In case you missed it, here’s a look at news highlights from this past week from NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM & WNWS.COM.
Carroll County woman sentenced 14 years in federal prison for meth trafficking and distribution
Jackson, TN – Brandi Oswalt, 32, a resident of Cedar Grove, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 170 months in federal prison for her role in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 156 grams of actual methamphetamine. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the sentence, Thursday.
In November 2018, a Title III order was obtained for the interception of wire and electronic communications for a telephone being utilized by a drug trafficking organization. Intercepted communications indicated that members of the Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) had developed a network spanning multiple counties and judicial districts in Tennessee. In December 2018, a second Title III order was acquired for the interception of wire and electronic communications on two
telephones.
Further, it was confirmed that members of the DTO were transporting narcotics to the Western District of Tennessee.
With multiple search warrants, interviews, and continued investigation, evidence revealed that Oswalt was a distributor for the drug trafficking organization. Oswalt would travel to members of the conspiracy’s residence, where she would purchase ½ pound of actual methamphetamine. A codefendant would also purchase methamphetamine on her behalf.
Oswalt was responsible for distributing over 4.5 kilograms of actual methamphetamine. Based on two prior felony convictions for methamphetamine offenses in Henderson County in 2010 and Decatur County in 2018, Oswalt is considered to be a career drug offender under federal law.
On August 12, 2020, U.S. District Court Senior Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Oswalt to 170 months in federal prison followed by five years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, “This sentence represents another great example of law enforcement working together to hold meth traffickers accountable. Criminal enterprises that distribute these harmful drugs into our rural communities can no longer hide. We are taking the fight to the drug trafficking organizations in order to dismantle them and remove them from our streets.”
This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Lexington Police Department investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Businessman piloted helicopter in crash that killed his brother
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The pilot of a helicopter that crashed into the Tennessee River, killing his brother, has been identified as a Knoxville businessman and co-founder of a national home-building company.
Jim Clayton, 86, was flying the aircraft when it went down on Aug. 3, killing his brother and business partner Joe Clayton, the public relations firm Moxley-Carmichael, which represents Jim Clayton.
The two co-founded the Maryville, Tennessee-based Clayton Homes, which builds and sells modular and manufactured homes, among other structures.
The pilot was attempting to land on his property along the river when he crashed shortly before 8 p.m., according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board.
Jim Clayton, along with his grandson Flynt Griffin, 40, and Knoxville businessman John McBride, 65, escaped the wreckage unharmed and were rescued by a pontoon boat on the water, authorities said.
The body of Joe Clayton, 84, was recovered about two hours later, a Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman said.
The helicopter sank to the bottom of the river, about 435 feet (133 meters) from the landing site on Jim Clayton’s property, according to the report.
Aggressive panhandlers at intersections violate city ordinances, impede traffic & create safety concerns
From the Jackson Police Department –
In the Jackson Police Department’s endeavoring efforts in developing co-active partnerships with the community and reducing problems that affect the community, the Jackson Police Department has investigated the communities concerns on aggressive panhandling at intersections.
The Jackson Police Department determined that several of the panhandlers working various intersections around the city were in fact violating some of Jackson’s City Ordinances.
Not only were the panhandlers violating City Ordinances, the panhandlers were creating concerns for safety when walking out into traffic; panhandlers were littering which was a cost to tax payers for cleanup.
Jackson Police cited six individuals for seven violations of Aggressive Panhandling. We will continue to address violations of the City’s Aggressive Panhandling Ordinances that occur at various intersections throughout the city.
Monte Belew is new UT Martin director of public safety
MARTIN, Tenn. – Longtime law enforcement professional and Henry County Sheriff Monte Belew has joined the University of Tennessee at Martin as the new director of public safety. The UT Martin criminal justice graduate has served as Henry County sheriff since 2006 and previously served as a Tennessee State Trooper and as a patrolman, school resource officer and teacher for the Jackson Police Department.
“We’re excited that Sheriff Belew has joined the UT Martin community,” said Petra McPhearson, UT Martin vice chancellor for finance and administration, in a statement. “His background in law enforcement, training and community relations make him an incredible leader for our public safety team.”
In his new role, Belew is responsible for directing UT Martin’s efforts to provide a safe, secure and orderly environment for members of the university community and campus visitors. He will also lead crime prevention activities and education, enforcement activities and interact extensively with students, faculty, staff members and others who are associated with or impacted by the university.
“I am honored and excited about becoming a part of the University of Tennessee at Martin family,” Belew said in a statement. “I look forward to working with all students and faculty as public safety director. My number-one goal is the safety and security for everyone at UTM, and I want to continue making UTM a great place to be.”
Belew’s law-enforcement experience includes completion of professional-development opportunities with the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy and the Tennessee Highway Patrol Cadet School. He was honored as the Henry County 4-H Outstanding Service Award recipient in 2004, the Tennessee Constables Sheriff of the Year in 2009 and with the Woodmen of the World Community Leadership Award in 2010.
(PHOTO: Panhandlers work Jackson streets)
