Robertson County, TN Drug Case: 12 Indicted on Federal Charges

Springfield, TN – Twelve Robertson County residents face federal charges following a multi-year investigation into alleged cocaine and crack cocaine distribution and related firearms offenses, federal authorities announced.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee, a federal grand jury returned indictments in August charging the defendants with conspiring to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, along with numerous substantive drug trafficking offenses. One defendant also faces a felon-in-possession firearm charge.

The investigation began around January 2024 and involved the Robertson County Sheriff's Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from other federal agencies.

Authorities conducted a coordinated operation Sept. 3 to execute federal arrest warrants. Six defendants were arrested during the operation, another allegedly fled on foot and five were already in custody on other charges, according to the announcement.

The defendants were identified as Derrick Artell Hurlt, 47; Santoria Antonio Brown, 46; Terrelle Epprise Payne, 53; Michael Christopher Bigbee, 42; Alandis Vontay Darden, 43; Anthony Terrill Swoopes, 56; Tomika Mischelle Woodard, 53; David Lee Brown, 41; Nola Ann Davis, 52; Donald Ray Bugg, 36; Shauntai Deshelle Black, 29; and Taylor Leighann Rose, 29.

Most are from Springfield, while Hurlt is from Greenbrier and Rose is from Springfield, according to authorities.

U.S. Attorney Braden H. Boucek said the investigation targeted alleged cocaine and crack cocaine distribution as well as firearms connected to drug trafficking. Robertson County Sheriff Michael Van Dyke credited cooperation among local, state and federal agencies.

The investigation remains active. An indictment is an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.