KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — One man has entered a federal plea agreement in connection to a drug trafficking and stolen car investigation that resulted the arrests of 11 people, including two Sevier County deputy clerks.

James Carroll Hickman entered a plea understanding in which he will plead guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectible amount of cocaine. He faces a mandatory minimum sentencing of 5 years in prison house, a mandatory minimum of iv years of supervised release and a fine of up to $v,000,000.

An investigation that began in spring 2020 into a drug trafficking organization suspected of distributing cocaine in Sevier Canton and elsewhere concluded Oct. 7 with 11 arrests and FBI agents raiding the clerk's office at the Sevier Canton Courthouse.

The plea agreement states Hickman worked with others to purchase and distribute the mixture containing cocaine. Hickman was heard on a Dec. 2020 wiretap asking another defendant, Juan Lopez Gallardo, to purchase a quarter ounce of cocaine. Investigators then intercepted a telephone call of Lopez speaking with Jairo David Posadas, who also faces federal charges, to meet with Hickman to deliver the drugs.

After Posadas allegedly met with Hickman, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on Hickman'due south vehicle. Within, law enforcement reported finding "4 grams of cocaine, along with other types of drugs."

Controlled buys past law enforcement ranging from two grams to ane ounce took place betwixt September and December of 2020.

Hickman admitted he had purchased more than 500 grams of cocaine from Lopez in the by 2 years.

Gallardo and ii others named in the federal indictments are likewise alleged to have sold stolen vehicles past obtaining simulated titles and registration documents to register the stolen vehicles with the country of Tennessee using the simulated documents.

Gallardo, Pablo Daniel Suarez and Marco Antonio Cardenas are accused of altering vehicle identification numbers on stolen vehicles to "disguise their stolen nature" and then arranging for the stolen vehicles to be taken from Tennessee and Florida to other states.

Brandy Thornton and Roberta Allen are charged with 2 counts of taking cash payments in substitution for an official act. Both are employed at the Sevier Canton Courthouse and had the authorization to register and title vehicles with the State of Tennessee.

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