Lisa Marchesoni
Posted: Friday, February 27, 2009 4:07 pm

Murfreesboro businessman James Christopher “Chris” Rowland was indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts of weapons violations.

Rowland of state Route 99 (New Salem Highway) was arrested and charged Friday afternoon with possession of a machine gun and possession of an unregistered firearm.

He was accused of possessing a Rock River Arms .223-caliber machine gun and failing to register it.

Rowland faces a maximum 10-year prison term and a $250,000 fine.

Federal agents raided Rowland’s home and brother-in-law Jeremy Chad Smotherman’s home in September 2007 on Warrior Drive across from Riverdale High School as part of an investigation stemming from a $6 million illegal narcotics operation.

In court documents filed last year, Internal Revenue Service Agent William Desantis accused Rowland and Smotherman of money laundering as “sham owners” of real estate and engaging in large money transactions with defendants indicted in a $6 million narcotics operation.

Rowland and Smotherman were accused of filtering drug money from defendants through houses in Hendersonville, Desantis stated in court documents. Both Rowland and Smotherman worked in real estate in September 2007 when and federal agents searched their homes and offices.

Attorneys for Rowland and Smotherman have said their clients are not involved in money laundering.

Smotherman and business partner Michael Bryan Krabousanos were indicted and charged Friday with money laundering and bank fraud.

Federal authorities said Friday the investigation is ongoing.

In a statement, President Mark Rowland of Prudential Rowland Real Estate stated, “We have received word today that Chris Rowland is to be arrested within hours or days.
While Chris is my brother, and I love him very much, he has no affiliation with Prudential Rowland Real Estate. He is not an employee of this company, and he has no leadership role at all with this company.

“Our family stands by Chris in this difficult time,” Mark Rowland stated. “Right now, our concern is for our excellent employees, hardworking agents, faithful clients and the fine individuals and families who we are privileged to call our customers.

“Prudential Rowland Real Estate continues its full operations as always,” Rowland stated. “This situation in no way affects our strong commitment to our employees, agents, clients and customers.”