Fentanyl Charge among those in Circuit Court
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Fentanyl Charge among those in Circuit Court
By Shane Gilreath
Judge Zachary Walden handed down several dispositions in Circuit Court on July 14, 2025 for a variety of charges ranging from theft to assault to the ever-present drug pandemic that plagues the region. While SCN cannot determine the validity of a charge, a disposition in such a case can mean that the court has rendered a final decision on the case, and, therefore, the case can be closed. The cases on the docket pertaining to the drug pandemic, included at least one case involving Fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance that is similar to morphine but about 100 times more potent. A 2023 statement from the Knox County Medical Examiner indicated that 81% of the overdose deaths in East Tennessee are related to Fentanyl. The July 14th cases included several dismissals and guilty pleas:
Donnie R Sexton – Driving While License Revoked, Driving While License Revoked, Theft Of Property – >$1,000 To < $2,500 Dismissal/Nolle Prosequi, Judge Zachary R. Walden.
Rodney Myers – Schedule Ii Drugs: Fentanyl – .5 Grams Or Greater, Poss Unlawful Drug Para.(Felony), 06/06/2025, Guilty Plea-As Charged, Judge Zachary R. Walden.
Oscar Dewayne Martin- Evading Arrest Risk Of Death Or Injury – Vehicle Involved, 03/10/2025, Guilty Plea-As Charged, Judge Zachary R. Walden.
Stephen Clarence Coil Jr – Theft Of Property – $2,500 To < $10,000, Domestic Assault, 03/28/2025, Guilty Plea-As Charged, Judge Zachary R. Walden.
James Britt Stewart Iii – Evading Arrest (Risk Of Death) – Attempt, Reckless Endangerment – Vehicle / Felony, 06/24/2025, Guilty Plea-As Charged, Judge Zachary R. Walden.
Terry Buddy Crowder Ii – Aggravated Assault – Strangulation, False Imprisonment, Resist Stop, Arrest, Search (No Weap), Vandalism – $10,000-$60,000, Vandalism (Up To $1,000), Vandalism (Up To $1,000), Interference With Emergency Calls, Joyriding – Unauth Use Auto/Other Vehicles, Assault On Law Enforcement Officer, 06/22/2025, Guilty Plea-As Charged, Judge Zachary R. Walden.
Joseph Lee Hicks – Meth – 300 Grams Or More – Att, Poss Unlaw Drug Paraphernalia Uses & Activities, Evading Arrest Risk Of Death Or Injury – Vehicle Involved, Driving While License Suspended, Resist Stop, Arrest, Search (No Weap), 04/28/2024, Guilty Plea-As Charged, Judge Zachary R. Walden.
Joseph Lee Hicks – Meth – 300 Grams Or More – Att, Poss Unlawful Drug Para.(Felony), Poss Unlawful Drug Para. (Felony), 09/12/2023, Failure To Appear, 12/20/2023, Case Rescheduled, Judge Zachary R. Walden.
Kristel Rena Bertram – Meth – Mfg, Deliver, Sell, Poss With Intent, 06/06/2025, Guilty Plea-As Charged, Judge Zachary R. Walden.
Jeremy Alan Bellmore – Meth – Mfg, Deliver, Sell, Poss With Intent – < 1/2 Gram, 02/06/2025, Guilty Plea-As Charged, Judge Zachary R. Walden.
Christopher Terrell Aikens – Aggravated Assault – Strangulation, Domestic Assault, 06/12/2025, Guilty Plea-As Charged, Judge Zachary R. Walden.
