Detroit couple arrested in Knox County as part of 313 Initiative, TBI says

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Two people from Detroit are now in custody as part of the 313 Initiative, a project by law enforcement aimed at stemming drug traffic from the Detroit area into East Tennessee.

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Marty Maurice Vaughn and Sara Renee-Monique Horn have been taken into custody for selling fentanyl, methamphetamine and ecstasy.

The investigation into the two suspects reportedly began in March when authorities received information about a house on Jersey Avenue in Knoxville being used for drug activity. Following an investigation, by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the 5th Judicial District Task Force, and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. Vaughn was taken into custody Wednesday after Knox County Sheriff’s Office deputies tried to stop him while driving, sparking a short chase on Middlebrook Pike.

In the court documents, officers said that they spotted Vaughn driving a silver SUV on Middlebrook Pike near Vanosdale in West Knoxville on May 24 just after 6:00 P.M. Police said that Vaughn disregarded their attempts to stop him and began fleeing from police running red lights and reaching speeds up to 90 miles per hour.

When Vaughn approached the intersection of Middlebrook Pike and Third Creek police say that Vaughn struck 7 other vehicles with a total of 13 passengers, with two being children under the age of four. One of the Passengers sought medical care at a local clinic.

Police said that after Vaughn crashed into the cars he began fleeing on foot, officers saw Vaughn throw a white package while running from police down an embankment. When officers recovered the package, it was discovered to be individually packaged baggies of Fentanyl with a total weight of over 18 grams police said.

Officers said that Vaughn eventually gave up and surrendered laying face-down in the middle of Middlebrook Pike.

Wednesday evening, Horn was taken into custody during a search at the home on Jersey Avenue. While there, officers said they found over 100 grams of fentanyl along with methamphetamine, ecstasy, guns, and cash.

Both were charged with one count of possession of schedule I for resale, two counts of possession of schedule II for resale, one count of sale and delivery of schedule II, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, maintaining a dwelling for drug use and one count of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

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