Information Updated on November 7 

An undercover drug investigation involving combined resources of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, the Cleveland Police Department, and the 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force (DTF), concluded in October and indictments were issued against 20 individuals charging 50 counts of possession of crack cocaine. Warrants have also been issued for two additional individuals for trafficking in marijuana.

Additionally, during this undercover operation investigators developed information that solved 30 burglaries and thefts in Bradley County, Cleveland, Meigs County, and Polk County.

The arrest of these individuals is currently underway.

This investigation focused on identifying street-level crack cocaine dealers and resulted in buys of various quantities of crack cocaine and marijuana from the defendants. Additionally, some of the defendants were in possession of weapons at the time of committing their crimes. This information will be forwarded to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for federal prosecution consideration and is an extension of our Project Safe Neighborhood Federal partnership. Information developed will also be used to help identify additional drug suppliers.

Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble attributed the success of this investigation to the cooperative effort between agencies and thanked all for their participation.

"I hope this sends a clear message to criminals that law enforcement in this area is united in our commitment to reduce and stop drugs and thefts in Bradley County. We will always work together to share information and resources to protect this community," said Sheriff Gobble.

Gobble also commended the active partnership that exists with District Attorney Steve Bebb, U.S. Attorney Russ Deadrick, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Chief Wes Snyder of the Cleveland Police Department agreed, saying it is important for law enforcement at all levels of government to share resources and technology to get dangerous drugs off the streets. "From the street level dealer to the financial facilitators, the illegal drug trade has always affected the quality of life in our community. I am confident that the local and federal investigators have done all they can to hold these people accountable for their actions."

ATF Resident Agent in Charge Darryl R. Hill said, "From the beginning of this operation, ATF and its law enforcement partners set out to address armed drug trafficking and violent crime in Bradley County. Today is the next step in the process and is evidence that a proactive 21st century law enforcement approach is working in this community."

Drug Task Force Director Mike Hall added, "It’s great to see this level of cooperation between the city, the county, the drug task force and the ATF. This cooperation helped capture quality defendants and get the bad guys off the streets."

As the investigation progresses, other arrests are possible.

UPDATE 11-7-08 Click the link to see the names of those arrested.:

Doyle Alvin Benton, 49

Tony Michael Bryant, 52

Anturaum Montazz Dickey, 29

Angela Denise Whaley Dodd, 27

Austin La’tra Dodd, 21

Dianne Cherron Gaines, 42

Raymond Allen Gaines, 22

Joshua Allen Harris, 24

Desmond Dion Jarrett, 21

Demetria Theresa Jones, 40

Derrick Fernando Lawrence, 46

Robert Anthony Morrison, 47

Justin Lee Moss, 23

Dalopheal Latrey Taylor, 21

Carl Winston Westfield, 53

Steven Donald Willett, 28

Three of the individuals indicted were already in custody.  Four others are being sought. 

Also arrested during the search for suspects were:

Rontez Deon Lovelace Sr., 22

William Maurice McClellan, 25