Agents Arrest Nine Maury County Residents for Drug Trafficking Offenses

NASHVILLE, TN—Edward M. Yarbrough, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, announced today the arrests of five Maury County residents for federal drug trafficking crimes. Mitchell D. Arms, 28, Terry A. Strayhorn, 28, and Robert D. Dawson, 30, all of Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee, and Rickey E. Davis, Jr., 28, of Columbia, were indicted by a federal Grand Jury this week for possession with the intent to distribute and the distribution of crack cocaine. Robert A. Gaines, 32, also of Mt. Pleasant, was indicted for possession with the intent to distribute and the distribution of cocaine. Four other area residents, Kevin O. Venoy, 24, Trenton D. Martin, 18, James H. Martin, Jr., 43, and Avery D. Harwell, 20, all of Mt. Pleasant, were arrested on state drug trafficking charges.

The charges are the result of an extensive investigation conducted by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Maury County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbia Police Department, and the Mt. Pleasant Police Department into drug trafficking activities in and around Maury County.

“This investigation is a perfect example of what can be accomplished with successful partnerships among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies,” said Yarbrough. “This coordinated effort reflects the sustained commitment necessary at all levels of law enforcement to combat drug trafficking in our communities,” echoed My Harrison, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Memphis Field Division.

Charges brought against a person through complaint or indictment are accusations only. That person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.