In nearby Wilson County, a convicted drug dealer has been sentenced to 60 years for selling cocaine after for the 8th felony charge.

James K. Woods, 35, of Lebanon, was sentenced on three charges of selling Schedule II narcotics (cocaine), two of those charges resulted in consecutive 20-year sentences with one concurrent 20-year sentence, he will serve up to 40 years in the penitentiary.

Reports indicate the Lebanon man has a history of felony drug charges dating back to 1999 when he turned 18 years old.

Woods had previously served five years in the penitentiary for drug sales just prior to Wilson County narcotics detectives making controlled buys of over ½ gram of cocaine on three separate occasions before he was arrested on an indictment Jan. 7, 2015.

Wilson County Sheriff Robert Bryan said, "This is the epitome of arrogance in the drug business." "He apparently has not yet learned we will not tolerate selling drugs in this county without severe consequences," according to Sheriff Bryan.

Sheriff Bryan and his detectives agreed that drug-related offenses and addictions lead to most of the crime in Wilson County even if in an indirect way. "This is a black eye in this country and a menace to our society," Sheriff Bryan said, noting the seriousness of drug use and sales. "If you sell drugs in Wilson County, we will find you and make sure you pay the price."

Last year, the Tennessee Department of Health determined drug overdoses in the state had surpassed the number of people killed by motor vehicle accidents and even firearms discharges in 2014. The number of drug overdoses of both street and prescription drugs have been escalating statewide for several years.