Neighbors on Caledonia Street in Paris saw a quiet home turn into a crime scene on Thursday, Feb. 5, after narcotics agents serving a search warrant reported finding a substantial stash of methamphetamine and arresting three people. The 24th Judicial District Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, working with deputies from the Henry County Sheriff's Office, said two of those arrested were additionally charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect after investigators alleged methamphetamine was found where children were present.
According to a Facebook post from the Henry County Sheriff's Office, the arrestees were identified as Gary Olive, Elizabeth Gualtieri, and Steven Baker. The post states that each faces charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, deliver, or sell in a drug‑free zone, and that agents also seized drug paraphernalia during the search.
Arrests, charges and bonds
In that same post, the Henry County Sheriff's Office said agents seized "approximately one-quarter (1/4) pound of methamphetamine packaged for re-sale" and credited K‑9 Lisa with assisting in the operation. Bond was set at $1,000,000 each for Gualtieri and Baker and $100,000 for Olive, according to the sheriff's office.
Task force partners and K-9 support
The 24th Judicial District Drug & Violent Crime Task Force commonly coordinates multi‑agency drug investigations and search warrants with local departments, and the Henry County Sheriff's Office lists a Metro Crime Unit and K‑9 resources among its enforcement tools, per the Henry County Sheriff's Office website. The sheriff's office website outlines those units' roles in narcotics enforcement and community safety.
Recent enforcement in the county
Henry County has seen several large narcotics operations in recent years. A September 2024 probe into fentanyl trafficking led to arrests and multi‑million‑dollar bonds, according to Radio NWTN. In June 2024, agents seized methamphetamine and weapons near Rhea Elementary School during another search, WBBJ reported.
Legal implications
Possessing meth with the intent to sell or deliver is a felony under Tennessee law, and offenses that occur in a drug‑free zone carry enhanced penalties under Tennessee's Drug‑Free School Zone provisions. Aggravated child abuse and aggravated child neglect are governed by Tenn. Code Ann. § 39‑15‑402 and can be charged as Class B or, in certain circumstances, Class A felonies with significant prison terms and fines; see the Tennessee General Assembly and Justia for court rulings referencing Tenn. Code Ann. § 39‑15‑402.
Investigations into the Feb. 5 search are ongoing, and it was not immediately clear whether indictments have been filed. The sheriff's office asked anyone with information to contact its investigation division via the Henry County Sheriff's Office website.
