Fentanyl.PRO | 5 arrested in Murfreesboro, according to TBI

Fentanyl, marijuana seized in Pickwick Drive raid

15 Jun 5 arrested in Murfreesboro, according to TBI

Posted at 02:46h in Fentanyl, First Responders, Overdose by admin 0 Comments

Mealand Ragland-Hudgins, Murfreesboro Daily News Journal
Published 2:39 p.m. CT June 14, 2019 | Updated 4:34 p.m. CT June 14, 2019

Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and up to 100 times more potent than morphine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Wochit, Elissa Robinson/Wochit

MURFREESBORO — A months-long investigation into fentanyl-laced heroin overdoses by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration and Murfreesboro Police Department has ended with five arrests.

In late 2018, law enforcement began looking into a series of overdoses in Murfreesboro, according to a news release from the TBI. As the case unfolded, investigators went undercover and found several people involved with the distribution of heroin and methamphetamine throughout Middle Tennessee.

The investigation also yielded the seizure of heroin, methamphetamine, stolen weapons, and cash, the release said.

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On June 4, the Rutherford County Grand Jury returned indictments charging five people with drug-related offenses. They were all arrested this week and booked into the Rutherford County Jail.

Those indicted include:

Robert Ray Yates, 37, of Cleveland, Ohio. Charges including 15 counts manufacture, delivery, sale or possession with intent related to methamphetamine, and nine counts related to the sale, possession, delivery and manufacture of heroin. His bond has been set at $105,000. Yates was arrested on similar charges in December.

Carmarski Butler, 44, of Murfreesboro: Charges include conspiracy to distribute 300 grams or more of methamphetamine and seven counts related to the sale, delivery and intent to distribute the meth. His bond has been set at $100,000.

John Bates, 32, of Murfreesboro: Charges include nine counts of the manufacture, delivery, sale and possession of heroin, and distribution of meth. He has been released on $100,000 bond.

Antonio Johnson, 39, of Murfreesboro: Charges include conspiracy to distribute 300 grams or more methamphetamine, maintaining a dwelling for drug use, possession of a firearm and manufacture, delivery, sale, and possession with intent to distribute drugs in a school zone. Johnson was arrested on similar charges in December and allowed to use the $55,000 bond paid at that time on this arrest.

Shatika Floyd, 35, of Murfreesboro: Charges include conspiracy to distribute 300 grams or more of meth, maintaining a dwelling for drug use, manufacture, delivery, sale, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Floyd was arrested on similar charges in December and allowed to use the $55,000 bond paid at that time on this arrest.