Eight individuals were arrested on July 1 for allegedly distributing over 250 pounds of methamphetamine in Eastern Tennessee and Western Virginia. The arrests followed an investigation by multiple agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the United States Marshals Service; Homeland Security Investigations; several local sheriff’s offices and police departments; and regional drug task forces.
The individuals charged via federal criminal complaint with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine are Israel Barajas-Ramirez, 37, of Church Hill, Tennessee; Emily Katlyn Vaughn, 26, of Church Hill, Tennessee; Christy Marie Thomas, 43, of Kingsport, Tennessee; Benny Charles Larkins, 61, of Gate City, Virginia; Shannon Dwayne Jarvis, 50, of Gate City, Virginia; Marcy Lee Hedrick, 55, of Kingsport, Tennessee; Tiffany Michelle Shipley, 34, of Kingsport, Tennessee; and Andrew Todd Douglas, 50, of Kingsport, Tennessee.
According to court documents cited in the announcement by First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci, District of Virginia, and Special Agents in Charge Anthony Spotswood (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) and Eric Weindorf (Homeland Security Investigations), law enforcement began investigating suspected drug trafficking conspiracies involving these individuals starting in October 2024. The investigation covered Scott County (Virginia), Washington County (Virginia), Hawkins County (Tennessee), and Washington County (Tennessee). Authorities allege that hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine were distributed into Western Virginia and Eastern Tennessee during this period. Some conspirators are also accused of illegally possessing firearms.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena Busscher is prosecuting the case. Officials emphasized that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia handles federal prosecutions as part of the U.S. Department of Justice for the western portion of Virginia through offices located in Roanoke, Charlottesville, Abingdon, Lynchburg, Danville, and Harrisonburg; the office partners with federal, state, and local law enforcement to improve public safety through crime prevention initiatives, according to the official website.