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Kingsport Police Department
David Quillin, Chief of Police 200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 |
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| NEWS RELEASE | |||
| SUBJECT: | K.P.D. Vice Operation Nets Four Drug Offenders | ||
| DATE: | April 18, 2019 | ||
| CASE #: | 19-008017 | ||
| GENERAL NARRATIVE | |||
| On April 18, 2019 at approximately 11:30 AM, the Kingsport Police Department Vice and Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at a residence located at 814 Myrtle Street in Kingsport. The search warrant was part of an extensive ongoing investigation into the trafficking of illegal narcotics.
As a result of the search, four suspects were charged and arrested. These individuals include Sanford Hodge, Jr., Gunnar L. Smith, Erwin O. Lewis, and Whalen M. Carpenter. All four suspects were charged with 1) Sale and Delivery of Over 26 Grams of a Schedule II Drug (Crack Cocaine) within 1,000 Feet of a City Park, 2) Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, 3) Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substance Use or Distribution, and 4) Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia. Mr. Hodge, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. Carpenter were additionally charged with the offense of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Mr. Hodge was also charged with Simple Possession/Casual Exchange of a Schedule VI Drug (Marijuana). Mr. Lewis was also wanted on preexisting warrants held by the Kingsport Police Department and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office. As of the time of issuance of this news release, all four suspects remain incarcerated in the Kingsport City Jail, each in lieu of a $50,000 bond. The K.P.D. Vice and Narcotics Unit was able to successfully carry out this operation without incident thanks to invaluable cooperative assistance provided by the K.P.D. S.W.A.T. Team, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office Vice and Narcotics Unit, and the 2nd Judicial District Drug Task Force. |
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| SUSPECT #1 INFORMATION | |
| Name | Sanford Hodge, Jr. |
| Age | Date of Birth 5/5/1960
58 Years of Age |
| Gender/Race | Male/Black |
| Residency | 714 Maple Oak Lane, Apt. C
Kingsport, TN |
| Charge(s) | 1) Sale and Delivery of Over 26 Grams of a Schedule II Drug (Crack Cocaine) within 1,000 Feet of a City Park
2) Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony 3) Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substance Use or Distribution 4) Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia 5) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon 6) Simple Possession/Casual Exchange of a Schedule VI Drug (Marijuana) |
| SUSPECT #2 INFORMATION | |
| Name | Gunnar L. Smith |
| Age | Date of Birth 11/6/1958
60 Years of Age |
| Gender/Race | Male/White |
| Residency | 814 Myrtle Street
Kingsport, TN |
| Charge(s) | 1) Sale and Delivery of Over 26 Grams of a Schedule II Drug (Crack Cocaine) within 1,000 Feet of a City Park
2) Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony 3) Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substance Use or Distribution 4) Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia |
| SUSPECT #3 INFORMATION | |
| Name | Erwin O. Lewis |
| Age | Date of Birth 2/14/1975
44 Years of Age |
| Gender/Race | Male/Black |
| Residency | Homeless
Kingsport, TN |
| Charge(s) | 1) Sale and Delivery of Over 26 Grams of a Schedule II Drug (Crack Cocaine) within 1,000 Feet of a City Park
2) Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony 3) Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substance Use or Distribution 4) Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia 5) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon 6) Also Wanted on Preexisting Warrants by K.P.D. and S.C.S.O. |
| SUSPECT #4 INFORMATION | |
| Name | Whalen M. Carpenter |
| Age | Date of Birth 3/1/1964
55 Years of Age |
| Gender/Race | Male/Black |
| Residency | 686 Dale Street
Kingsport, TN |
| Charge(s) | 1) Sale and Delivery of Over 26 Grams of a Schedule II Drug (Crack Cocaine) within 1,000 Feet of a City Park
2) Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony 3) Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substance Use or Distribution 4) Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia 5) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon |
| RELEASING OFFICER | ||
| Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX) ThomasMPatton |
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