West TN Meth Ring Busted: 7 Face Decades in Federal Prison

JACKSON, TN – A major drug trafficking operation flooding West Tennessee with poison has been cracked, with seven individuals indicted on a staggering 16-count indictment. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee announced the charges today, stemming from a nearly two-year investigation into a ring responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and Xanax. This isn’t some small-time operation; we’re talking about serious players moving serious weight.

Federal, state, and local law enforcement moved on Thursday and Friday, rounding up four of the defendants. Two were already cooling their heels in jail on unrelated charges, and one, Robert Newsom, 34, of Jackson, Tennessee, is currently on the run. The investigation, which began in August 2015 and continued through May 2016, revealed a sophisticated conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 50 grams of “ice” – methamphetamine with a purity exceeding 80 percent. These weren’t hobbyists; they were professionals.

The indicted include: Bernard Cooper, 31, of Jackson, Tennessee; Courtney Cooper, 37, of Jackson, Tennessee; Robert Newsom, 34, of Jackson, Tennessee (fugitive); Brandon Weddle, 27, of Jackson, Tennessee; Ronricus Chapman, 30, of Jackson, Tennessee; Morgan Bond, 29, of Jackson, Tennessee; and Stephen Williams, 29, of Jackson, Tennessee. All seven are accused of conspiring to distribute the deadly drugs, aiding and abetting each other in the commission of the crimes. The scale of this operation is frankly disturbing.

Law enforcement isn’t just relying on the indictment; they’ve got the hardware to back it up. Over the course of the investigation, officers seized a massive haul: over 550 kilograms of marijuana, 240 grams of ice, 220 grams of cocaine, 20 grams of heroin, and 1,000 Xanax pills. The recent round-up yielded another eight pounds of marijuana, plus smaller amounts of heroin, cocaine, and Xanax. They also confiscated two loaded pistols and five vehicles, suggesting this group wasn’t afraid to use force to protect their business.

The charges don’t stop at simple conspiracy. Bernard Cooper, Newsome, Weddle, Chapman, and Bond face additional counts related to distributing over 100 kilograms of marijuana and more than 50 grams of ice. Bernard Cooper and Newsome are further charged with distributing over five grams of ice. Bernard Cooper and Courtney Cooper face charges for meth distribution. Bernard Cooper is also accused of illegally possessing a .223 caliber rifle and distributing heroin. Williams is charged with possessing a 12-gauge shotgun shipped across state lines. Courtney Cooper faces additional ice distribution charges. The indictment is a laundry list of criminal activity.

These defendants are looking at serious time. All seven face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in federal prison and fines of up to $10 million for the conspiracy and aiding and abetting charges. Additional charges carry penalties ranging from five to 20 years behind bars and up to another $10 million in fines. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). Expect more details to emerge as the case unfolds. Grimy Times will continue to follow this story.

RELATED: Panhandle Payout: Meth Mule Faces Decades in Federal Prison

RELATED: WV Barber Board Staffer Scammed Nail Techs, Pocketed $1855