Jefferson County Fugitive Arrested For Stabbing Death In Whitesburg

Drugs seized in connection with seat belt stop.
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

On February 2, 2015, Officers Sam Cameron and Ethan Shults stopped a blue 350ZX Nissan at the 417 travel center off of Highway 92. The car was driven by Jesse Cole Marriman, 22, of Whitesburg, TN, and Heather Marie Smith, 26, of Morristown, TN. When officers Shults and Cameron questioned the couple, they received consent to search the vehicle. The search revealed what appeared to be 15.2 grams of methamphetamine and a BB gun, though Marriman explained that the bags in the car actually contained rock salt that he sold as meth. In addition to the bags of rock salt, marijuana residue was found in various places throughout the car, as well as in marijuana pipes. Smith gave consent to a search of her purse, where a small bag of marijuana and additional drug paraphernalia were found, as well as methamphetamine. Marriman is being charged with felony possession of drug paraphernalia and selling and delivery of a counterfeit controlled substance. Smith is being charged with possession of schedule 2 meth. The 350ZX Nissan has been seized.

Marriman was released on bond from Jefferson County and did not appear for court.  On February 12, 2014 Marriman was arrested in Whitesburg for the stabbing death of a man at his mother’s house.  Bond was set for $250,000.

SEAT BELT STOP TURNS UP METH

On February 10, 2015, officer Shane Hanshew stopped a black Hyundai in New Market for a seat belt violation. The car was occupied by Timothy Brogen and Larry Johnson. Officer Hanshew received consent to search the car, and Sergeant Chris Fair arrived on scene to assist with Brogen while Johnson was questioned and ticketed. Sergeant Fair discovered that Brogen, the driver, was attempting to hide a crack pipe, and officer Hanshew proceeded to do a pat down search, discovering a tin containing a homemade pipe and empty gram bag, as well as two 1 gram bags of methamphetamine that were packaged for resale. Brogen is being charged with possession of schedule 2 drugs with intent to distribute and felony possession of drug paraphernalia. The black Hyundai has been seized, and general sessions court for the case has been set for February 12, 2015.