Authorities Seize Pounds of Meth, Fentanyl in Arrest of Chattanooga Man

CCSO

Press Release

Dewayne Stillwell, 52 of Chattanooga, TN was arrested on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, by the Polk County, TN Sheriff’s Office. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division began investigating Stillwell at the end of 2025 after receiving information that he was transporting large quantities of methamphetamine from Chattanooga, TN to Cherokee County.

This information remained consistent throughout the investigation and after executing a search warrant resulting in the arrest of Ezekial Seth Curtis and Erika Jenkins on March 2, 2026, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Agents confirmed that Stillwell was transporting pounds of methamphetamine into Cherokee County on a weekly basis.

Due to the drugs originating in Chattanooga, TN, Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Agents contacted the Tennessee Drug Task Force and Polk County Sheriff’s Office to request their assistance with the investigation into and apprehension of Stillwell.

On March 4, 2026, Polk County Sheriff’s Office Agents contact Cherokee County Narcotics Agents and provided information that Stillwell had been located in Ducktown, TN and a search of his vehicle revealed several pounds of methamphetamine, more than an ounce of fentanyl, alprazolam pills, marijuana, two firearms and almost $10,000 in cash.

Stillwell was arrested and is currently confined in the Polk County Detention Center without bond.

The success of this investigation rests on the excellent cooperation and teamwork between our office, Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and The Tennessee Drug Task Force.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.