Partnership of HPD and FBI results in large drug bust

The FBI has now partnered with the Hohenwald Police Department to aid in investigations, especially those that involve narcotics in the city of Hohenwald as well as in the county.

"This all started because we had several overdoses in our community and [surrounding counties]," said Chief of Police Kip Kelsey.

The FBI had been investigating the overdoses along with the TBI and HPD before they met with Chief Kelsey and Assistant Chief of Police Kevin Carroll. Together they decided to form a partnership in which the HPD loaned K-9 and Drug Officer Clay Colley to the FBI to assist in their investigations as an FBI Task Force Officer.

"The FBI has been a tremendous asset to us," said Chief Kelsey, "They have allowed us access to resources that we don't [have access to] and they're here any time we need them for any investigation. This has never happened in our community before... And I'm very, very appreciative of them reaching out and lending a helping hand while allowing us to be a part of it."

The partnership has already resulted in the arrest of a local drug dealer and seizure of narcotics.

The investigation started a little over three months ago and involved undercover work and many surveillance hours, according to Chief Kelsey.

Roughly three weeks ago, a Sheriff's Deputy had attempted to make a stop and the suspect fled and nearly hit the deputy, which made the suspect a wanted fugitive, Chief Kelsey said.

On Tuesday, June 1, 2021, Officer Colley noticed the suspect, Mickey "Pete" Murphy, 49, riding in the front passenger seat of a tan Ford Focus at approximately 2:27 p.m. on W. 3rd Avenue. Officer Colley knew the suspect had an active misdemeanor and felony arrest warrants, and pulled the vehicle over. The suspect, exited the vehicle and surrendered, according to the incident report written by Task Force Officer Colley.

"During an interview with the driver, Angela Hensley, she stated Murphy realized law enforcement was following behind their vehicle and he handed her a bag and told her to hide it or he would make sure she was dead," read the report.

HPD confiscated approximately 6.18 grams of suspected methamphetamine, approximately 3.94 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 1.2 grams of methamphetamine (field tested positive), and several blue pills believed to be ecstasy (field tested for MDMA) that Hensley had on her person.

HPD and FBI Officers arrived at the Embassy Inn at approximately 3:08 p.m., where the suspect was known to be staying since May 27, 2021, based on electronic surveillance and intelligence learned from a cooperating witness. The officers made contact with Summer Frazier who had been staying at the Inn with Murphy since May 30, 2021, according to the report.

Frazier stated the suspect had given her a bag containing drugs prior to him leaving the room and told her to hide it while he was gone. The report stated Fraizer had the bag on her person and it contained six yellow papers with methamphetamine residue, 1 clear baggie of approximately .37 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 1 clear baggie of approximately 2.78 grams of suspected methamphetamine, approximately .51 grams of suspected heroin, approximately 1 gram of suspected heroin, approximately 5.37 grams of suspected heroin (field tested positive), five syringes with residue, and one syringe with 30 units of suspected methamphetamine.

All approximate weights are with packaging, all evidence was transported to the FBI Office, and HPD seized $544 from the suspect, the report stated.

The following day at approximately 3:45 a.m. HPD Officers assisted the FBI with a Federal Search Warrant at 244 Marjorie Cove on a camper that belongs to Mickey Murphy Jr. The evidence was seized and transported to the FBI Office according to the report.

"If we can save one young person, that's huge... Our goal here is to clean up the streets as much as we possibly can for the future of our community and the future leaders of this community. At the end of the day, it's about helping people," said Chief Kelsey. "If you are dealing drugs or you are using drugs, I hope you're looking over your shoulder because this is going to continue... We're not going away. Our Sergeants, Patrolmen and School Resource Officers are dedicated to keeping Hohenwald safe."