Multi-agency investigation leads to drug bust, arrest
Published 8:50 pm Wednesday, November 8, 2017
<p>Photo courtesy of Tazewell Police Department</p> <p>Tennessee Highway Patrol Troopers Rex Bailey, left, and Bobby Brooks with some of the crystal methamphetamine found at a local motel Wednesday. The find was the result of a multi-agency investigation.</p>
<p>Photo courtesy of Tazewell Police Department</p> <p>A multi-agency investigation led to the drug possession arrest Wednesday of a man wanted in connection with an alleged homicide in Georgia. Pictured with some of the 2 pounds, 8 ounces of crystal methamphetamine found in a room of the Dixie Plaza Motel in Tazewell are from left, Tazewell Police Department Chief Mark Lamb; Middlesboro, Kentucky, Police Department Chief Jeff Sharpe; MPD Lt. Joe Holder; TPD Lt. Jeremy Myers, investigator; MPD Sgt. Barry Cowan; New Tazewell Police Department Lt. Gary Ruszkowski, investigator.</p>
A joint investigation with several law enforcement agencies resulted in a large methamphetamine bust and the arrest of a homicide suspect from Georgia on Wednesday.
According to Investigator Lt. Jeremy Myers of the Tazewell Police Department, a traffic stop Tuesday night in Middlesboro, Kentucky, led to a tip to Middlesboro Police Department Sgt. Barry Cowan about the possibility of drugs at a motel in Tazewell. Cowan notified Myers of the tip, who in turn enlisted the assistance of Lt. Gary Ruszkowski with the New Tazewell Police Department and Tennessee Highway Patrol Troopers Bobby Brooks and Rex Bailey.
“The tip from Sgt. Cowan led to a vehicle stop conducted by Officer Andrew Sturgill (of the TPD) and the assisting agencies, which led to room 6 of the Dixie Plaza Motel (in Tazewell),” Myers said. “That’s where a wanted homicide suspect from Georgia had rented a room.”
After a search of the room, 2 pounds, 8 ounces of crystal methamphetamine was located, he said.
The man arrested in Tazewell is Steven James Turbeville, of Winder, Georgia.
“He was wanted for homicide and has an extensive criminal history,” Myers said.
Turbeville was arrested and taken to the Claiborne County Jail. He is charged with possession of methamphetamine over 5 grams for resale.
The Claiborne Progress will have more information on the multi-agency investigation as it is released.
