Investigation into a convicted sex offender uncovers an elaborate indoor marijuana grow operation

On April 6, 2017, Investigators with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at 1451 Grassy Branch Road, Lawrenceburg, TN. Criminal Investigators began conducting an investigation into a convicted sex offender, Norman Lewis Moore, during the early hours of April 6, 2017.

Investigators obtained information Norman Moore had generated Facebook accounts under aliases which is a violation of the sex offender registry requirements in the State of Tennessee.

Criminal Investigators verified with assistance of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation the validity of the Face Book accounts. Based on this information, a search warrant was obtained for Norman Moore’s residence located at 1451 Grassy Branch Road to search for evidence related to the violations of the sex offender registry.

Narcotics Investigators with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department assisted in the search warrant due to Moore’s past criminal history involving drugs. Upon conducting the search warrant, Investigators were able to seize the phone used by Norman Moore to create the Face Book accounts as well as other means of storing electronic data that may contain violations to the sex offender registry.

A further search of the residence revealed an elaborate indoor marijuana grow operation. Investigators seized sixteen marijuana plants growing in containers along with the equipment used to operate the growing operation. Some of this equipment included indoor grow lights, organic potting soil, organic supplements, and grooming equipment. A large amount of processed marijuana was also seized during the search warrant.

Norman Lewis Moore was placed under arrest for violation of sex offender registry requirements, manufacture of marijuana, possession of marijuana for resale, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Norman Moore is being held at the Lawrence County Detention Center under a $52,000 bond.

Anyone with any information regarding illegal drug activity is encouraged to contact the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department 931-762-3626 or the Criminal Investigation Division 931-762-1608. Tips may also be reported online confidentially by visiting our department’s Facebook page and sending a message.