The investigation is continuing with possibly more charges forthcoming
In April of 2025, Lieutenant Spry with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into several reports of theft made against Southern Smokers LLC. During the investigation Lt. Spry was able to identify the operator of Southern Smokers LLC as Jeffery Allen Briscoe II of Clark County Indiana.
Briscoe was operating his LLC out of a building located at 3400 West Marble Hill Road, just inside Jefferson County Indiana. Lieutenant Spry has had over 15 victims come forward to him at this point. All the victims had similar complaints, they had paid for a smoker or trailer and never received the product after. Also, during the investigation, it was learned Jeffery was also using an alias name “Chris Vanmeter” that he had created to further mislead his victims and try to hide his real name. So far with the current victims that have come forward, the accumulative monetary loss exceeds 80,000 dollars.
On May 8, 2025, Lieutenant Spry and Deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the above location. Deputies located Jeffery hiding inside a trailer located on the back side of the property. Jeffery was taken into custody on an arrest warrant for 10 counts of Theft and 1 count Corrupt Business Influence. Jeffery is being held at the Jefferson County Jail with a bond of $250,000 cash. The investigation is continuing. More charges are possible.
During the initial sweep of the building Deputies located two other employees. Those employees were identified as Jason Gibson-Gobel, 41 of Jeffersonville and Shawn Robert Webster 42, of New Washington. Jason was subsequently arrested for charges of possession of methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony and Assisting a Criminal Class A Misdemeanor. Shawn was also arrested for Assisting Criminal Class A Misdemeanor.
If there is anyone else that has fallen victim to this company, please contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Spry. Email Adress: Linton.Spry@Jeffersoncounty.In.Gov Office Phone # 812-274-3983.
Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.
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