News
Release Fifteen Indiviuals Indicted On A Conspiracy Charge For Distributing Oxycodone Pills MAR 23 -- (Greeneville, TN) - A federal grand jury in Greeneville, Tennessee, returned a one (1) count indictment on March 9, 2010, against Matthew Honeycutt, 41, of Bakersville, N.C.; Lisa Honeycutt, 41, of Bakersville, N.C.; Sammy Atkins, Jr., 24, Newland, N.C.; Whitney Houston, 22, of Newland, N.C.; Jordan Hughes, 22, of Roan Mountain, Tenn.; Stacy Shell, 40, of Roan Mountain, Tenn.; Kenneth Blalock, 21 of Roan Mountain, Tenn.; Stasha Saults-Hicks, 21, of Roan Mountain, Tenn.; Henry Gibbs, 25, of Roan Mountain, Tenn.; Jayne Temple Street, 39, of Bakersville, N.C.; Julia Sellers, 21, of Burnsville, N.C.; Justin Hughes, 19, of Bakersville, N.C.; Phillip Ray, 35, of Roan Mountain, Tenn.; Dawn Cook, 39, of Roan Mountain, Tenn.; and, Misty Turbyfill, 35, of Elk Park, N.C. The defendants are charged with conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone pills. Several defendants, including Matthew and Lisa Honeycutt, Henry Gibbs, Jayne Temple Street, Julia Sellers, Phillip Ray, and Misty Turbyfill, appeared in court on March 17, 2010, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis H. Inman, and entered pleas of not guilty to the charge in the indictment. A trial date has not yet been set. The indictment alleges that between September of 2008 and March of 2010, the defendants conspired with one another and with other individuals to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute pills containing oxycodone. If convicted, the defendants faces a term of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of 1,000,000.00, and a term of supervised release of at least three years. Rodney G. Benson, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Atlanta Field Division commented on the case, "Addressing the problem of the diversion and abuse of controlled pharmaceuticals continues to be one of DEA's top priorities. The success of this investigation is a direct result of the hard work and dedication put forth by our federal, state and local law enforcement counterparts." Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman stated, "This is a prime example where partnering with our federal, North Carolina and Tennessee State, and North Carolina and Tennessee local, agencies has proven to be a success in this growing challenge of prescription diversion and 'doctor shopping.' Many man-hours and a great amount of coordination have been put into the successful apprehension of these individuals in an attempt to keep these powerful and lucrative pharmaceuticals off of the streets - many of which reach our youth. I commend all of the agencies and officers in this most successful operation." This indictment is the result of an investigation by agents with the Watauga County North Carolina Sheriff’s Office, the Burnsville North Carolina Police Department, the Morristown Tennessee Police Department, the Elizabethton Tennessee Police Department, the Greeneville Tennessee Police Department, the Boone North Carolina Police Department, the Burke County North Carolina Sheriff’s Office, the Marion North Carolina Police Department, the Morganton North Carolina Police Department, the Asheville North Carolina Police Department, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn L. Hebets 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 their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. DEA Atlanta’s SAC Benson encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.justthinktwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov. #### |