A pair of Tullahoma men were busted this past week after lawmen allegedly caught them with drugs inside a school zone in Decherd.

“On April 15, 2025, at approximately 6:00 p.m. Investigator Jody Bray, along with other officers with the Decherd Police Department executed a residential search warrant at the address of 402 South Bratton Street stemming from a six month investigation,” the department revealed. “When officers entered the residence, they observed an active drug transaction in process and two individuals were immediately detained.”

Those individuals were identified as Joseph Walter Stratton and Stephen Todd Farrington Jr. of Tullahoma. Located in their immediate possession during the transaction was 1 Oxycodone pill and approximately 20 grams of Marijuana. A further search of the residence yielded 214 pills to include Oxycodone (Schedule II), Dilaudid (Schedule II), Xanax (Schedule IV), Clonazepam (Schedule IV) and paraphernalia.

A 9mm pistol with 400 rounds of ammunition, a .22 caliber long rifle with approximately 500 rounds of ammunition and $15,500 in cash were also located and seized during the search.

This residence is located across the street from Decherd Elementary School approximately 112 feet from the front parking lot entrance. Both individuals are pending charges including Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Schedule II, IV, and VI, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Convicted Felon), Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia, and Violation of Drug Free School Zone.