SPD Conducts Drug Operation Resulting in Eleven Arrests

Posted 03-21-22.

The Sevierville Police Department SWAT and other specialized team members and officers including Criminal Investigations and Narcotics, with assistance from SWAT and specialized team members and officers from the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office (SORT), Pigeon Forge Police Department (TRU), Gatlinburg Police Department (TRT), and Sevier County Street Crimes Unit, served search warrants at several Sevierville locations Friday evening, March 18, 2022.

In a pre-planned operation beginning at approximately 5:30 p.m., search warrants were executed at 129 North Parkway, 112 King Street, and 101 Pigeon Street apartment 9. Law enforcement officials had become aware of considerable drug activity that was being conducted in a coordinated manner at these locations. Seven drug overdoses, four of which resulted in death, have occurred at the King Street and North Parkway locations since August 2021. In just one recent 24-hour period (March 13-14, 2022), there were two overdose deaths.

“I’m proud of the officers that worked long and hard gathering intelligence and then conducting this operation, and thankful for the support of our neighboring law enforcement agencies” said SPD Chief Joseph Manning. “Our residents deserve to be able to live without illegal drug activity in their neighborhood and all of the associated problems. We will continue to investigate illegal drug activity and work with our area law enforcement partners to keep our community safe.”

Officials seized heroin, methamphetamine, and assorted drug paraphernalia. The following persons were arrested during the operation.

Lucas R. Gribble, 39-years old of Sevierville, manufacturing, delivery, sale or possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, capias child support.
Cory D. Kinser, 39, Sevierville, manufacturing, delivery, sale or possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Autumn P. Whittington, 28, Lenoir City, TN, manufacturing, delivery, sale or possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Sean P. Regan, 50, Sevierville, manufacturing, delivery, sale or possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Cory A. White, 48, Seymour, TN, manufacturing, delivery, sale or possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Ricky L. Mashburn, 60, Sevierville, manufacturing, delivery, sale or possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Lacey A. Rayfield, 31, Sevierville, manufacturing, delivery, sale or possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Kristy S. Bentley, 45, Sevierville, manufacturing, delivery, sale or possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, sale, delivery, manufacturing of heroin.
Bruce Ogle III, 48, Sevierville, possession of drug paraphernalia.
Samuel H. Floyd, 30, Pigeon Forge, possession of drug paraphernalia.
Maria D. Johnson, 24, Sevierville, Capias Juvenile Court X2.

All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.