Approximately a year and half ago, at the conclusion of covert operation called Operation Street Sweep, I made a concluding statement that it was time for Step II. So, a plan was developed.

A year ago, Franklin County Sheriff Mike Foster, Chief Deputy Tim Fuller, Estill Springs Police Chief David Cook, 12th Judicial District Attorney General Mike Taylor and myself developed a plan for Operation Street Sweep-Step II. A plan to embark on a covert drug operation that would surpass in productivity all other covert operations of Law Enforcement in Franklin County. This plan was shown to Mayor Richard Stewart and City Administrator Beth Rhoton. Mayor Stewart, in an example of his proven leadership as Mayor of City of Winchester, endorsed the plan and gave his full support, as well as, City Administrator Beth Rhoton.

An officer was hired to fill a vacated position within the Winchester Public Safety Department and trained at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy under the guidance of Director Mark Bracy. The officer was placed into the drug world where he has existed for one year. He had only one primary contact person, Winchester Investigator Herb Glassmeyer, a 38-year veteran specializing in covert operations.

We thus embarked on Operation Street Sweep II, a yearlong investigation into drug trafficking in Franklin County.
Recently, Franklin County has been publicized as the leader in Methamphetamine production in the State of Tennessee and for your information, Franklin County and Southern Middle Tennessee has become the target for Crack Cocaine dealers from the Nashville and Chattanooga areas. Along with this notoriety, comes an increase in violent crimes as well as property crimes. The persons being arrested as a result of this investigation have been linked to other crimes prior to and during this operation, such as; homicides, murder for hire plots, armed robberies, auto thefts, commercial and residential burglaries, and aggravated child abuse to name a few.

We have had gang members brought into Winchester and Franklin County from Nashville, Chattanooga, and Huntsville, Alabama over the last two years in an attempt to intimidate witnesses, informants, and Law Enforcement activities.

WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED, on the contrary, it makes us more determined than ever to fight drugs in our communities.

As leaders in our respective agencies, we were entrusted with the safety of all our citizens. We are willing to make any sacrifice, to make Franklin County and our communities a safer place to raise our families.

The intelligence gathered during this investigation, as well as other means, will give foresight into ongoing investigations concerning drug trafficking and violent crimes by our agencies, the TBI, the DEA, and the ATF, which will undoubtedly lead to future arrest.

The success of this operation could not have been accomplished without the cooperation of all the agencies involved and without the bravery, unselfishness, and dedication to public service of Officer Wesley Parks.

During this investigation, Officer Parks learned first hand of the criminal violence associated within the drug world, as he became a victim of such crimes during the investigation. His bravery and dedication to this operation showed as he picked himself up after each incident and continued on, knowing that his life was on the line every day. All of us owe a deep gratitude to him and his family for the sacrifices they made to make this a success.

As a result of his dedication and the dedication of the officers and criminal investigators of our respective agencies, we are presently arresting over 100 drug dealers stemming from several hundred sealed indictments rendered by the Franklin County Grand Jury and the Federal Grand Jury.

We are proud to announce that this is the largest roundup in the history of Law Enforcement in Franklin County.
THANK YOU!