Briefly

Indictment says Tennessee deputy guarded an undercover drug deal

Federal prosecutors in West Tennessee said a former sheriff’s deputy is facing charges that he provided security during a cocaine deal.

The U.S. attorney’s office in Memphis said Wednesday that former Crockett County Deputy Calvin Fields has been indicted on charges of distributing powder cocaine and possession of a firearm during commission of drugtrafficking.

Prosecutors said Fields was seen stationed in his patrol vehicle while on duty, providing security while cocaine was being delivered by an undercover source on Feb. 13. Prosecutors said he had a Glock .40-caliber pistol in his possession.

Fields was arrested Friday. His lawyer, federal public defender Bruce Griffey, said Fields will decide how to proceed once he learns the details of the accusations. A court hearing is set for Thursday.

Carr won’t rule out bid for Tennessee governor

NASHVILLE - Former state Rep. Joe Carr, who lost Republican primary challenges for congressional seats in the last two election cycles, is mulling a bid for governor next year.

Carr told The Tennessean that while he currently has no plans to run to succeed term-limited Gov. Bill Haslam, he’s been reaching out to potential supporters to gauge interest in his entering the race.

The Murfreesboro Republican said he could only see himself running if he perceives a groundswell of grassroots support for his candidacy.

Carr ran against U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander in the Republican primary in 2014 and surprised many observers by only falling short by 9 percentage points. He failed to capture much enthusiasm for his 2016 challenge of U.S. Rep. Diane Black, losing by 32 percentage points.

— Associated Press