More Charges from November WCSO Drug, Weapons Seizure
A suspect arrested last month for his involvement in an illegal drug trafficking case that included several other individuals in at least three counties has been indicted by the Wilson County Grand Jury for felony possession of Schedule VI drugs with intent to sell, criminal conspiracy and money laundering. On December 21, David Alan (aka Bubba) Hankins, 39, was arrested at his home in Lebanon without incident and is currently being held on a $50,000 bond at the Wilson County Correctional Facility.
His latest arrest and resulting charges came on the heels of a traffic stop on November 18 when he was arrested for driving on a revoked license. White conducting a search of the vehicle Hankins was driving, detectives seized 48 pounds of marijuana and a large quantity of cash. The November arrest occurred in connection with several search warrants executed between February and November in Wilson, DeKalb and Davidson Counties. During that time, WCSO Narcotics Detectives arrested five people in an investigation that netted more than $300,000 in cash, 100 pounds of marijuana, large amounts of cocaine, pharmaceuticals, weapons, vehicles, recreational vehicles, and motorcycles. All are believed to be linked to an organized group of drug dealers in the ongoing investigation.
Sheriff Robert Bryan credited the arrests and confiscation of illegal drugs and other property to WCSO Narcotics Unit’s unyielding perseverance in the joint investigation with Metro Nashville Police Drug and Gang Units and the 15th Judicial Drug Task Force. “We are very proud of everyone involved in this case and resulting arrests,” Sheriff Bryan said. “And we are grateful as always to the concerned citizens whose help in these cases is priceless. It takes the entire community working together to help stop this dangerous and illegal activity.”
The ongoing operation came to head on February 27 while detectives were investigating the illegal distribution of large quantities of marijuana in Lebanon. During a raid at 5130 Linwood Rd in Lebanon, detectives recovered more than two pounds of marijuana and over $10,000 in cash and weapons. As a result, the Wilson County Grand Jury indicted Jeffrey Waylon Craddock, who was living at the residence for charges of violation of his parole and additional charges. Craddock has been and currently is incarcerated at the Wilson County Correctional facility in Lebanon.
While incarcerated at the facility, Craddock continued to actively participate in the distribution of marijuana in Wilson County. Upon further investigation, detectives discovered more evidence connected to Craddock’s arrest. It was determined the arrest was connected with several search warrants served in July 2015 in Wilson and Smith County. One search warrant executed at 4251 South Commerce Rd. in Watertown netted over 30 pounds of marijuana, and more than $20,000.00 in cash and weapons. Gary Neil VonStorch, Jr., who was living at the residence, was arrested on charges stemming from the search and indicted by a Wilson County Grand Jury.
Another search warrant conducted in July 2015 at 320 B Trousdale Ferry Pike Lebanon, uncovered over $1,500.00 cash along with two pounds of marijuana and cocaine. Michael Mondrell Grooms, a resident of the address, was indicted by the Wilson County Grand Jury and arrested on numerous charges as a result.
In a joint effort with the 15th Judicial Drug Task Force, WCSO Narcotics detectives executed a search warrant at 22 McGinnis Lane Brush Creek, where they uncovered more than five pounds of marijuana and over $20,000 in cash. Jason Lee Copeland was indicted by the Wilson County Grand Jury and arrested on charges related to the search of his home.
Narcotics Detectives continued to develop leads and information pertaining to illegal drug trafficking operation. On Nov. 18, 2015, detectives conducted a traffic stop on Sparta Pike at Spring Creek Bridge in Lebanon and arrested Hankins for driving on a revoked Tennessee driver’s license. Upon searching the vehicle Hankins was driving, they recovered more than 48 pounds of marijuana and over $700 in cash. Based on information received through various sources, detectives believe David Hankins had taken over the distribution of marijuana while Jeffrey Craddock was incarcerated.
Upon further investigation after Hankins’ arrest, WCSO Narcotics detectives through a joint effort with Nashville Metro Vice and gang unit developed enough information to conduct a search warrant at 1441 Pleasant Hill Rd, Nashville. Narcotics Detectives believed based on confidential information that this was the location of the supplier of marijuana that was being distributed by the organization. They recovered over $200,000 in cash and weapons during the Nashville address search. Metro Nashville and WCSO Narcotics detectives continue their investigation into the residence along with its occupants. Other searches included 7497 Trousdale Ferry Pike in Lebanon and 36052 Old Nashville Highway in Alexandria, where an undisclosed amount of cash and pharmaceuticals were uncovered. The investigation is continuing in that matter.
Arrests and charges so far include Craddock on charges of possession marijuana, conspiracy to possess marijuana, two counts of money laundering and two counts possession of firearms during the commission of a felony; VonStorch Jr. on charges of possession of marijuana, two counts of conspiracy to possess marijuana, one count money laundering, and two counts of possession of firearms during the commission of a felony; and Copeland and Grooms on drug and money laundering charges.