Pickens County, Georgia June 24, 2020:
As a result of a 9-month investigation known as “Operation The Real McCoy,” the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad (CMANS), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) served 47 arrest warrants for multiple charges including gang and drug related offenses and seized more than $1.7 million worth of methamphetamine following a nine-month drug investigation across the state.
In September 2019, Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad (CMANS) agents began an investigation into a supply chain of methamphetamine into Cherokee County. The initial investigations led CMANS agents to DeKalb and Gwinnett counties and members of the Ghostface Gangsters.
Among those charged were seven Georgia inmates locked up in various prisons across the state, according to Phil Price, commander of Cherokee County’s Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad. Officials also conducted search warrants at six homes, resulting in the seizure of 136 kilograms of meth worth nearly $2 million, he said.
Agents also seized $100,000 in cash. According to the GBI, the investigation into the drug trafficking organization centered on 26-year-old Brannon McCoy, a Georgia inmate. Investigators said McCoy acted as a “broker” from within the State Prison Camp in Sumter County, facilitating the movement of meth from trafficking organizations in Mexico.
Based on the initial investigation, CMANS, the GBI Gang Task Force, and HSI conducted an intensive investigation into the drug trafficking and distribution organization involving Brannon McCoy, age 26, Michael Hazelwood, age 45, and Tricia Setser, age 38, who are traffickers of methamphetamine operating within numerous counties in Georgia including Sumter, Effingham, Fulton, Clayton, DeKalb, Cobb, Cherokee, Gilmer, and Pickens.
The investigation revealed a network involving members of the Ghostface Gangsters, the Gangster Disciples, and the Sureños.
The following were charged with Violation of the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act in Pickens County as part of “Operation The Real McCoy”:
Tanner Burnell, 31, currently in custody at the Pickens County Jail
Donnie Chastain, 47, currently in custody at the Pickens County Jail
Cindy McCoy-Wilson, 49, currently in custody at the Pickens County Jail
Christopher Morris, 34, currently in custody at the Pickens County Jail
Allyson Moyer, 41, currently in custody at the Pickens County Jail
Jesse Rodriguez, 22, currently in custody at the Pickens County Jail
David Skinner, 46, currently in custody at the Pickens County Jail
Amanda Vliek, 37, currently in custody at the Pickens County Jail
Brandon Sanchez Laney, 32, also charged with Violation of Georgia Street Gang and Terrorism Act, currently in custody at the Cherokee County Jail
Tyler Morris, 28, currently in custody at the Cherokee County Jail
Carl Welchel, 49, currently in custody at the Cherokee County Jail
Tricia Setser, 38, currently in custody at the Cherokee County Jail
Casey Plumb, 31, currently in custody at the Cherokee County Jail
Michael Hazelwood, 45, currently in custody at Cherokee County Jail
Josh Phillips, 23, currently in custody at the Gwinnett County Jail
Josh David Collins, 37, currently in custody of GDC
William Jamie Fields, 27, currently in custody of GDC
Brannon Chase McCoy, 26, currently in custody of GDC
Terrell Jamar Owens, 38, currently in custody of GDC
Bryan Thomas Pitt, 36, currently in custody of GDC
Kevin Rodriguez, 24, currently in custody of GDC
Joseph Seaborn III, 47, currently in custody of GDC
Dewane Cook, 46, currently in custody in Monroe County, TN
Orvelin Garcia Penaloza, 25, currently a fugitive from justice
Evan Dannny Taylor Yancey, currently a fugitive from justice
Dillon Thompson, 40, currently a fugitive from justice
Savannah Newton, 22, currently a fugitive from justice
Tracey Shirley, 47, currently a fugitive from justice
Brittany Owen, 41, also charged with Violation of Georgia Street Gang and Terrorism Act, currently a fugitive from justice
Dennis Debord, 39, currently a fugitive from justice
Jessica Darby, 33, currently a fugitive from justice
Derick Barker, 35, currently a fugitive from justice
Justin Barker, 31, currently a fugitive from justice
Mindy Skelton, 38, currently a fugitive from justice
These individuals conspired with one or more persons to participate, directly and indirectly, in an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity, and did commit at least one overt act and conspired to commit a felony with Brannon McCoy. Mr. McCoy acted as a broker from within the State Prison Camp in Sumter County, Georgia, for the distribution of methamphetamine from members of Drug Trafficking Organizations in Mexico to the streets of North Georgia, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
The following individuals were arrested on June 24, 2020:
Erik Noe Fuentes Escobar, 26, charged in Barrow County, GA with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Kevin Vega-Santana, 18, charged with trafficking methamphetamine in Fulton County, GA.
Artemio Maldonado Santana, 28, charged with trafficking methamphetamine in Fulton County, GA.
Elvis Maldonado-Santana, 21, charged with trafficking methamphetamine in Fulton County, GA.
Buford Smith, 68, charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute in Pickens County, GA.
Leah Thompson, 31, charged with possession of methamphetamine in Pickens County, GA.
Joseph Arp, 50, charged with possession of methamphetamine in Pickens County, GA.
Wendy Kirby, 44, charged with obstruction in Pickens County, GA.
Tracy Kirby, 42, charged with obstruction in Pickens County, GA.
William Ryder, 45 charged with obstruction in Pickens County, GA.
Ashley Foster, 31, charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of a Schedule IV substance in Pickens County, GA.
Christopher Mountain 47, charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of a Schedule IV substance in Pickens County, GA.
Marjorie Brown, 61, charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute in Pickens County, GA.
Agents seized over 136 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at $1.76 million and approximately $100,000.
Agencies involved in the investigation were the CMANS, the GBI Gang Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, Pickens Sheriff’s Office, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the Cherokee County District Attorney's Office, Georgia Department of Corrections, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Barrow Sheriff’s Office, the Gordon County Drug Task Force, Gwinnett Gang Task Force and Special Investigation Section, DeKalb District Attorney’s Office, the Cobb PD and District Attorney’s Office, the Clayton SO and District Attorney’s Office, the Apex Unit from Atlanta PD, the West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, and the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office.
The GBI Gang Task Force is made up of GBI Agents, task force agents from the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, the Atlanta Police Department, the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force and the United States Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations.
The Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad is a joint task force working in Cherokee County and Pickens County to investigate drug related violations. Participating agencies include the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, the Pickens Sheriff’s Office, the Canton Police Department, the Woodstock Police Department, the Holly Springs Police Department, the Ball Ground Police Department, the Cherokee County Marshal’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, the District Attorney’s Office for the Appalachian Judicial Circuit and the Georgia State Patrol. Citizens may call in tips anonymously to (770) 345-7920 or may speak to an agent by calling (678) 493-7625.
Oh gosh who are we supposed to blame here let me guess are the drugs still coming from Mexico looks like to me nothing but snowflakes................. Let’s see who the comments blame
ReplyDeleteUmm there would be no supply if there was no demand
DeleteEvery race is involved in drug trade. Those blaming solely Mexico for drugs in America are idiots. It's a team effort involving many races and gangs.
Delete12:56
DeleteBingo correct
I hope the drugs "recovered" were not stolen or borrowed from the police own evidence rooms, evidence in posession of police is worth caca, that is why the cops often wait until the crooks put money in their pocket, then it becomes their money.
DeleteSureños in Georgia?
ReplyDeleteThey’re everywhere
DeleteAnd they said they were running out of room forinmates in prison
ReplyDeletethey are going to do a lot of time
ReplyDeleteAnd this revolving door never stops. This abundance of ignorance filling the void for an illusion is compellingly evident.
DeleteCurrently in custody?
ReplyDeleteTo supermax ultra they go.
I’m thinking they will sing 🎶 like the birds 🐦
Deletewhites get no jail, bond out on their own recognizance, minorities get convicted on sight and get lenghty prison terms without probation, fines or parole.
DeleteI live in Gordon county, which borders Pickens. Sur 13 controls all the meth action here. It is flooded. And it only costs $40 an eighth. And to get a bunch, all you gotta do is talk to one of the prison guys and they set up a drop.
ReplyDelete