Nearly 30 charged in N. Augusta bust 11/24/2008 11:59 PM By KAREN DAILY Staff writer
After a two-month-long investigation, state and local law enforcement officers took over a North Augusta home where they began posing as drug dealers and over the weekend busted more than two dozen men and women, officials said.
At 5:30 a.m. Friday, investigators served a search warrant at a home at 155 Kip Road, which they then used to make reverse sales from, resulting in the majority of arrests, said Lt. Michael Frank. an Aiken County Sheriff's Office spokesperson.
He explained that the sheriff's office initially received calls from neighbors who complained that, at times, there had been as many as 100 cars coming and going from the Kip Road home. The deputies launched an investigation which culminated over the weekend, the lieutenant added.
The undercover narcotics officers began selling the phony drugs from the home and then making arrests, he explained.
The Aiken Department of Public Safety, Hampton County Sheriff's Department, Lexington County Sheriff's Department and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division participated in the investigation.
Carlos L. Hazel, 23, of 155 Kip Road in North Augusta, is charged with five counts of distribution of crack cocaine and five counts of distribution of crack cocaine within a half-mile of school.
Anthony T. Perry, 23, of 2029 Celeste Circle in North Augusta, is charged with possession of crack cocaine.
James R. Rivers III, 49, of 207 Five Notch Road in North Augusta, is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
Christopher C. Veal, 36, of 1760 Womrath Road in North Augusta, is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
Anthony C. Nelson, 38, of 321 Clay Court in North Augusta, is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and fraudulent check.
David Williams Jr., 51, of 526 Kemp Lane in North Augusta, is charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Timothy Wright, 44, of 4324 Creekview Drive in Hephzibah, Ga., is charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Melanie T. Rhine, 44, of 204 Piedmont Avenue in Belvedere, is charged with attempt to possess a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and a family court bench warrant.
Efrem L. Nipper, 40, of 13 Jacob McKie Road in Trenton, is charged with attempt to possess a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Wanda E. Malone, 43, of 405 Audubon Circle in Belvedere, is charged with attempt to possess a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Gregory J. Mays, 40, of 206 Clairmont Avenue in North Augusta, is charged with open container.
Charles W. Mays, 40, of 1012 Dugas Street in Augusta, is charged with attempt to possess a controlled substance.
Donald W. Brock, 34, of 438 Old Walden Wells Road in North Augusta., is charged with attempt to possess a controlled substance.
Janet S. Hall, 59, of 310-A Verdery Drive in North Augusta, is charged with attempt to possess a controlled substance.
Ricky L. Hill, 34, of 16 Castlida Drive in North Augusta, is charged with attempt to possess a controlled substance.
John H. Walker, 49, of 715 Mt. Zion Road in Trenton, is charged with attempt to possess a controlled substance.
Melvin Walker, of 8049 Justee Lane in Trenton is charged with attempt to possess a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension.
Elroy L. Smith, of 42, 524 Sunrise Court in North Augusta, is charged with attempt to possess a controlled substance and driving under suspension.
Eugene L. Moseley, 44, of 126 Elder Street in North Augusta, is charged with attempt to possess a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and fraudulent check.
Latoya L. Dixon, 20, of 412 Ridge Road in North Augusta, is charged with attempt to possess a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Diego A. Davis, 34, of 2121 Boykin Road in Augusta, is charged with attempt to possess a controlled substance, unlawful conduct toward a child and child restraint.
Lashonda D. Johnson, 29, of 644 Seymore Court in North Augusta, is charged with unlawful conduct toward a child and child restraint.
Ronnie J. Burton, 32, of 155 Greenland Drive in North Augusta, is charged with attempt to possess a controlled substance
Ashley Williams, 23, of 131 Cooper Loop Lane in North Augusta, is charged with three counts of shoplifting and gas drive-off.
Cletus D. Stamper, 39, of 65 Rock Creek Drive in Trenton, is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and open container.
Samuel L. Dillard III, 21, of 2241 Edgefield Highway in Aiken, is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and open container.
Fawn M. Myers, 44, of 634 Hutchinson Drive in North Augusta, is charged with 22 counts of fraudulent check.
Willie L. McCorkle, 60, of 1022 Beechdale Drive in Beech Island, is charged with two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com
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Comment Title: This is in response to the comment that "Mr. Readbetweenthelines" made about the store by the post office in Montmorenci
The Montmorenci Junction store by the post office is NOT A DRUG DEALING STORE! The owners are not on drugs, nor do they deal drugs. Get your facts straight before you go making accusations. You have crackheads everywhere, even in your neighborhood. Just because crackheads shop in your store does not make it a drug dealing store! You sound like a busybody with no life. Do you get it Mr. Readbetweenthelines?? Can you back up all that mouth?
Posted by: On: 11/26/2008
Comment Title:
The illegality of recreational drugs (except alcohol) tightens up the supply and drives the profit margin up way high. Economics 101.The high cost to the consumer may drive a heavy addict to theft,but theft is already illegal.The vast majority of illegal users have jobs, just like the "good" people.
Posted by: On: 11/26/2008
Comment Title:
It's not the fact that they get high...who cares about that...but who do you think are the one's breaking into houses and stealing stuff...the crackheads that don't have jobs and just want to get high that who. But arresting them is not going to do much good they will get out in a few days and do it all over again.
Posted by: On: 11/25/2008
Comment Title: Great Job on CLEANING up the STREETS from the DRUGGIES
Way to go ACDC! now if we could just CLEAN all the Drug Areas in the County, the County would be so much nicer and the kids much safer. Wow according to the comments here, someone is giving you some HUGE TIPS to work on next. Let's get em' guys!!!
Posted by: On: 11/25/2008
Comment Title:
Heroes saving the town from people who like to get high. That doesn't benefit me in any way, shape or form.
Posted by: On: 11/25/2008
Comment Title: AWESOME Making our streets and kids a little safer
I don't think that getting caught buying or selling drugs bring trumpt up charges. If they do the crime, then they should do the time. Those people are adults, who know right from wrong. They chose to do wrong, and now they should pay. I commend our officers. They are making our streets safer for us and our kids.
Posted by: On: 11/25/2008
Comment Title: Trumped Up Charges
Looks like a bunch of trumped up charges again in Aiken County.
Posted by: Mr. Readbetweenthelines On: 11/25/2008
Comment Title: East Aiken Drug Busts?
Good job on the North Augusta bust. Maybe now we can clean up the highway 78 corridor? Start with the drug dealing store by the post office in Montmorenci, and then the drug dealers down Cadle Crossing Rd., and then the two drug dealing stores in Windsor, and Spring Branch Rd. When they get that cleaned up they can bust the drug dealers on highway 302 near Wagner, you know, the ones with the hay farming operation for a cover. It will be easy to catch them all, just follow the crack heads and they will lead you straight to them.
Posted by: On: 11/25/2008
Comment Title: 30 Points for the Good Guys!
Hard work pays off. Thank you to our law enforcement officers for looking out for us.
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