Thirteen Members of Middle Tennessee Drug Trafficking Organization Indicted
Charges Include Heroin, Cocaine and Methamphetamine Distribution and Firearms Violations
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - March 5, 2019 – Two indictments unsealed today charged thirteen 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.
The indictments allege the criminal activity occurred between June 1, 2017, and February 6, 2019. Those charged in the indictments are:
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.
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.
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.
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