Claiborne sheriff David Ray and his department spent a good portion of last week, sweeping the two high schools and the county in general for drugs. The CCSO deputies, along with officers from the New Tazewell Police Department, spent much of May 18 arresting a total eight suspects on drug-related charges, from across the county.

On Monday of last week the CCSO, assisted by four Knox County K-9 drug officers and their dogs, swept the student areas, lockers and parking lots of Claiborne and Cumberland Gap High Schools for illegal drugs.

The K-9 dogs alerted officers to six areas at Claiborne High, resulting in the issuing of citations to court. Two areas at Cumberland Gap High were pointed by the dogs. However, no citations were issued.

The roundup of the alleged eight drug dealers was a result of 15 sealed indictments handed down by the Claiborne Grand Jury. The true bills charge these suspects with the sale and delivery of various illegal drugs that include methamphetamine, opanas, hydrocodone, Xanas, suboxone and clonazapam.

One suspect was arrest for alleged TennCare fraud.

The May 14 roundup is but the first of many planned over the next weeks.

Those indicted and arrested in the roundup follows.

Louetta Jane Turner, 38, charged with two counts of the sale and delivery of methampetamine, is held on a $25,000 secured bond.

Lisa Marie Leonard, 34, charged with the sale and delivery of methamphetamine, is held on a $30,000 bond.

Vance Edward Littrell, 52, charged with the sale and deliver of a schedule II and a schedule III drugs, is held on a $30,000 secured bond.

Danny Lee Sizelove, 24, charged with the sale and delivery of a schedule III drugs, is held on a $20,000 secured bond.

Travis Joe Jordan, 38, charged with the sale and delivery of methamphetamine, is held on a $40,000 secured bond.

Christopher Adam Bishop, 45, charged with failure to appear, is held on a $5,000 secured bond.

Charles Seabolt, 62, charged with two counts of the sale and delivery of a schedule III drugs inside a drug free zone and for one count of TennCare fraud, is held on a $40,000 bond.

Billy Adkins, 69, charged with the sale and delivery of a schedule II drugs, is held on a $25,000 bond.

These suspects will be arraigned in court on May 29.

More indictments are expected.

The sweep that occurred at the two high schools was the result of a cooperative effort between the CCSO and the Claiborne school system and its ongoing enforcement of the zero tolerance policy.

“These sweeps will continue into the new school year,” said Ray.