Campground drug arrest made; other arrests reported

STAFF REPORTS

While patrolling Melton Hill Dam Campground on Tuesday, April 29, Deputy Reagan noticed a white male carrying a green bag that immediately aroused the officer’s suspicion.

Shortly after Reagan noticed the one man, another man came up to the male and began conversing — to which Reagan approached and had his initial encounter.

The first male with the bag, later identified as William Crawford, began to share that he initially was with a friend from Seymour who had left him at the campground. Crawford said that he was now waiting for his mother, who was coming from Rockwood to pick him up.

Reagan explained his reason for patrol, stating that there had been frequent calls at the campground for public nudity in walking areas as well as the use of illegal narcotics. As soon as that last word was out of the deputy’s mouth, Crawford reportedly began to show signs of nervousness, sweating and reaching into his pockets and diverting the topic of conversation.

Expecting that the pair would leave, Deputy Reagan left the Overlook and began to patrol the rest of the campground. When he returned around 30 minutes later, the two were still there where he’d left them.

Crawford stated that he’d now been waiting for an hour, but refused an offer from Deputy Reagan to give him a ride to where he needed to go.

Small talk reportedly ensued as Crawford began walking toward the officer and leaving his possessions at the table where he had been sitting.

The deputy, assuming Crawford was creating distance between him and the bag, ended the conversation and asked the now suspect for his identification. When his information was relayed to dispatch, it became evident that Crawford had active warrants out for his arrest in Hamilton County — where he failed to appear in court for previous drug charges.

Crawford was then detained by Deputy Reagan.

The officer began to ask if Crawford had any weapons or tools that could poke or stab him. Crawford said he had needles in his bag as well as methamphetamine in his wallet. The deputy searched the suspect’s bag and located a syringe with brown residue, as well as crystal-like substances in his wallet.

At this time, Dispatch confirmed that Hamilton County had made accounts of his warrants, confirming they would turn him over to the Loudon County Sheriff ’s Office. Deputy Reagan placed the suspect in the back of his car, began to ask him if there were any other narcotics on him to which Crawford refused to answer. As he was refusing, Reagan noticed his passenger making erratic movements in the backseat and sweating profusely.

When asked about the last time he had used methamphetamine, Crawford stated that he had used some that morning.

Once at the jail, Deputy Lee and Deputy Pratt again asked if there were any more illegal substances on Crawford, to which he again refused to answer. He went through two patdowns and nothing was found.

When he sat down on a bench in the jail, however, a small baggie fell out of his pant leg … also filled with a crystal substance. The bag was placed in evidence, and Crawford was held in Loudon County Jail on charges of contraband in a penal institution and manufacturing, delivery, sale or possession of methamphetamine.

APRIL 28

Thomas Edward Norman III, 72, Loudon, was charged with capias-criminal court and released on $1500 bond.

Christopher Eugene Page, 39, Lenoir City, was charged with violation of probation and held without bond.

Billie Earl Robinson, 51, Huntsville, AL, was charged with driving under the influence, manufacturing, delivery, sale or possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest and held on $38,000.

APRIL 29

Martha Lucille Bush, 76, Loudon, was charged with violation of order of protection/ restraining order and released on $4000 bond.

William Edward Crawford Jr., 47, Rockwood, was charged with contraband in a penal institution, manufacturing, delivery, sale or possession of meth and held on $45,000 bond.

Christopher Steven Dailey, 42, Loudon, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, simple possession/ casual exchange and held on $3000.

Jeremy Lyn Gaylon, 48, Loudon, was charged with domestic assault and released on $1,500 bond.

Jacob Matthew Haney, 31, Lenoir City, was charged with driving under the influence and released on $1500 bond.

Roger Leigh Haynes, 43, Philadelphia, was charged with driving under the influence, financial responsibility law, lights required on a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and released on $2500 bond.

Bruce Aaron Heacock, 44, Dandridge, was charged with driving on revoked/suspended license, vandalism and held on $2000 bond.

Megan Kaye Keaton, 41, Sweetwater, was charged with public intoxication and held without bond.

David Garrett Moore, 37, Philadelphia, was charged with taking wildlife without license and released on $1000 bond.

Jeffrey Scott Schneider, 62, Sweetwater, was charged with capias-municipal court and released on $8000 bond.

APRIL 30

Fabian Oedro Aguilera, 31, Loudon, was charged with driving on a revoked/ suspended license and released on $1000 bond.

Jorge Chavez-Torres, 49, Loudon, was charged with aggravated assault and released on $15,000 bond.

Joseph Aaron Duggan, 48, Lenoir City, was charged with evading arrest, failure to appear-municipal court, manufacturing, delivery, sale or possession of meth, resisting arrest, simple possession/casual exchange and held on $14,500 bond.

Felix Yarien Esquijerosa- Esponosa, 37, Hialeah, FL, was charged with court only and released without bond.

Dakota Leighann Hackler, 28, homeless, was charged with domestic assault and held on $1500 bond.

Gary Alan Helton, 42, Lenoir City, was charged with capias-general sessions, harassment (verbal threat), two counts of violation of order of protection/ restraining order and held on $6000 bond.