ROGERSVILLE - More illegal drugs are off the streets thanks to three arrests made in the last week by the Hawkins County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit. On September 30, Sergeant Chad Gillenwater conducted a narcotics investigation on Heck Hollow Road in Rogersville when he noticed a white GMC pickup that had been listed as a potential target for the investigation. After conducting a traffic stop, Gillenwater stated the driver, Mr. John Patrick Shipman, 32, of 856 Heck Hollow Road "appeared extremely nervous." Upon questioning, Shipman provided the officer with a prescription bottle labeled by a Florida pharmacy, containing two different brands of Oxycodone pills. In Gillenwater's report, the suspect stated "he had been 'partying' with the pills and had sold, as well as gave away several pills to several different girls."
While Sergeant Gillenwater questioned Shipman, Choya Kay Elizabeth LeAnn Wilder, 22, of 219 South Fork Branch Road, in Rogersville, approached the two men.
Gillenwater said on Tuesday that the two were in the same area, but in separate cars.
"Ms. Wilder voluntarily produced the contents of her pockets, at which time it was noticed that she was attempting to hide the contents of her front shirt pocket," Gillenwater reported.
Wilder later consented for officers to search her pocket and four and a half Xanax pills were found, each 2 milligrams. Wilder said she purchased the pills earlier in the day and did not have a prescription. Both Shipman and Wilder were taken into custody. Shipman's bail was placed at $25,000 and Wilder's at $3,000. Shipman's bail was set higher due to multiple reports of drug issues. Both have been released on bond and will appear in court today.
"We've received numerous complaints on Shipman with trafficking illegal drugs from Florida," Gillenwater said. He also stated that pharmaceuticals brought in from Florida and sold in Hawkins County has been a consistent issue.
Also this week, Gillenwater received a phone call from Kimberly Ruth McGhinnis of 2015 Brown Drive, Lot 20, in Rogersville, in which she  believed she was speaking to someone who could supply her with hydrocodone. The officer made arrangements to meet McGhinnis later that evening using an undercover officer. Once McGhinnis arrrived, she attempted to purchase 3 Lortabs for $15 from the officer and was arrested for attempting to possess schedule III narcotics. While in custody, McGhinnis informed officers of several other tablets in her purse, all without prescriptions. The pills included hydrocodone, percocet and Xanax.  McGhinnis posted $5,000 bail and was released earlier this week, but must return to court on October 8.