ROGERSVILLE — A Hawkins County father, mother and son are facing drug charges after detectives arrived at their residence Thursday and allegedly found marijuana plants growing in a garden in front of the home.
The Dalton family at 494 Mooresburg Springs Road was already under investigation by the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office for allegedly selling marijuana from their residence when detectives visited Thursday afternoon.
As detectives were approaching the home, they allegedly found Sherry Anne Dalton, 46, tending a flower garden in front of the residence where two fully matured marijuana plants were growing in plain view.
Deputies then spoke to the father, Randall Carl Dalton Jr., 46, and son Eric Randal Dalton, 22, both of whom were cooperative and allegedly admitted there were controlled substances inside the residence.
The Daltons also reportedly consented to a search of the residence.
Deputies allegedly seized an ounce of marijuana packaged for resale and several items of drug paraphernalia.
“Further investigation revealed that the family had frequently been selling marijuana from the home,” Sheriff Ronnie Lawson said.
“A prescription bottle containing an unspecified amount of Suboxone was recovered and was determined to belong to Eric Dalton. Further investigation confirmed that Eric Dalton had been distributing the Suboxone pills to his mother and father which is Randall and Sherry Dalton,” Lawson said.
Lawson added, “Several empty prescription Oxycodone bottles were also recovered from the home. Further investigation revealed that Mr. Randall Dalton and Mrs. Sherry Dalton had also been selling the Oxycodone pills from the home.” Detectives also allegedly recovered nearly $1,500 cash from the home that is believed to be proceeds from illegal drug sales, Lawson added.
The drugs and cash were seized by narcotics officers.
The marijuana plants were pulled up and confiscated.
On the average, a single marijuana plant can produce up to a pound of harvested and dried marijuana that has an average street value of $1,000 to $1,200.
All controlled substances have been sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab for analysis.
All three were charged with manufacturing marijuana, maintaining a dwelling where narcotics are housed or sold, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Eric Dalton was additionally charged with possession of Schedule III narcotics with intent to deliver.
All three were released on $10,000 bond and are scheduled for arraignment Aug. 27.
The Department of Children’s Service was contacted due to another juvenile residing inside the home.