LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – “It was a very successful day,” said Matthew Forsyth a narcotics agent with LaFollette Police Department and the drug task force.  Wednesday’s 6 am start by agents from the La Follette Police Department, the Eighth Judicial District Drug Task Force, Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the DEA, Jacksboro Police, Caryville Police and the Tennessee Highway Patrol resulted in nearly 20 arrests with more expected.

“This effort would not have been possible without LPD Chief Bill Roehl leading the way and providing the tools needed to conduct such investigations netting these arrests.  Eighth Judicial District Attorney General Jared Effler makes sure that we are able to do our job and protect this community,” said Forsyth.

See most of the arrests HERE.

“The majority of today’s arrests originated with search warrants where arrests were not initially made, but we came back this morning and served indictments as well as several outstanding violation of probation warrants,” Forsyth said.  Bond amounts on Wednesday’s arrests range all the way up to $100,000.  “Bonds are generally higher with indictments,” Forsyth said.

“Some of these cases are a year or longer old.  It was a joint effort of cases,” said Forsyth.  Once today’s efforts are all said and done, 24 total arrests are expected.  “We’re sort of cleaning everything up and even getting phone calls from some of the targets who were not at home when we stopped by this morning.  They’re making arrangements for us to arrest them,” said Forsyth.

During the stops, agents recovered meth, marijuana and a variety of prescription pills.  The first arrests were made before sun up between 6:30 and 6:45 am Wednesday.

Forsyth emphasized the importance of the public’s help.  “We really appreciate the public helping us with our investigations,” he stated.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/26/2020-1PM)

 

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