Murphy – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and other area law enforcement agencies have made a significant dent in drug trafficking and sales.
“The extraordinary diligence of these officers, their exemplary teamwork and relentless pursuit of justice have resulted in the seizure of 4,170 grams of meth, 134 grams of fentanyl, 28 grams of crack/cocaine, 168 pills violating controlled substance law and 31 firearms,” Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith said.
On its Facebook page under the heading, “Unyielding Determination: Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Allies Break Down Barriers in the War on Drugs,” the sheriff’s office reported several examples of actions taken against drug dealers and traffickers since December 2022.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, working with other law enforcement agencies in the area, has been launching an “all-out assault on the narcotics trade plaguing Cherokee County and surrounding areas,” the office announced.
“Through tireless investigation and strategic coordination, these enforcers of law have apprehended several individuals involved in high-level drug trafficking, seizing substantial amounts of illicit substances and contraband.”
One case in December was a joint effort between the Cherokee County and Union County, Ga., sheriff’s offices.
“In a commendable swoop, they arrested four Cherokee County residents who allegedly had substantial quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in their possession while passing through Union County, Ga.,” according to the release.
Then in January, separate joint investigations with Haywood County and Fannin County sheriffs’ offices led to two more significant drug busts, resulting in seizures of more than 2,500 grams of methamphetamine, plus distributable amounts of cocaine and fentanyl. The operations also recovered an array of stolen property and more than 30 firearms.
February’s operations intercepted trafficking quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine from three Cherokee County residents. A coordinated effort with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations and the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office led to an additional arrest and seizure of various narcotics, including fentanyl, cocaine, and meth.
In March and April, vehicle stops led to several arrests and seizures of meth, marijuana, and prescription pills.
Earlier this month, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from Murphy Police Department, executed a search warrant leading to the arrest of an unidentified person they described as a “high-profile trafficker.”
This operation saw the recovery of more than 830 grams of methamphetamine, multiple pharmaceutical controlled substances, large quantities of marijuana, and a significant sum of U.S. currency.
“This is just the beginning, but it highlights the importance of cooperation between not just local departments but also reaching across state lines in order to share information,” said Smith, emphasizing the importance of collaboration. “We are all in this fight together and working together is the only way we will be able to combat the flow of illegal narcotics into Cherokee County.
“These commendable actions underscore their dedication to shielding our communities from the damaging effects of the narcotics trade. Their efforts, relentless as they are, send a clear message to those who dare to violate the law – crime does not pay, and justice will always prevail.”
Following is a list of locally reported arrests on serious drug charges since December. The list does not include simple possession cases.
- Jessica Ann Molina, Asheville, 38, 12-28, sell/deliver schedule III controlled substance, conspire to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, possess methamphetamine.
- Eric Estaban Rivera, Peachtree, 39, 1-4, possess methamphetamine, carrying concealed gun, possess drug paraphernalia, rear lamps
- Coty Evan Jackson, Murphy, 30, 2-2, three counts trafficking in opium or heroin, possess with/intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, no operator’s license, possess drug paraphernalia.
- Joshua James Hughes, Murphy, 44, 2-6, failure to appear on a felony, traffic in methamphetamine, possess with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, possess marijuana greater than one-half ounce to 1½ ounces.
- Jillian Ashley Slone Stiles, Murphy, 41, 2-6, traffic in methamphetamine, possess with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance.
- Justin Lee Phillips, Murphy, 34, 3-4, traffic in methamphetamine, maintain place controlled substance, possess with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, three counts simple possession schedule II controlled substance, possess marijuana up to one-half ounce, possess drug paraphernalia.
- Natasha Smith, Andrews, 35, 3-1, civil contempt, possess methamphetamine, possess controlled substance prison/jail premises, possess drug paraphernalia.
- Russell Edward Bennett Jr., Murphy, 42, 3-4, possess with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance.
- Matthew Lee Hogsed, Murphy, 40, 3-4, possess with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, resisting public officer, holding for other agency.
- Michael William Cull, Murphy, 50, 3-17, failure to appear on a misdemeanor, possession of a firearm by felon, maintain place for controlled substance.
- Diana Gail Stiles, Copperhill, Tenn., 54, 4-21, two counts traffic in methamphetamine, possess with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver methamphetamine, simple possession schedule IV controlled substance, possess drug paraphernalia, possess marijuana greater than one-half ounce to 1½ ounces.
- Ryan Eugene Henry, Murphy, 49, 4-22, manufacture marijuana, possess with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver marijuana.
- Travis Dylan Taylor, Lula, Ga., 33, 4-27, possess with intent to manufacture, sell, deliver methamphetamine, possess methamphetamine.
- Hannah Marie Torrens, Snellville, Ga., 43, 4-27, two counts possess methamphetamine, injury to personal property, possess with intent to manufacture, sell, deliver methamphetamine.
- Kimberly Sue Blue, Murphy, 51, 4-28, three counts traffic in methamphetamine, two counts maintain place for controlled substance, two counts possess with intent to manufacture, sell, deliver methamphetamine.
- William Darin Dockery, Murphy, 44, 5-2, trafficking in opium or heroin, driving while license revoked.
- Dereck Vance Burns, Blue Ridge, Ga., 37, 5-11, possess methamphetamine, possess drug paraphernalia, two counts simple possession schedule IV controlled substance, simple possession schedule III controlled substance.
- Joseph Lee Ramey, Murphy, 41, 5-28, extradition/fugitive other state, possess with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, possess with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule VI controlled substance, possess schedule II controlled substance, possess drug paraphernalia.
- Kimberly Michelle Whitaker, Murphy, 51, 6-2, two counts traffic in methamphetamine, possess with intent to manufacture, sell, deliver methamphetamine, felony possession of cocaine, felony possession marijuana, maintain place for controlled substance, three counts simple possession schedule II controlled substance, possess drug paraphernalia.
- Carlos Dewayne Palmer, Murphy, 59, 6-8, manufacture methamphetamine, 2 counts traffic in methamphetamine.