Madison County authorities booked a local man Tuesday on multiple charges including felony drug manufacturing, marking one of two arrests processed in the county that day.
Remington Cooper was taken into custody February 25 on charges of drug manufacturing, delivery or sale, unlawful weapon possession, and evading arrest, according to booking records from the Madison County Sheriff's Office.
The most serious charge against Cooper is drug manufacturing, delivery or sale, a Class E felony under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-417. If convicted, he faces between one and six years in prison and fines up to $3,000.
Cooper also faces a Class B misdemeanor charge of unlawful weapon possession, which carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and up to $500 in fines under TCA § 39-17-1307. The evading arrest charge is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and fines reaching $2,500 under TCA § 39-16-603.
Jail records show this is not Cooper's first encounter with Madison County law enforcement. He has two prior bookings in the county's system, indicating a history of criminal activity in the area.
The combination of drug and weapons charges reflects ongoing concerns about narcotics trafficking in West Tennessee. Madison County, home to Jackson and covering nearly 560 square miles, sits along major transportation corridors including Interstate 40 and Highway 45, making it a transit point for drug distribution networks.
Drug manufacturing charges in Tennessee encompass a wide range of activities, from methamphetamine production to the packaging and distribution of controlled substances. The statute covers anyone who knowingly manufactures, delivers, sells, or possesses with intent to manufacture, deliver or sell any controlled substance.
The evading arrest charge suggests Cooper attempted to flee from law enforcement during the incident that led to his arrest. Tennessee law defines evading arrest as knowingly refusing to halt when ordered to stop by a law enforcement officer, whether on foot or in a vehicle.
Weapon possession charges can stem from various circumstances, including carrying firearms while committing other crimes or possessing weapons as a prohibited person. The Class B misdemeanor classification indicates the weapon charge is likely a less severe violation than felony weapon offenses.
Madison County processed just two bookings on Tuesday, making Cooper's arrest one of the more significant law enforcement actions of the day in the county. The relatively low booking volume allowed authorities to focus resources on processing the multiple charges against Cooper.
Cooper's case will now move through the Madison County court system, where prosecutors will determine whether to pursue all charges or negotiate plea agreements. The felony drug charge will require presentation to a grand jury for potential indictment.
Defense attorneys in similar cases often challenge the evidence collection methods, particularly in drug manufacturing cases where search and seizure procedures must comply with Fourth Amendment protections. Weapon possession charges may also face constitutional challenges depending on the circumstances of discovery.
The Madison County District Attorney's Office typically prosecutes drug manufacturing cases aggressively, especially when combined with weapon charges that suggest potential violence or organized criminal activity.
Bond information and court dates were not immediately available in booking records. Cooper's case will be assigned to one of Madison County's criminal court judges for arraignment and preliminary proceedings.