November 7, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
Acting on a tip that large amounts of methamphetamine were being shipped to this area, agents of the TBI and members of the 13th Judicial District Drug Task Force including the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department made a huge drug bust Monday night at the marina of Edgar Evins State Park.
More than 17 pounds of methamphetamine were seized and four people arrested including 30 year old Jacob Matthew Douglas of Gainesboro, 38 year old Gary Hoyt JR Copley of Cookeville, 30 year old Taylor Ross Mayberry of Baxter, and 37 year old Tiffany Dawn Baker of Cookeville. Neither of these defendants were connected in any way with the marina. The owners and management of the marina were not involved and unaware of the illegal activity there.
All are charged with sale and delivery of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) while Douglas and Baker are also charged with armed dangerous felony for being in possession of a firearm while committing a felony.. Bond for Mayberry and Copley is $150,000 each while Douglas and Baker are each under a $160,000 bond.
All except Baker made their first General Sessions Court appearance by video arraignment from the jail today (Thursday) where they are incarcerated. Attorneys were appointed to represent them. Their cases will be back on the court docket November 21. Baker, who has been released on bond, did not make a court appearance today. She is to be in court for the first time in this case November 21.
According to the arrest warrants, “On November 4th, Agents with the TBI and 13th Drug Task Force conducted an ongoing drug investigation at Edgar Evins Marina. During this investigation, agents involved were alerted of a large shipment of methamphetamine arriving from Georgia to the Upper Cumberland area. During this investigation, agents involved discovered approximately eight kilograms (more than 17 pounds) of methamphetamine, packaging material, digital scales, a large sum of money, and numerous firearms with the intent to go armed”.