Two arrests made

CLAIRFIELD, Tenn. — A major drug dealer in Claiborne County and neighboring counties is in jail after hundreds of items, including drugs, were seized from his home in Clairfield, Tenn., Thursday evening.

Larkie Mallicoat, 54, along with Josh Gray of Clairfield, appeared for arraignment Friday in front of General Sessions Court Judge Robert Estep.

Mallicoat was arraigned on the charges of possession of a schedule II controlled substance with the intent to sell or deliver, possession of a schedule III controlled substance with the intent to sell or deliver and possession of a schedule IV controlled substance with the intent to sell or deliver.

Gray was arraigned on the charge of possession of a schedule VI controlled substance with the intent to sell or deliver.

The arrests were made Thursday evening after law enforcement officials raided Mallicoat’s home in Clairfield. According to Sheriff David Ray, a search warrant was served as the result of previous drug buys made at the residence by undercover law enforcement.

Approximately 200 pills, including Xanax, Valium and Methadone, were confiscated, as well as almost $1,500 in cash.

Also seized in the raid were items such as a riding lawn mower, a four-wheeler, weedeaters, chain saws and other various tools. At least twelve guns were seized from the home by officials.

Two truckloads of items were taken from the Mallicoat residence to the sheriff’s office as evidence, Ray said.

“Mr. Mallicoat admitted that he took these items in on trade for drugs,” he said.

According to Ray, officials will check to see if the items have been reported stolen; if so, they will be returned to the owners. Any remaining items will be sold at auction if Mallicoat is found guilty, with the money going into the county’s drug fund.

While at the Clairfield residence carrying out the raid, officials were also kept busy investigating other vehicles in the area that were suspected of coming to Mallicoat’s house for drugs.

“It was a very, very busy place,” said Lt. John Collins, detective with the criminal investigations division of the sheriff’s department. “We had probably 20 to 30 cars drive up on us during the raid.”

Ray said Mallicoat’s arrest will put a “significant dent” in the drug trade in Claiborne and neighboring counties.

“This is significant for the community and the county,” said Ray. “And we are continuing our investigation.”

At their arraignment on Friday, Judge Estep ordered that Mallicoat and Gray be held in the Claiborne County Jail under a $100,000 secured bail.

The charges were the result of a joint investigation between the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office, the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office and the Eighth Judicial District Drug Task Force.

Marisa Anders is Managing Editor for the Daily News. She can be reached via e-mail at manders@middlesborodailynews.com.