession with intent to distribute heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine.

Jesse Weston, 38, of Nashville, conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine; unlawful possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Robert Bell, 41, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee,   conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine; and unlawful possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine.

Chelsea Brassell, 28, of Nashville, conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine; possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine and cocaine.

Laura Hayes, 31, of Nashville, conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine; and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Caddius House, 42, of Murfreesboro, unlawful possession with intent to distribute Xanax.

Joshua Parsons, 37, of Nashville, conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine; unlawful possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; being a convicted felon in possession of firearms; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime.

 Matthew Anderson, 31, of Nashville, being a convicted felon in possession of firearms. 

 If convicted, the following penalties apply:

 McElwee and Webster, 10 – 45 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine;

 Michael Bedwell, 10 years, up to life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine; 

 John Hayes, Weston, Bell, Brassell, Laura Hayes, House, Carrol, and Neal, up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine;

 Joshua Parsons, 5 – 25 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine; and

Matthew Anderson, up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

 This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department; the Smyrna, Tennessee Police Department; the Macon County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Department; the Marshall County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Department; and the Putnam County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Siji Moore is prosecuting the case.

 An indictment is merely an accusation.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

 Sheriff Gammons would like to commend all of the departments and officers involved in this operation for their hard work and dedication. 

“We look forward to continuing a working relationship with these agencies and officers in future drug investigations,” he said. 

If you have information regarding illegal drug activity, contact the Macon County Sheriff’s Department at 615-666-3325. Callers have the option to remain anonymous.