Deputies arrest Erwin man on meth-related charges

The Unicoi County Sheriff's Office arrested Brandon Kyle Casey, 499 Hickory Hollow Rd., Erwin, for methamphetamine-related charges on Tuesday, Dec. 27, after responding to the scene to investigate a complaint about poaching deer. According to a press release issued by Sheriff Mike Hensley, deputies responded to the Harris Hollow Road area to investigate a complaint that someone was poaching deer. Upon arrival, deputies observed Casey operating a vehicle in the area described by the complainant. Deputies recognized Casey as an individual who had arrest warrants for failure to appear in court. Deputies arrested Casey for the outstanding warrant. Deputies reported recovering syringes, glass pipe, sniffing straws and a bag containing a crystalline substance identified as methamphetamine. After Casey was transported to the Unicoi County Jail he was asked if he had any contraband hidden on his person. He allegedly told deputies that deputies had recovered all the contraband. During a more extensive search at time of booking, corrections staff located an additional bag of methamphetamine. It is a felony in Tennessee for any person to bring contraband into any penal institution. According to the release, methamphetamine meets the definition of contraband under state law. Casey was charged with failure to appear, possession of schedule II narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia and introduction of drugs into a penal facility. Casey's bond was set at $7,000. He is scheduled to appear in the Unicoi County General Sessions Court on Thursday, Jan. 12, at 9 a.m.