Five drug dealers arrested, more arrests pending
For the past several months, Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell and Putnam County Sheriff’s Lt. Harry Luke have been investigating drug sales in the city and some in the county.
Five “street dealers” were arrested last week and warrants were issued for more, according to Luke.
“The sheriff’s office and the police department are committed to stopping drugs and drug sales in Putnam County,” Cardwell said, to which Luke nodded his head and reiterated, “Committed – we are committed to this, although some people might call it ‘crazy’.”
The arrests are the result of both law enforcement agencies receiving tips from the public on their phone tip lines, which led to the undercover purchase of drugs.
“We want people to know they’re selling crack, powder cocaine, marijuana, and vape pens in neighborhoods and they’re packaged to appeal to kids,” Luke said, noting they seized 5 pounds of marijuana that were packaged for distribution, 1 ounce of powder cocaine which could be used to make 10 ounces of crack, plus vape pens containing THC.
Even though the items were packaged as evidence and put away in the back of the sheriff’s office, the smell of marijuana was noticeable to anyone who walked in the front door of the sheriff’s office. Several people were overheard remarking about it when they walked into the lobby.
“The marijuana was from California and labeled with a pharmaceutical-grade symbol, which means it sells for triple the amount of regular marijuana,” Luke noted. “And it was packaged with Cookie Monster or popular candy brands on the sticker labels. Of course, they’ll sell it to anybody, but it’s packaged to appeal to kids.”
Also seized were several handguns, drug paraphernalia, cash, and a passport.
One of the arrestees, Christopher “White Boy” Hill, jumped in his car and fled from authorities when they pulled up to his house on Lower Harmony Road.
Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said the car chase went on for 14 miles through the county and the city on Thursday evening, March 30, sometimes reaching 100 miles per hour.
“He ran stop signs, went through red traffic lights, drove on the wrong side of the road, was throwing stuff out the windows – it’s unbelievable the way people resist arrest and put the public at risk,” Sills said.
The pursuit ended on the Sparta Highway when Sgt. Justin Brock attempted a pit maneuver, but Hill rammed his car back into the deputy’s patrol car, so they all boxed in Hill’s vehicle and forced it into a ditch and captured him.
A subsequent parole violation search warrant execution at Hill’s house resulted in the above-mentioned items being seized.
The arrests last week in conjunction with the drug-selling investigation include:
• Christopher “White Boy” Alexis Hill, 35, Lower Harmony Rd., Eatonton, charged with two counts of Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act (VGCSA) – possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of Schedule 1 THC Oil, two counts aggravated assault on a peace officer, two counts possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm in the commission of a crime, two counts felony attempting to elude, three counts failure to stop at a stop sign, two counts speeding, failure to obey traffic control device, reckless driving, three counts driving on the wrong side of the road, and passing in a No Passing Zone.
• Oscar “Turd” Dunn, 63, of Hillside Drive, Eatonton, charged with VGCSA – possession, manufacture, distribution, and sale of marijuana.
• Jim Henry Aikens, 49, Seven Island Road, Madison, charged with VGCSA – four counts of sale of cocaine, and one count of sale of marijuana.
• Stanley Lashun Ingram, 51, Sams Way, Eatonton, on VGCSA charges of two counts of sale of cocaine.
• Edgar Alexis Amaya, 29, Cherry Street, Eatonton, for VGCSA – two counts of sale of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, and drug-related objects.