TENNESSEE — A stolen property investigation in Monroe County has led to a separate drug investigation and the recovery of illegal narcotics, according to authorities.
Sheriff Tommy Jones of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said the case began with a reported theft that occurred around 5 a.m. on Dec. 19, 2025, on White Plains Road in Vonore. The victim reported seeing two known male suspects leaving his property in a GMC pickup truck with stolen items.
The stolen property included a 20-ton wood splitter valued at approximately $1,000, a chainsaw with a 16-inch bar valued at about $250, and a chainsaw with a 20-inch bar valued at approximately $500.
Later in the week, investigators recovered the stolen chainsaws at two separate locations in Tellico. Authorities said the suspects used a third party to sell the stolen wood splitter, which was later recovered in Madisonville.
While the stolen property investigation was ongoing, deputies were also investigating citizen complaints about suspected drug activity on J.D. Farms Road in Tellico. As a result of that investigation, deputies recovered more than 30 grams of methamphetamine along with additional contraband.
Sheriff Jones said investigators determined that the individual arrested in the drug case was a third party who assisted the original theft suspects by attempting to find a buyer for the stolen wood splitter.
Both investigations remain ongoing, according to the sheriff’s office.
