STAFF REPORT :::
The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 20 people in connection with an investigation specifically targeting individuals allegedly distributing methamphetamine and opiates in Griffin and Spalding County. In addition to the 20 arrested, ten more suspects are wanted and being sought in connection to this investigation.
The investigation was initiated in December, and as it progressed, agents found that many of those being targeted had been recently released from prison, were already on parole or probation or had been released on a current bond on pending narcotics related charges.
The operation culminated Dec. 20, with agents of the SCSO Special Operations and C.A.G.E. and Fugitive Apprehension units, S.W.A.T., Uniform Patrol and Criminal Investigations divisions; Georgia Department of Community Supervision, Food and Drug Administration and the United States Marshal Service executing search and arrest warrants across the county.
The SCSO S.W.A.T. Team executed two search warrants, with the first at 413 N. 9th St.
Officials say investigators there discovered a quantity of prescription medication resulting in the arrest of Michael Cole on charges of sale of Oxycodone, possession of Oxycodone with intent to distribute and possession of Oxycodone.
The second S.W.A.T. Team warrant was executed at 115 Huston St.
“The S.W.A.T. Team was faced with an individual who had set up his narcotic distribution operation on a dead-end street. He had dogs that would immediately alert him to anyone’s presence and had a surveillance system including cameras that surrounded his residence. The cameras included views of the street that would allow him to see all vehicles that entered Huston St. as they turned off North Hill St. His efforts proved to be worthless as the warrant was executed,” said Sheriff Darrell Dix.
As a result, Richard Tyrone Barrett was located while allegedly attempting to conceal 298 Carisoprodol pills, 58 Hydrocodone pills, 268 Oxycodone pills and 120 Alprazolam pills that he was reportedly selling illegally. Barrett has been charged with possession of Oxycodone, possession of Oxycodone with the intent to distribute, possession of alprazolam, possession of alprazolam with the intent to distribute, possession of carisoprodol, possession of carisoprodol with the intent to distribute, possession of hydrocodone and possession of hydrocodone with the intent to distribute.
The same day, a third search warrant was executed at 106 Whitney Lane, with the cooperation of Butts County Sheriff Gary Long and BCSO personnel, resulting in the arrest of Cameron Reid, who was allegedly found to be in possession of methamphetamine and more than a dozen firearms.
Reid is currently being held in the Butts County Jail facing charges of burglary. When Reid has completed the judicial process in Butts County, he will be transported to Spalding County where he has been charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, multiple counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and multiple counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Additional arrests that resulted from this investigation include:
Randy Ray Brown, age 40, who has been charged with violation of probation, six counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, sale of Schedule II narcotics, multiple counts of possession of scheduled narcotics, fleeing and attempting to elude, theft by receiving stolen vehicle and illegal use of telecommunication facility;
Jennifer Villiers, age 40, who has been charged with possession of methamphetamine and violation of probation;
Dorothy Mazza, who has been charged with violation of probation: false name and date of birth (Henry County);
Eric Rogers, age 52, who has been charged with violation of probation;
Jacob Odom, age 21, who has been charged with use of a telecommunication facility to procure methamphetamine and suboxone, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime;
Jason Tarleton, age 25, who has been charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug related objects, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and violation of probation;
Joni Finch, age 37, who has been charged with conspiracy to possess methamphetamine and use of a telecommunication facility to procure methamphetamine;
Cristi Silver, age 45, who has been charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug related objects;
April Westbrook, who has been charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug related objects;
Keith Freeman, who has been charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime;
Wendy Camp, age 36, who has been charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug related objects;
Betty Wallace, who has been charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug related objects;
Joseph Archer, age 44, who has been charged with possession of methamphetamine;
Joshua O’Neal, age 40, who has been charged with violation of probation;
Darnell King, age 37, who has been charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and violation of parole;
Allison Aubrey, age 26, who has been charged with violation of probation; and
William Darrell Feltman, who has been charged with violation of probation.
The following individuals have outstanding warrants for their arrest and are currently being sought:
Jodi Davenport, who is wanted on charges of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine and unlawful use of a telecommunications facility to procure methamphetamine;
James Bunn, who is wanted on charges of unlawful use of a telecommunications facility to procure methamphetamine and violation of probation;
James Robert Carter, who is wanted for unlawful use of a telecommunications facility to procure methamphetamine;
Ben Glass, who is wanted for violation of probation;
Ross Tillman Pruitt, who is wanted for conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and unlawful use of a telecommunications facility to traffic methamphetamine;
Andrew Compton, who is wanted for possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and sale of marijuana;
Travis Fowler, who is wanted for conspiracy to possess methamphetamine and unlawful use of a telecommunications facility to procure methamphetamine;
Clinton Edwards, who is wanted for conspiracy to possess methamphetamine and unlawful use of a communications facility to procure methamphetamine;
Brittney Mann, who is wanted for unlawful use of a telecommunications facility and conspiracy to purchase a Schedule II narcotic; and
Christy Coleman, who is wanted for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug related objects.
“Most of these individuals are previous offenders who have been given second chances and are already on probation or parole for their previous crimes. There were also individuals that had already been taken into custody that have now been notified of their new charges. This operation comes as we wrap up 2019 and is another sign of the hard work by the men and women of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office,” Dix said. “This year we have seen a decrease in crime across the county, an increase in partnerships and communication between the community and law enforcement, coupled with transparency and trust. We will continue this in 2020 as we all work together to make Spalding County safer. Thank you for all you do and thank you for supporting the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office.”
