Twenty-Three Indicted in Multi-County Oxycodone Trafficking and Money Laundering Conspiracy

KNOXVILLE—Twenty of 23 individuals have been arrested in a multi-county round-up arising out of an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Knoxville on June 5, 2012, charging all with oxycodone trafficking and money laundering conspiracies.

As of the afternoon of June 21, 2012, those arrested are: John Wesley Goss, 58; Eva Hallene McNelley, 59; Joey Eugene Brewer, 30; Christopher Shannon Carroll, 37; Katrina Elaine Carroll, 33; Jeffrey Wade Fine, 35; Amy Renee Shillings, 41; Russell Anthony Walters, 31; Stephen Eugene Williams, 36; Bobby Lee Martin, 61; Jeremiah J. Cooley, 35; Richard E. Goldberg, 29; James Charles Luffman, 41; Samuel Houston Newcome, 31; Montique Denise Chandler, 36; Tawny Michelle Inman, 22; Debbie Colleen Stooksbury, 40; Johnny Wayne Watts, 32; Cynthia Kay Wheeler, 51; and Timothy Guy Wright, 49, all of Roane County, Tennessee.

On June 20, 2012 and June 21, 2012, 19 of those arrested appeared in court before U.S. Magistrate Judges H. Bruce Guyton and C. Clifford Shirley and pleaded not guilty to the charges in the indictment, which alleges that they conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and conspired to commit money laundering offenses. All remain in custody at this time. Trial has been set for August 28, 2012, in U.S. District Court, in Knoxville, before the Honorable Thomas A. Varlan.

The 19 individuals who made court appearances were advised that deaths are alleged to have resulted from the use of oxycodone in connection with the drug conspiracy, and thus, some could face life in prison, while others could face 20 years to life in prison.

This indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Drug Task Force consisting of agents and officers of the FBI, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Roane County Sheriff’s Office, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Loudon County Sheriff’s Office, Clinton Police Department, and Harriman Police Department. Agents and officers of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Rockwood Police Department, Kingston Police Department, and non-task force narcotics detectives with the Roane County Sheriff’s Office played key roles in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy L. Stone will represent the United States.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until his or her guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.