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The Carter County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) in Elizabethton, Tenn. reported that ten individuals were indicted on drug charges after an investigation into fentanyl trafficking, named “Operation Blue Skies.”
According to a CCSO release, the investigation started in March, leading to the grand jury issuing indictments on Monday for these individuals:
- Noah William Cooper, 20, of Kingsport, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute 150 grams or More of a Controlled Substance
- Dylan Lee Messer, 27, of Johnson City, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute 150 grams or More of a Controlled Substance; Possession of a Controlled Substance 15 grams or more; Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance; Possession of a Firearm During Commission of Dangerous Felony; Maintaing Dwelling Where Controlled Substances are Stored/Sold and Sale of Schedule II Controlled Substance
Cooper was determined to be the head of the operation, and he, along with Messer, is in federal custody, the release said.
The grand jury issued indictments for the following individuals allegedly involved in the distribution:
- Jesse Calvin Felts III, 22, of Elizabethton, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute 150 grams or More of Controlled Substance
- Matthew Hunter Hudson, 21, of Elizabethton, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute 150 grams or More of Controlled Substance; Sale of Schedule I Controlled Substance; and Sale of Schedule II Controlled Substance
- Alexys Keyanna Shipley, 26, of Lebanon, Va., was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute 150 grams or More of a Controlled Substance; Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Dangerous Felony; and Maintaining a Dwelling Where Controlled Substances are Stored/Sold
- Chase Jonathan Miller, 22, of Johnson City, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute 150 grams or More of Controlled Substance; Sale of Schedule I Controlled Substance; and Sale of Schedule II Controlled Substance
- Ethan Henry Harvey, 19, of Johnson City, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute 150 grams or More of Controlled Substance; and Sale of Schedule II Controlled Substance
- Brooklyn Sue Collins, 22, of Elizabethton, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute 150 grams or More of a Controlled Substance; Possession of a Controlled Substance 15 grams or more; and Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance
- Ronald Paul Kelley Jr., 54, of Johnson City, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute 150 grams or More of Controlled Substance
- Zachary Allen Carr, 24, of Elizabethton, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute 150 grams or More of Controlled Substance
Felts is currently detained at the Carter County Detention Center (CCDC) on an indictment, facing a charge of second-degree murder related to the overdose death of a juvenile, as well as other charges. A court order has denied him bond, keeping him in custody.
Hudson and Shipley are being held at the CCDC on the indictment, as well as additional charges related to a separate incident, according to the release. Their bond was set at $125,000 each.
Carr, Miller and Harvey are being held at the CCDC. Their bond was set at $100,000 each.
Collins was booked into the CCDC on April 14 but was released after posting a $100,000 bond.
Kelley Jr. was booked into the CCDC on May 16 but was released after posting a $100,000 bond.