On September 17, 2025, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kevin Otey following the execution of a search warrant at his residence located at 781 Cardinal Street, Cookeville, TN. Otey is a confirmed member of the “Traveling Vice Lords” gang and has multiple prior felony convictions.

At approximately 7:45 am, following months of investigation by PCSO, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Task Force (HIDTA), and with assistance from the Algood Police Department, members of the Putnam County SWAT team assembled to execute the search warrant. At approximately 8:40 am, Sgt. Josh Hull observed Otey driving on Cardinal Street and conducted a traffic stop. At the same time, PCSO’s SWAT team entered Otey’s residence.

PCSO Narcotics Investigators, along with Agents of TBI HIDTA, searched the residence and discovered illegal narcotics, including Cocaine and 126 grams of Marijuana, as well as two firearms, including a 12 Gauge Shotgun and a 9mm Pistol with additional ammunition. Investigators also seized $3,869 in U.S. Currency and other various drug paraphernalia.

Kevin Otey was arrested and charged with 2 counts of Manufacture, Delivery, Sale of a Controlled Substance and 2 counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. Otey has a bond set at $850,000 and a court date of October 27, 2025.