Arrests leads to meth bust valued at $1.1 million
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office made four drug arrests in an operation last week.
Sheriff's Aggressive Criminal Enforcement (ACE) Unit Sergeant Jacob Winters, Deputy Blaine Mercer, Deputy Hunter Griffin and ACE Unit Investigator Cory Belue responded Tuesday, July 16 to an area in Pierce County, Georgia.
After further investigation over a seven-day period, four individuals were arrested and charged.
They include:
• McCarthur Camp Kelly, 39, arrested Friday, July 19 and charged with trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs, marijuana or methamphetamine ecstasy, attempt or conspiracy to violate Georgia Controlled Substance Act, purchase, possession, manufacturing, distribution or sale of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute (street value of contraband was $1.1 million).
• Lecharles Strange, 35, arrested July 19 and charged with trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs, marijuana or methamphetamine ecstasy, attempt or conspiracy to violate Georgia Controlled Substance Act, purchase, possession, manufacturing, distribution or sale of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute (street value of contraband was $1.1 million).
• Jarissa Aryanna Kitchens, 22, arrested Tuesday, July 23 and charged with purchase, possession, manufacturing, distribution or sale of marijuana with intent to distribute, attempt or conspiracy to violate Georgia Controlled Substance Act, purchase, possession, manufacturing, distribution or sale of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute (street value of contraband was $1.1 million).
• Darryl Lynn James, 33, arrested July 23 and charged with purchase, possession, manufacturing, distribution or sale of marijuana with intent to distribute, attempt or conspiracy to violate Georgia Controlled Substance Act, purchase, possession, manufacturing, distribution or sale of marijuana and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute (street value of contraband was $1.1 million).
Several other drug arrests were made during the week, including:
• Adam Joseph Urban, 38, and Nickie Marie Griffin, 42, were each arrested Monday, July 22.
ACE Unit Investigator Greg Nettles, Investigator Wayne Mercer, Deputy Blaine Mercer, Deputy Hunter Griffin and K-9 Sergeant Michael James responded to an area in Pierce County resulting in the arrests of Urban and Griffin.
Urban was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession and use of drug related objects and served a probation violation warrant.
Griffin was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession and use of drug related objects.
• Cristina Francisco Andres, 28, was arrested Wednesday, July 24 and charged with cruelty to children (second degree) and public drunkenness.
Deputy Blaine Mercer and Deputy Hunter Griffin responded to a residence in Pierce County resulting in the arrest of Andres.
• Christina Rene Thompson, 39, was arrested Wednesday, July 24 and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and drugs not kept in original container Sheriff’s K-9 Sergeant Michael James responded to an area in Pierce County resulting in the arrest of Thompson.
• Derin Franklin Rowell, 56, was arrested Friday, July 26 and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession and use of drug related objects.
ACE Unit Investigator Greg Nettles, Sergeant Jacob Winters, Investigator Wayne Mercer, Sergeant Brad Justice and Deputy Bryce Edwards responded to a residence in Pierce County resulting in the arrest of Rowell.
Sheriff Ramsey Bennett encourages anyone with information on any illegal drug and/or criminal activity to contact the A.C.E. Unit at 912 807-2677, TIP Line at 912-807-8477, or download the free Pierce County Sheriff's app and send an anonymous tip.
