Four people, including three Volunteer High School students, are facing charges in Hawkins County, accused of trafficking pills at Volunteer High School in Church Hill. After a student overdosed and was rushed to the hospital in March. 19 year old Zachery Blizzard was implicated as the supplier for that student. Blizzard then implicated Benjamin Smith, 18, as his source for the pills. Following an investigation, 20 year old Ricky Lee Smith was then found to be Benjamin Smith's supplier of the pills, said to be clonazepam. According to www.drugs.com, clonazepam is used to control certain types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy and for the treatment of panic disorders. A fourth suspect was also indicted in the case, 18 year old Katie Clendenin. All of the accused were students at Volunteer High School at the time of their arrest, except for Ricky Lee Smith.
Ricky Lee Smith is facing charges of criminal responsibility for conduct of another, and possession of a controlled substance in a Drug Free School Zone. Benjamin Smith and Blizzard both face one count of possession of a controlled substance in a Drug Free School Zone. Because of the student who overdosed, Blizzard also faces one count of reckless endangerment. All 3 face elevated possession charges because of the Drug Free School Zone Act, which elevates their charges to Class C felonies. If found guilty, they face 3 to 6 years of prison, served at 100 percent. The District Attorney's office tells us they will not have release eligibility due to this enhancement of the law. Clendenin was indicted on one count of facilitation of delivery of a controlled substance in a Drug Free School Zone, a class D felony. She faces two to four years in prison if found guilty. All four are set for arraignment on August 31st.
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