Agents of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit began a joint undercover operation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives in the investigation of the Roger Dale Crane organization in July of 2010. Agents had identified Crane as a primary source for crystal methamphetamine and a high level fence, who was trading crystal methamphetamine for stolen property, particularly firearms. Crane was also using money obtained from the sale of stolen property to fund his supply of crystal methamphetamine to sell at the street level. From July through December, 2010, Narcotics Agents along with ATF Special Agents utilized multiple undercover sources to purchase a large number of stolen guns and crystal methamphetamine from Roger Dale Crane and others within his organization.

Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver stated that the vast majority of these cases are expected to be prosecuted at the federal level, and 41 state arrest warrants have been issued for persons known to be associated with Roger Dale Crane. Other federal indictments are expected in the near future. This has been an extensive investigation that was initiated to relieve the citizens of the burglaries and other drug related crimes that have plagued the Cedar Bluff and Gaylesville areas for quite some time.

Shaver stated the execution of the warrants for members of Cranes’s organization is ongoing. Those who have been arrested thus far include; 55 year old Roger Dale Crane of Cedar Bluff on 11 counts of methamphetamine distribution, 1 count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count of second degree receiving stolen property, 1 count of third degree receiving stolen property, 2 counts of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. 23 year old Timothy Alan Hall Jr. of Cedar Bluff on 2 counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count of sale of imitation drugs. 46 year old Jerry Ladon Rickett of Cedar Bluff – 1 count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine 21 year old Christopher Ladon Rickett of Cedar Bluff on 1 count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine 57 year old Martha Coleman Early of Cedar Bluff on 3 counts of methamphetamine distribution, 1 count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. 38 year old Nathan Christopher Jackson of Cedar Bluff on 2 counts of possession of a short barrel shotgun, 1 count of manufacturing methamphetamine, 3 counts of methamphetamine distribution. 38 year old Kenneth E. Mole of Boaz on 1 count of possession of precursor chemicals