Operation Tiger Punch: 16 Defendants Indicted in Rural West Tennessee Meth Trafficking Conspiracy
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee announced on November 5, 2026, in Ripley, Tennessee, that a joint federal, state, and local investigation known as Operation Tiger Punch has resulted in the indictment of 16 people: 10 defendants were indicted federally and 6 were indicted by a state grand jury, from Lauderdale and Shelby counties, for conspiring to traffic methamphetamine in rural West Tennessee.
As alleged in the federal indictment, between February 2024 and April 2026, law enforcement targeted methamphetamine trafficking in the area, seizing several thousand suspected alprazolam pills sent through the U.S. Mail, approximately 2 pounds of suspected methamphetamine from the Ripley Terrace Apartments in April 2026, a total of 6 firearms, and $23,345 in cash.
The 10 federally indicted defendants are Tony Arnez Singleton-Cook, 26, of Ripley; Alfred Hill, 39, of Memphis; Dezmon Whitelow, 23, of Ripley; Bobby Lester Brown, 64, of Covington; Tristan Buckner, 28, of Ripley; Richard Lee Dale, 49, of Gates; Tyreece Mackey, 51, of Ripley; Robert Steven Mims, 49, of Lauderdale County; Rose Wilson, 62, of Ripley; and Shelia Jean Coker, 57, of Ripley. The indictment alleges that Singleton-Cook obtained and distributed methamphetamine while on state probation for felony narcotics convictions.
The state indictments, returned by the Lauderdale County Grand Jury, charged Ashley Vance, Robert Brewer, George Hoffman, Joy Ammons, Charlie Jones, Sr., and Crystal Pickard with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver or sell under Tennessee law.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said prosecutors would focus on narcotics distribution cases that impact public safety in rural communities and adopt such cases for aggressive federal prosecution. District Attorney General Mark E. Davidson said the seizure of several pounds of methamphetamine, several thousand suspected alprazolam pills, six firearms, and more than $20,000 in cash underscores the scope of the investigation. Lauderdale County Sheriff Brian Kelley said the operation sends a clear message to those who bring dangerous drugs into local communities.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory D. Allen and Raven Icaza are prosecuting the federal case, and Assistant District Attorneys General Julie K. Pillow and Harrison Hight are prosecuting the state cases. More than a dozen agencies took part, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The charges and allegations contained in the indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：美国司法部总部大楼（联邦机构固定图库）。 / Photo: U.S. Department of Justice headquarters (federal agency photo library).
