Jackson, TN - Ten residents of the Jackson area have been indicted for conspiring to distribute large quantities of highly pure methamphetamine throughout West Tennessee. Edward L. Stanton III, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the indictment today.
On Thursday, May 26, 2016, nine of the defendants were taken into custody. One defendant remains a fugitive. Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies participated in the early morning round-up.
The following defendants have been indicted on conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of meth, among other charges:
• David Burruss, 72, of Bolivar, Tennessee
• Rodney Richardson, 48, of Grand Junction, Tennessee
• Deon Brown, Sr., 48, of Grand Junction, Tennessee
• James Walker Carroll, 35, of Savannah, Tennessee
• David Bryan, 29, of Jackson, Tennessee
• Thomas Rodgers, 38, of Lexington, Tennessee
• Nancy Hubanks, 65, of Savannah, Tennessee
• Matthew Ludoff, 33, of Jackson, Tennessee
• Jason Stanfill, 37, of Jackson, Tennessee
• Mary Vandiver, 42, of Jackson, Tennessee (fugitive)
According to the indictment, between late August 2014 and March 2016, the defendants conspired with each other to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute large quantities of "ice," which is meth with a purity level greater than 80 percent. The defendants also distributed multiple grams of meth.
During the course of a nearly two-year investigation, law enforcement officers seized more than 3,500 grams of ice, over 800 grams of meth, three firearms, two vehicles, and approximately $64,000 in drug proceeds from the defendants.
All 10 defendants have been charged with one count of conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine (ice), and one count of aiding and abetting each other to distribute, attempt to distribute, possess with the intent to distribute and attempt to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of ice.
The defendants have also been charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of meth. And aiding and abetting each other to distribute, attempt to distribute, possess with the intent to distribute and attempt to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of meth.
• Burruss, Hubanks, and Brown have each been charged with two additional counts of distributing, attempting to distribute, possession with intent to distribute, and attempting to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of meth.
• Stanfill and Vandiver have been charged with three additional counts of distributing, attempting to distribute, possession with intent to distribute, and attempting to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of meth.
• Richardson, Carroll III, Bryan and Ludoff have each been charged with an additional count of distributing, attempting to distribute, possession with intent to distribute, and attempting to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of meth.
• And Rodgers has been charged with three additional counts of distributing, attempting to distribute, possession with intent to distribute, and attempting to possess with the intent to distribute five grams or more of meth.
The defendants face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years imprisonment if convicted of the conspiracy and/or aiding and abetting charges. They also face fines of up to $10 million.
The additional distribution charges carry mandatory minimum sentences of between five and 20 years imprisonment and fines exceeding $1 million.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; Jackson-Madison County Metro Narcotics Unit; 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force; Hardin County Sheriff's Department; and the United States Postal Inspector Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Beth Boswell is prosecuting this case on the government’s behalf.
The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
