Operation Seller Beware Nets 10 Arrests

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office culminated a months-long investigation, “Operation Seller Beware” last Friday which resulted in the arrest of 10 individuals on 17 separate drug charges.

Sheriff Donnie Pope said the operation focused on combatting the sale of narcotics throughout Jasper County. As the investigation progressed, multiple juveniles were identified as suspects, said the sheriff. As more intelligence was gathered, it revealed these juvenile suspects were selling narcotics both on and off the campus of the Jasper County High School.

“Once it became clear who was involved in the ring of juvenile drug dealers, the decision was made to begin the execution of arrest warrants obtained through the operation with a detailed search of school grounds,” the sheriff said.

Sheriff Pope said he thought it would send a loud and clear message if in conjunction with serving the warrants, that the school grounds were searched by canines and their handlers along with other law enforcement officials.

Sheriff Pope met with high school administrators and arrangements were made to lock down the high school shortly after school began. At approximately 8:45 a.m., seven drug-detecting K-9s, and 15 officers arrived at the school.

Arrest warrants were in hand for three of the juvenile suspects involved in Operation Seller Beware. Two of those suspects, both juveniles, were taken into custody at the school. The third was absent from school that day and was picked up from his home a short time later.

Thomas Line, 17 (considered an adult by law enforcement), white male, was arrested that morning for two counts of sale/distribution of marijuana. After being arrested, Mr. Line was discovered to be in possession of three individually packaged baggies of marijuana and was subsequently charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in a school zone.

During the search of the school, another student, not initially a focus of Operation Seller Beware, was found to be in possession of drugs as well. That student, who was also a juvenile, was in possession of less than one ounce of suspected marijuana. He was also found to be in possession of suspected “lean” with intent to distribute. Charges are still pending, awaiting results from the GBI crime lab.

“Lean” is a soft drink usually mixed with hard candy and prescriptions drugs, often referred to as Dirty Sprite, Sizzurp or Purple Drank. It is usually concocted at home with items commonly found in the household. Typically prescription cough syrup containing codeine is preferred, but over the counter cough syrups may also be used. When consumed the concoction could lead to serious and sometime fatal side effects.

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The Sheriff’s Office hopes that this incident will raise awareness and deter the use of this drink.

While Sheriff Pope had the resources, he also conducted a search at Piedmont Academy. He said that Headmaster Tony Tanner and he had spoken and Mr. Tanner said anytime the resources are available, to sweep that school. No drugs were found at Piedmont, and there were no warrants to be served there.

After the school searches “Operation Seller Beware” continued with deputies serving arrest warrants on additional subjects. In all, 10 people were arrested for sale, distribution and/or possession with intent to distribute drugs in the operation.

Sheriff Pope says that he and his staff will continue to aggressively seek out those in our community that illegally sell narcotics. He wants to send a strong message that the selling of drugs will not be tolerated in Jasper County. The Sheriff would also like to remind citizens about the anonymous Tips Line at the Sheriff’s Office 706-468-JCSO, or 706-468-5276.

The Sheriff also encourages citizens visit the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page to receive up to date news and developments. They can also be found at www.jaspercosheriff.com.

Other suspects charged in Operation Seller Beware included:

•Jacob Lee Holland white male, Monticello—sale of methamphetamine (1 count)

•William Harris Anderson, white male, Jenkinsburg—sale of methamphetamine (2 counts)

•Lamon Ann Clemons, black female, Monticello—sale of schedule III prescription drugs (1 count)

•Alvin Glenn Yates, white male, Monticello—sale of marijuana (1 count).

•Matthew Bryan Jackson, white male, Monticello—sale of methamphetamine (2 counts)

•Rodriguez Deonte McGuire, black male, Monticello—sale of marijuana (1 count)

Two juveniles were charged with two counts each of the sale of marijuana.

Other arrests reported by the JCSO during the period of September 10-17 include the following:

•Charles Fredrick Willis, 51, Monticello—probation violation.

•James Nicholas Bailey, 21, Monticello—possession of marijuana less than one ounce.

•Telly Fedinandro Banks, 38, Lithonia—probation violation.

During this same period deputies with the JCSO responded to 221 calls for service including 88 stopping suspicious person/vehicle, 16 alarm, 11 sex offender check, 10 subject needs officer, eight threatening/harassing calls, seven attempt to serve warrant, six each accident, pick up prisoner and trouble unknown, five livestock on road, and four mechanical breakdown.

Also, three each assist motorist speeding auto, livestock on road, intoxicated pedestrian, four wheeler, juvenile complaint and trespassing, two each dog disturbance, prowler report, domestic, miscellaneous ems, extra patrol, music/noise complaint and argument, one each fight, burglary, intoxicated driver, escort or convoy, fire, theft by taking, mental person, chest pain, overdose, welfare check, child custody, discharge firearms, entering auto, possible suicide, indecent exposure, vandalism of property, checking location, road hazard, abandon vehicle, sick and request DNR.

Also, during the period mentioned above the Monticello Police Department (MPD) reported the following arrests:

•Shirley Wise Benton, 54, Monticello—public drunkenness and obstruction of an officer.

•Thomas Jerrell Griggs, 31, Monticello—theft by taking.

During this same period officers with the MPD responded to 58 calls for service including 18 stopping suspicious person/vehicle, five escort or convoy, three music/noise complaint, two each fight, domestic, direct traffic, subject needs officer, vandalism of property and sex offender check, one each alarm, dog disturbance, assist motorist, speeding auto, intoxicated driver, intoxicated pedestrian, hit and run, mechanical break down, pick up prisoner/subject, fall miscellaneous ems, repossession of vehicle, missing person, extra patrol, welfare check, entering auto, checking location, seizure and argument.