Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Three arrested in drug investigation
Three Cocke County men are in custody following a Monday incident which culminated in a foot pursuit. Cocke County Sheriff Armando Fontes said narcotic's officers with his department were working a drug house in the Carson Springs Community after receiving complaints regarding drug activity. They stopped a Honda Accord at Underwood Road on West 25/70, however the three occupants fled on foot and a chase ensued. A short time later, Patrick Scott Hurst, 22, Lower Bogard Road, Newport and Chad Austin McGaha, 20, Keener Hollow Road, Cosby, were taken into custody. However the third suspect identified as Spencer Eugene Grooms, 20, Keener Road, Cosby, fled the area. Cocke County and Newport officers conducted an extensive search of the area and Grooms was located in a wooded area by Lt. Michael Whitmer, however the suspect again fled on foot. Later Grooms was taken into custody by several officers. The sheriff said a small amount of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, alprazolam, and hypodermic needles were in possession of the suspects, along with digital scales. Grooms was wanted for escape from custody after the court ordered him to go to drug rehabilitation. Grooms was transported to rehab by his father and after being dropped off he fled the facility and was criminally charged with escape. He also is charged on previously obtained warrants with; Kidnapping, Aggravated Domestic Assault and Burglary in a March 9 incident involving Brittany Reese at her home on Needmore Road in Bybee. Grooms also faces charges of Evading Arrest, Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia Use and Violation of Community Corrections, Hurst is charged with Driving while license revoked and Unlawful drug paraphernalia McGaha is charged with Possession of Marijuana and Alprazolam, Unlawful drug paraphernalia and Resisting, stop, halt, frisk.


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