Drug ring exposed by CMANS and PCSO

JASPER, Ga – On November 18, 2019, Pickens County deputies and Agents of the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad (CMANS) executed search warrants at five locations in Pickens County. These warrants were based on a three-month-long investigation into the sale and distribution of methamphetamine in the Jasper area.

The investigation involves a loosely organized group of individuals who were importing methamphetamine into the Jasper area. As CMANS Agents began to follow leads and conduct surveillance on the targets of the investigation, they were able to determine that the criminal enterprise reached from Southern California to Jasper.

Warrants were executed at 236 Martin Road, Jasper; 1186 Bethany Road, Jasper; 231 Salacoa Vista, Jasper; 915 Hill City Road, Jasper and 623 Fuller Mountain Road, Jasper. Officers recovered 7 stolen guns, small amounts of marijuana and pills and about seven ounces of suspected methamphetamine. Law enforcement officers arrested fourteen (14) people on charges filed in Pickens County.

Arrested were; Vicky Ponder, 55 YOA of Jasper for Possession of Methamphetamine;

Robert K. Privette, 55 YOA of Jasper for Trafficking Methamphetamine and Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO);

Angela Patterson, 39 YOA of Ball Ground for Possession of Methamphetamine;

Kevin Biermann, 64 YOA of Jasper for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Schedule 4 Controlled Substance and Violation of RICO Act;

Marvin Ray Waldroup, 51 YOA of Jasper for Trafficking Methamphetamine and Violation of RICO Act;

Tony Pettigrew, 53 YOA of Jasper for Trafficking Methamphetamine and Obstruction;

Diana Hamby, 48 YOA of Jasper for Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine;

Micheal Smith, 28 YOA of Canton for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute;

Hayden Howard, 28 YOA of Canton for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute;

Dakota Estes. 29 YOA of Jasper for Possession of Methamphetamine;

Amanda Estes, 27 YOA of Jasper for Possession of Methamphetamine;

JoAnn Flowers, 51 YOA of Jasper for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony;

Barry Morgan, 59 YOA of Jasper for Violation of RICO Act;

Anthony Baker, 58 YOA of Jasper for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Violation of RICO Act, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony and Trafficking Methamphetamine.

Additional warrants are outstanding for individuals in Cherokee County and in Tennessee.

The Pickens Sheriff’s Office has recently partnered the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad (CMANS) to conduct drug investigations in Pickens County. CMANS Agents are tasked with the goal of disrupting organizations and sources of supply in the Cherokee/Pickens Area.

The Pickens Sheriff’s Office, the CMANS, the Cherokee/Pickens Multi-Agency SWAT Team and the Georgia State Patrol Aviation Unit worked together to safely execute these warrants all across the county.

As always, all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Photos courtesy of Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.