Chattanooga’s Lipsey Trucking is not a household name, but along with Lipsey Logistics (its sister company), it owns dozens of 18-wheelers and employs 200 people. Owner Joseph Lipsey III was recently arrested on drug-related charges in Colorado.
Lipsey has relinquished his management role and ownership shares of the company after he, his wife and their 19-year-old son were all arrested and accused of furnishing alcohol and drugs to minors at parties.
Lipsey Logistics and Lipsey Trucking have announced that Joseph Lipsey III has been permanently replaced as chief executive officer at both firms.
According to a news report, witnesses apparently told Aspen, Colorado, law enforcement officials that the Lipsey family had hosted several parties at which underage teenagers consumed alcohol.
According to an arrest affidavit, a witness told police that “there was just some open champagne and open vodka so kids were pouring some” at a January party, adding that “the parents were like it’s not that big of a deal.”
Two other witnesses claimed there had been more than one party at which minors consumed alcohol at the Lipsey residence. One person reportedly said, “I’ve been at the Lipseys’ house multiple times before and they’ve gotten out alcohol for everybody.”
Witnesses also said they saw “a pile of white powder” on a plate at a party with straws and dollar bills. One witness said it appeared to have been cocaine and that a Snapchat video of the substance had been made and shared.
Police apparently viewed Snapchat videos in which Mrs. Lipsey had the plate and that the powder had been “arranged in a fashion typical of cocaine consumption with snorted.”
A search of the home resulted in police finding cocaine, marijuana (legal in Colorado) and several prescription drugs.
All three Lipsey family members now face felony charges.
Those in similar circumstances should decline to speak to investigators and talk instead to a criminal defense attorney devoted to protecting rights and freedom.
