Published: 7/27/2022

TWO ATHENS MEN, JIMMY LEE FREE JR, THE OWNER OF AN ATHENS BUSINESS, AND GARY JOSEPH SWEARINGER WERE ARRESTED AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND THE RESULTING INVESTIGATION AND STAKEOUT LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF 36 LIKELY STOLEN CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAID THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM RESIDENTS ABOUT THE BUSINESS L & C CONVERTERS WHICH IS A SECONDARY METAL RECYCLER THAT PURCHASES CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. ON JULY 21, WHILE LIMESTONE COUNTY INVESTIGATORS WATCHED THE PROPERTY FOR HOURS AND SAW SEVERAL PEOPLE EXCHANGE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WITH FREE FOR CASH. OFFICIALS SAID ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS SEEN DELIVERING CONVERTERS WAS IDENTIFIED AS SWEARINGER WHO HAD A WARRANT WITH THE ATHENS POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE LCSO NARCOTICS UNIT FOUND MARIJUANA, METHAMPHETAMINE, PILLS AND FENTANYL ON SWEARINGER. INVESTIGATORS SAID THEY FOUND 36 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS IN PLAIN VIEW AND FREE FAILED TO HAVE THE PROPER DOCUMENTATION FOR ANY OF THEM. BOTH MEN WERE ARRESTED.