Home at center of fatal shooting shutdown, Loudon Co. officials say

LOUDON COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Officials with the Loudon County Sheriff's Office said deputies and DTF agents assisted the 9th Judicial District Attorney's Office in the closure of a nuisance house that was the center of continuous drug issues and the scene of a fatal shooting in August.

The home, on the 600 block of Tinnel Lane in Northern Loudon County, was the location of a shooting on August 20 that killed Christopher Watson, 34. John Dixon Jr., 41, was charged with first-degree murder and felon in possession of a handgun after the incident.

According to reports, the home had a significant amount of illegal drugs and drug use including methamphetamine, heroin and prescription pills. Officials said drug intoxication and aggravated crimes connected to the substances have repeatedly occurred at the residence.

The home is in a protected zone, within 1,000 feet of Highland Park Elementary School.

Officials said Christina Cook, a known drug dealer in the area, admitted to being at the home with Rebecca Key and Jamie Kitts. According to reports, Cook told officials that Key sold pills to Cheryl Spangler at the home. Key is currently in federal custody for the manufacture, sale and delivery of methamphetamine.

Cook also told officials Kitts would reportedly distribute marijuana at the home. Officials said Kits is a known drug dealer in the area. She is currently in federal custody for the manufacture, sale and delivery of methamphetamine.

On September 3, officials said Brandon Coffman, another resident of the home, spoke to DTF agents and said his mother paid Spangler $80 per week to stay at the home. Coffman said in return, he would mix illegal narcotics for injecting Spangler. Coffman said Chris Watson, who was killed in the shooting, would also "fix shots."

According to reports, Coffman said Spangler "would rent the rooms out for dope." He also said Spangler has overdosed twice.

On August 27, DTF agents did a follow-up interview at the home where they arrested Coffman who had an active warrant for violating probation.

Agents also spoke with Spangler who said she was the head of the household and often rents out rooms in the home. According to officials, Spangler said Jerry Ray Parton, who is reportedly known to sell illegal narcotics, lives in the garage.

During the August 27 visit officials also made contact with Terry Thomas who was charged and convicted of theft and fraud.

Just before the shooting on August 20, officials arrested Tina Shelton and Anthony Satterfield at the home. The two had active warrants and officials found several baggies of methamphetamine, scales and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.

At 5 p.m. on August 20, officials responded to the shooting that killed Christopher Watson. After an investigation, officials said the shooting happened over a $40 drug debt. Watson was reportedly known by agents to sell and use illegal narcotics, according to reports.

Officials said a confidential informant arranged a $100 methamphetamine purchase from David Blake Abney at the home. The informant was wearing a recording device and successfully purchased 2.5 grams of methamphetamine.

According to reports, officials have responded to numerous calls of theft, drug sales and drug use at the home since 2015.

"After numerous calls for service in a short time frame, several arrests and criminal and drug charges pending, the investigation shows that this residence continues to be a hub of drug activity and violence," Loudon County officials said.

Officials with the Loudon County Sheriff's Office said they work closely with the District Attorney and Drug Task Force to identify known drug operations and close them down.

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10/16/19