March 12, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Drug Investigation Yields Indictments and New East Nashville Intervention Project

East Precinct officers, with the assistance of ATF agents and deputy U.S. marshals, today arrested 18 persons as part of a year-long investigation targeting street-level crack cocaine dealers.  All of the suspects charged sold crack to undercover police operatives in the 800 block of North 2^nd Street. The transactions were videotaped.

“Enough is enough, and its time for this section of North 2^nd Street to shed its reputation as an open-air drug market,” Chief Ronal Serpas said.

Arrested today on sealed grand jury indictments charging the sale of cocaine are:

• J.D. Hill, 52, of Meridian Street

• Andrew Gantt, 24, of Myrtle Street

• Ulysses Daniel, 51, of N. 2^nd Street

• Larry Guthrie, 43, of Rosebank Avenue

• Lorenzo Lee, 41, of Shepherd Hills Drive

• Marquis Neal, 23, of Wade Avenue

• Gerald Osborne, 38, of Cleveland Street

• Jimmy Osborne, 39, of Janette Street in Goodlettsville

• Brandon Smith, 24, of Creekwood Drive

• Artrell Wade, 20, of N. 2^nd Street

• Bobby Carney, 41, of Indiana Avenue

• Derrick Johnson, 25, of 16^th Avenue North

• Peter Pride, 32, of Lischey Avenue

• Alfred Whitehead, 35, of Joseph Avenue

• Jonathan Mickle, 42, of N. 2^nd Street

Arrested today on warrants charging the sale of cocaine are:

• Joeanna Kelly, 49, of Lafayette Street

• Katrina Mason, 36, of N. 2^nd Street

Arrested today on a warrant charging the sale of counterfeit cocaine is

• Shelmika Summers, 29, of N. 2^nd Street

The seven-member East Precinct Crime Suppression Unit headed by Sergeant Chuck Rutzky conducted this investigation on various days and times over the past year.  Their outstanding work led to the indictments and arrest warrants.

Six additional persons have also been identified as taking part in cocaine sales.  However, through a unique program known as the East Nashville Intervention Project (ENIP), charges against those six will not be placed at present to give them an opportunity to turn away from criminal behavior.

ENIP is modeled after a similar initiative in High Point , North Carolina , in which law enforcement and social service agencies partner together to intervene in the lives of suspects, such as the six in Nashville , who do not have lengthy arrest histories or prior crimes of violence.  In addition to providing a second chance, ENIP is aimed at deterring crime associated with the illegal drug trade, including aggravated assaults, robberies and property crimes.

The six persons chosen to participate in ENIP will meet with police officers, prosecutors, clergy members, and service providers Monday night.  They will be told they have two alternatives:  turn away from a life of crime and live responsibly OR go to jail on drug charges.

“Arrest is not the long-term solution to crime,” Chief Serpas said.  “Education and participation in our city’s thriving economy is the ultimate answer.  This second chance option has met with success in High Point .  It is my sincere hope that the six persons in this drug investigation will take advantage of ENIP, which could well be expanded in the future.”

 

 

June 29, 2007

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

     An investigation by East Precinct Crime Suppression Unit detectives into the sale of illegal drug paraphernalia at several Dickerson Pike markets has resulted in the revocation of three beer permits by the Metropolitan Beer Board and the suspension of two others.

     The investigation began in February 2007 in response to neighborhood and business quality of life and safety issues.   

     In March, a clerk at the Last Chance Market at 839 Dickerson Pike sold an undercover detective a glass pipe from behind the counter.  The pipes were sold in packages containing a steel wool filter or “Chore Boy”, a glass pipe, and a lighter for $3.75.            

     Community representatives from area businesses and neighborhood associations filed formal complaints against the markets to the Metropolitan Beer Board.  In a hearing Wednesday, the Beer Board voted to revoke the beer permits from the following stores:

 

·        The BP at 701 Dickerson Pike

·        The Last Chance Market at 839 Dickerson Pike

·        Discount Tobacco at 2323 Dickerson Pike

 

     Beer permits for the Citgo at 3056 Dickerson Pike and the Phillips 66 at 3100 Dickerson Pike were suspended for 30 days.  These stores were also placed on 180 days probation.