Law enforcement disrupts major marijuana distribution ring operating in three counties
News February 7, 2018
Steven Pruitt
CLEVELAND, Ga. – Agents with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) and multiple local law enforcement agencies including White County and the Cleveland Police Department disrupted a large marijuana distribution organization operating in White, Habersham and Gwinnett counties last week.
White County authorities learned about the organization through tips from the local community. On Feb. 2, search warrants were executed at Steven Pruitt’s residence at 110 Rolling Ridge Drive in Cleveland where eight pounds of marijuana, 200 grams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) wax and numerous firearms were confiscated.
ARDEO Agents and Norcross Police also executed a search warrant at Evan Johnstone and William Blake Moore’s townhome in Norcross where they found 14 pounds of marijuana, 200 grams of THC wax, 104 .500 mL THC Vape Cartridges, and $42,169 in cash.
Evan Johnstone
Johnstone and Ryan Crispin were arrested with cash and drugs in their possession during traffic stops in White County. An investigation indicated Crispin was coming to White County to purchase marijuana from Pruitt and that Johnstone and Moore supplied Pruitt with marijuana and the THC wax.
Overall, the operation yielded $56,253 in cash and took $546,000 of illegal narcotics off the streets.
Agents believe a large quantity of the marijuana was smuggled into Georgia from states that have legalized marijuana. It also appears Johnstone and Moore were producing their own THC wax, a highly potent THC-concentrated mass that contains extraordinarily high THC levels.
William Crispin
Pruitt, 33, Crispin, 20, and Johnstone, 25, were charged under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute and transported to the White County Detention Center. A RICO warrant has been issued for Moore, but he has not yet been arrested.
Anyone with information about Moore or who would like to report suspicious drug activity can do so via instant message or by calling 706-348-7410.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office News Release
Press Release November 17, 2017
On Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Randy Floyd Evans’ residence at 2351 Old Maddox Rd., Hoschton, Georgia. The search warrant came after a month-long narcotics investigation revealed that Evans was selling various quantities of methamphetamine from his residence. During the search warrant, agents located a quantity of methamphetamine, marijuana and several drug-related objects (i.e. scales, pipes, baggies, etc.) throughout the residence. The following people were present at the residence and were charged with the following:
Randy Floyd Evans, 53, of Hoschton, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana less than one ounce.
David James Stancil, 32, of Winder, possession of methamphetamine, giving false name and date of birth to law enforcement, failure to appear-Jackson County, and failure to appear-Barrow County.
Laura Ann Latimer, 27, of Jefferson, possession of methamphetamine.
Each of these people were transported to the Jackson County Detention Center. This investigation continues.
For additional information about Appalachian RDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity, look for ARDEO@appalachiandtf on twitter or follow on facebook@appalachianrdeo and/or Instagram.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Franklin County, the Cleveland Police Department and the Lavonia Police Departement, along with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
ARDEO Dismantles Drug Trafficking Ring
News August 1, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. – Officers with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) conducted a raid over the weekend that dismantled a major drug trafficking organization operating primarily out of Stephens and Habersham counties but supplying drugs to a much wider section of north Georgia including White County.
White County Sheriff Neal Walden congratulated ARDEO officers which includes officers from White at Monday’s Board of Commissioners meeting.
“The drug task force took a bite out of the drug trade in northeast Georgia over the weekend,” Walden said. “That was about a 6-8 months investigation. They did a good job taking a lot of drugs, guns and money off the street. It didn’t show any stats in White County but trust me, for these dealers here it’s just a hop skip and jump over to Habersham and Stephens counties. That’s where they’re going to get most of it.”
Together with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, Habersham County Sheriff’s Office and Toccoa Police Department, ARDEO agents served 10 search warrants and 25 arrest warrants for members, suppliers and customers of Donna Beard and Amber Null’s drug trafficking organization.
Execution of the search warrants began with a traffic stop of the alleged suppliers, Brandon Davidson and Jody Higgins, prior to their delivery of methamphetamine to Beard and Null.
Over the course of the eight month investigation, ARDEO agents with the cooperation of the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, used all available investigative techniques at its disposal to bring down a drug trafficking network that has plagued Stephens, Habersham, White and surrounding counties.
The search warrants resulted in the seizure of one pound of methamphetamine, numerous firearms and $38,600 in cash.
Acording to an ARDEO press release, the drug trafficking organization has distributed multiple kilograms of methamphetamine in North Georgia.
This particular investigation is an example of the value of interagency cooperation. Because of the strong, existing relationships between the participating agencies, Agents were able to share intelligence and coordinate the dismantling of a complex drug trafficking organization. This investigation developed as a result of intelligence that was gathered after the previous arrests of Luke Norton, Tonya Loundermilk and Melanie Brock. The investigation continues and additional arrests are expected.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Habersham County, Stephens County, and Rabun County, along with the Cleveland Police Department, the Georgia National Guard, Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Four Indicted for Heroin Distribution in North Ga.
News August 25, 2017
GAINESVILLE, Ga. – Michelle Dawn Dorsey, Nigel Alan Waddell, and Tyler Josiah Matthews have been arraigned on federal charges of trafficking in heroin. A fourth defendant, Derrik Omar Frazier, was arraigned on July 20.
Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office Special Agent in Charge Mitchell Posey said, “This indictment absolutely saved lives. We will never know exactly how many lives were saved but we know families whose lives would have otherwise been shattered will enjoy time together today because of this team’s hard work. That makes you bounce out of bed each morning so we can get to work!”
According to U.S. Attorney John Horn, the charges, and other information presented in court: Dorsey, Waddell, Matthews and Frazier allegedly conspired to distribute heroin in North Georgia. Dorsey and Waddell sold quantities of heroin in White and Habersham counties. They obtained the heroin primarily from Frazier. Matthews worked for Dorsey and were responsible for transporting heroin from Frazier’s residence in Stone Mountain to Dorsey’s residence in Demorest.
Two heroin users allegedly overdosed on heroin they obtained from Dorsey, but they were revived after being administered Naloxone by emergency medical personnel in White County in one instance and Habersham County in the other. Naloxone is used to treat narcotic overdoses as it can reverse the effects of an overdose in most cases. Both overdose victims likely would have died, but for the life saving measures taken by medical professionals.
“The indictment brought against these defendants is the result of a two-year, joint federal-state investigation by law enforcement to take down a significant heroin distribution network operating between communities in North Georgia and the Atlanta area,” Horn said. “Heroin and fentanyl are poisoning our communities, and the overdoses and deaths are climbing in truly alarming numbers. Our office, along with state and local law enforcement agencies, are taking a strong stance against those who deal heroin and opiates.”
The overdose victims in this case were transported to medical facilities by friends who were also in possession of heroin. However, those individuals have not been charged with any offense. Georgia’s 911 Medical Amnesty Law protects individuals from arrest, prosecution, and conviction of certain drug offenses if the evidence of their drug crime results from the individuals seeking medical assistance for someone thought to be suffering from a drug overdose.
On July 20, in conjunction with Frazier’s arrest at his residence in Stone Mountain, agents with the ARDEO and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office executed a search warrant. The agents seized one ounce of heroin, one ounce of methamphetamine, one ounce of cocaine, and a cache of firearms.
Each defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove each defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Fallen Tree Leads to Arrest on Drug Charges
News July 8, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. – Adrian Jakab, 19, of Dahlonega probably never thought bad weather and a fallen tree could lead to his arrest on drug charges. But that is what happened Thursday.
Severe weather caused the tree to fall across Gene Nix Road. A White County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was there to prevent an accident. According to the deputy, Jakab was speeding and had to abruptly stop to avoid hitting the deputy’s car. As the deputy approached Jakab’s car, he smelled marijuana.
White County authorities searched Jakab’s car and found three ounces of marijuana individually packaged to sell along with a plastic container of “DAB” or hash oil which is THC extracted from the marijuana buds along with a handgun. The street value of the illegal narcotics is $ 3,330.
White County Sheriff’s Office and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) arrested Jakab. He is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a schedule I narcotic (hash oil) and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
7 Arrested in White County on Drug Charges
News June 8, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — During this past week, the White County Sheriff’s Office, the Cleveland Police Department, and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) aggressively targeted suspected narcotics dealers in White County.
Mitchell Posey, Special Agent in Charge of ARDEO said, this combined effort resulted in the arrest of seven individuals for drug related offenses through aggressive street level enforcement by the uniform divisions.’
Through White County Sheriff’s Office investigations, ARDEO Agents arrested 21-year old Courtney Nelson, 23-year old James Molton, 17-year old Harvey Leahey, 19-year old Quinton Blackwell and 41-year old Susan Sorrows, for possession of methamphetamine and marijuana. Cleveland Police Department arrested 27-year old Barbara Barr and 38-year old Johnnie Hickman also for possession of methamphetamine.
Posey said, the combined street value of the drugs seized have been estimated be over $600 worth of methamphetamine and $600 worth of marijuana.
Those arrested were transported to the White County Detention Center.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County Franklin County the Cleveland Police Department, and the Lavonia Police Department, along with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at www.fetchyournews.com
Alto woman charged with murder after another major drug bust in north Georgia
News February 11, 2018
Ashley Sosbee
CLEVELAND, Ga. – An Alto woman was charged with felony murder and 17 people were arrested Friday when agents with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO), Mt. Airy Police Department and Department of Corrections busted a major heroin trafficking ring operating in north Georgia.
Ashley Sosbee, 25, was charged in connection with the overdose death of Adam Hicks. The five-month investigation into Hicks’ death led to opiod-related search warrants in Habersham and Franklin counties and a total of 17 arrests for violation of the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) statute.
In a press release, Special Agent Mitchell Posey said, “Authorities have worked tirelessly to bring the people responsible for the death of Adam Hicks to justice. This investigation speaks loudly to opioid dealers that law enforcement will not sit idly on the sidelines as the people in our communities die.”
The release also identifies others charged as: 19-year-old Cole Dalton, of Alto, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin; 76-year-old Bud Heaton, of Baldwin, charged with Sale of Controlled Substances Schedule II (Oxycodone) and Possession Schedule II With Intent to Distribute Oxycodone; 48-year-old James Heumaneus, of Cornelia, charged with Sale of Controlled Substances Schedule II (Oxycodone); 49-year-old Janie Rogers, of Carnesville, charged with Sale of Schedule II (Oxycodone), Possession of Marijuana Less Than One Ounce and Possession of Controlled Substance Schedule II (Oxycodone); 40-year-old Karen Shope, of Baldwin, Sale of Controlled Substance Schedule I (Methamphetamine); 47-year-old Tina Smelcer, of Cornelia, Possession of Schedule II Control Substance; 49-year-old Tilynn Ivester, of Baldwin, Possession of Schedule IV Control Substance; 33-year-old Brandi Freeman, of Mt. Airy, Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute and Abandonment of Dangerous Drugs; 35-year-old James Chadrick Harrelson, of Mt. Airy, Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute and Abandonment of Dangerous Drugs; and 44-year-old Jacqueline Galliher, of Mt. Airy, Possession of Controlled Substance Schedule IV and Possession of Schedule II Control Substance.
In addition, Habersham authorities executed arrest warrants for RICO on: Ashley Sosbee, 25, of Alto; Jordan Flanagan, 25, of Alto; Brandon Burton, 25, of Cornelia, Georgia; Dustin Thomas, 22, of Alto; Grant Martin, 21, of Cornelia; Jessica Hancock, 23, of Clarkesville; and Patricia Blacklock, 20, of Gainesville.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Drug Task Force Seizes 3 Marijuana Crops
News July 19, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. – Deputies with the White County Sheriff’s Office and Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) assisted the Governor’s Task Force/Drug Suppression unit Tuesday in conducting an operation that located three separate marijuana crops and confiscated marijuana with a total street value of $18,000.
The Governor’s Task Force has a primary responsibility to eradicate domestic marijuana within the state of Georgia and gather intelligence relating to its manufacture and cultivation.
White County authorities executed a search warrant at Lamar Yawn’s residence at 728 White Oak Trial in Cleveland and found five marijuana plants along with less than an ounce of marijuana inside the residence.
Yawn was charged with manufacturing marijuana and agreed to turn himself in at the White County Detention Center today.
A search warrant was executed at Christopher Richards’ residence at 100 Rattlesnake Hill in Cleveland which produced six marijuana plants, 1.5 lbs. of cultivated marijuana, a handgun and $12,000 cash.
Richards was arrested for manufacturing marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He was transported to the White County Detention Center.
White County authorities also seized five marijuana plants found in the wood line on Town Creek Road and continue to investigate this marijuana grow to determine who is responsible.
For additional information about Appalachian ARDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity look for ARDEO@appalachiandtf on twitter or follow on facebook@appalachianrdeo and/or Instagram or contact your local Sheriff’s Office or Police Department.
4th of July Drug Bust Nets $408,600 in Illegal Drugs at Clarkesville Home
News July 6, 2017
CLARKESVILLE, Ga. – Agents with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO), which consists of Sheriff’s offices in eight north Georgia counties, including White, Dawson and Lumpkin, celebrated the 4th of July by taking more than $400,000 worth of illegal drugs off the street.
Deputies with the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 9-1-1 hangup at 2721 Alec Mountain Road Tuesday. When they arrived, they saw Nicholas Green, 35, at the back door. Green slammed the door shut when he spotted the deputies
Nicholas Green
AREDO agents executed a search warrant and after further investigation, they found 25 marijuana plants just inside the back door along with 23 half gallon mason jars full of marijuana and one half gallon Mason jar full of mushrooms.
The street value of the illegal narcotics is $408,600. Green had supplies used in a marijuana grow operation in a box beside the plants.
Agents also seized $660 in cash and multiple rifles, a 12g shotgun and a .22 cal. handgun.
Green was charged with manufacturing marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a scheduled I narcotic (Mushroom). He was transported to the Habersham County Detention Center.
For additional information about Appalachian RDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity look for ARDEO@appalachiandtf on twitter or follow on facebook@appalachianrdeo and/or Instagram or contact your local Sheriff’s Office or Police Department.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Franklin County, the Cleveland Police Department, and the Lavonia Police Department, along with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Cleveland Man Arrested on Drug Charges
Business April 21, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — Ken Howard, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) reports that a 61-year old Cleveland man was arrested Tuesday on drug charges
White County Sheriff’s Deputies, ARDEO agents and the Georgia Department of Community Supervision conducted a drug investigation at 1734 May White Road in Cleveland and discovered a quantity of suspected methamphetamine, suspected marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. The estimated street value of the drugs is $500.
According to Howard, 61-year old Keith Dupree Fortenberry, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Fortenberry is being held at the White County Detention Center.
ARDEO encourages citizens to report any suspicious drug activity at 706-348- 7410 or contact your local Sheriff’s Office or Police Department.
Heroin Trafficking Organization Busted
News May 5, 2017
DEMOREST, Ga. – Authorities say an 18-month investigation sparked by several heroin overdose incidents in Habersham, White and Banks counties resulted in the arrest of members of a major heroin trafficking organization Tuesday.
The White County Sheriff’s Office, Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office and Georgia Department of Corrections K9 unit executed search warrants at 530 Twin River Orchard Road in Demorest, and 4172 Highway 255 South in Cleveland where they confiscated a large quantity of heroin valued at $7,000. They believe the organization is responsible for trafficking many pounds of heroin valued at nearly $100,000.
Michelle Dawn “Cinnamon” Dorsey, 45, of Demorest, Nigel Alan Waddell, 28, of Cornelia and Tyler Josiah “Big un” Matthews, 28 of Cleveland were arrested and charged with trafficking heroin. All three individuals were transported to the Habersham County Detention Center..
ARDEO encourages citizens to report any suspicious drug activity via Inatant Messenger or at 706-348- 7410 or contact your local Sheriff’s Office or Police Department.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the Sheriff’s Offices: in White, Lumpkin, Towns, Banks, Habersham, Stephens, Rabun and Franklin counties along with the police departments in Cleveland, Lavonia and the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, Department of Public Safety and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Cleveland Residents Arrested in Drug Bust
News February 18, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — Following a two months long investigation, the White County Sheriff’s Office, Cleveland Police Department and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) arrested Cleveland residents Margarita Delagado, 32, and Martin Kyler Ferguson, 21, Friday and charged them with distribution of methamphetamine.
Delgado was arrested by White County deputies early Friday morning as she was leaving a local bar. Deputies found 4 grams of methamphetamine packaged for distribution. The arrest followed a tip from citizens who complained that Delgado was selling methamphetamine from her places of business, a White County bar and restaurant.
ARDEO’s surveillance of Delgado confirmed the citizens’ suspicion. The street value of Delgado’s narcotics is $440.
White County authorities executed a search warrant at Ferguson’s residence, 60 Ash Street, in Cleveland where he was allegedly selling methamphetamine and marijuana. A small quantity of marijuana and methamphetamine was discovered during the search. The street value of Ferguson’s narcotics is $100.
Ferguson faces an additional charge of possession of marijuana.
ARDEO encourages citizens to report any suspicious drug activity at 706-348-7410 or contact your local Sheriff’s Office or Police Department.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White, Lumpkin, Towns, Banks, Habersham, Stephens and Rabun counties.
Cleveland Traffic Stop Leads to Meth Bust
News August 28, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. – The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, Cleveland Police Department, White County Sheriff’s Office and Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office scored a significant drug bust last week.
It started with a traffic stop that led to the arrest of Bobby Joe Mullinax Jr., 39 of Cleveland and the seizure of one pound of methamphetamine and $1,700 in cash.
The following day, ARDEO agents, along with deputies with White County and Lumpkin County executed a search warrant at Keith and Bradley Talley’s residence, 794 Stanley Nix Road in Cleveland, during which they confiscated more than $51,000 in illicit drugs, including 460 grams of meth, 30 Methline pills and a quantity of hydrocodone pills. 
Mullinax is charged with trafficking in methamphetamine. Patrick Keith Talley is charged with trafficking in meth, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of meth with intent to distribute, and possession of Schedule II with intent to distribute.
Bradley Talley is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of meth with intent to distribute, possession of schedule II with intent to distribute.
Patrick Keith Talley was charged with trafficking in meth, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of meth with intent to distribute, and possession of Schedule II with intent to distribute.
The three men were transported to the White County Detention Center.
For additional information about ARDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity look for ARDEO@appalachiandtf on twitter or follow on facebook@appalachianrdeo and/or Instagram or contact your local Sheriff’s Office or Police Department.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Franklin County, the Cleveland Police Department, and the Lavonia Police Department, along with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.