Washington County deputies make a string of prison smuggling busts

DAVISBORO, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - It’s not unusual for deputies to catch people trying to fly contraband into Washington State Prison with drones, but the past few days have been busier than normal.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has busted four smuggling attempts in less than a month.

March 7

Around 11:48 p.m., deputies were dispatched to West Brown Drive in Davisboro to investigate reports of several suspicious individuals.

It was soon determined that the individuals were in Davisboro attempting a prison drop at Washington State Prison, Cochran said.

During the investigation, deputies recovered a drone, a drone controller connected to a cellphone and drawstring bags containing suspected contraband including marijuana, tobacco, and Promethazine.

Authorities said they arrested Emmarrion Murray, 20, of Jonesboro; Serpico Evans, 27, of East Point; and Alfonso Horton, 23, of Forest Park.

All three are charged with trading with inmates (felony), conspiracy to commit a felony (felony), possession of marijuana with intent to distribute (felony), possession of schedule v controlled substance with intent to distribute (felony). Evans was also charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony (felony).

March 3

While on patrol, a deputy was alerted to a package that had been dropped onto the prison grounds.

Shortly after, the deputy stopped a vehicle for speeding and, during the stop, detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, according to Cochran.

After a brief investigation, it was determined that the suspects were involved in the drop, Cochran said.

Authorities recovered 15 pounds of tobacco, 5 pounds of marijuana, drone-related items and other evidence from the drop. Two firearms were also seized from the suspects, though it’s believed they were not intended for the drop.

Deputies arrested:

Tristin Butler, 18 of Ellewood, charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm during commission of a crime, unauthorized use of unmanned aircraft, items prohibited without authorization marijuana, items prohibited without authorization tobacco, crossing guard lines with contraband, and trading with inmates.

Corey Woods, 24, of Atlanta, charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm during commission of a crime, possession of firearm by convicted felon, unauthorized use of unmanned aircraft, items prohibited without authorization marijuana, items prohibited without authorization tobacco, trading with inmates, crossing guard lines with contraband, and possession of marijuana.

Rafeal Batista, 22, of Conyers, charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm during commission of a crime, unauthorized use of unmanned aircraft, items prohibited without authorization marijuana, items prohibited without authorization tobacco, trading with inmates, crossing guard lines with contraband and possession of marijuana.

Feb. 26

Around 11:30 p.m., a deputy patrolling the Davisboro area spotted several suspicious vehicles near the area close to the prison. Upon investigating, the deputy approached one of the vehicles and encountered a man and a woman with a large drone with packages zip-tied to the bottom.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Shantavia Glass, 38, of Clarkston, and Eddie Williams, 55, of Stone Mountain.

Both were taken to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and charged with multiple felonies, including trafficking in marijuana, trafficking in methamphetamine, two counts of possession with intent to distribute a Schedule 2 drug, and six counts of trading with inmates, according to authorities.

“As one prison drop suspect recently told us, ‘Y’all are relentless here in Washington County,’” Sheriff Joel Cochran posted on Facebook.

Feb. 19

Around 11:15 p.m., deputies patrolling the Davisboro area were alerted to a possible attempted contraband drop at Washington State Prison.

Upon arrival, a deputy spotted two men trying to toss an item over the prison fence before fleeing into a nearby cornfield to the east, authorities said.

Shortly after, another deputy conducted a traffic stop on Highway 24 near the prison and, following a brief investigation, identified the driver as the getaway suspect.

A short time later, the two suspects were found near a field nearby.

Authorities arrested Amaris Zytrell Porter, 20; Roderick Antonio Sears, 18; and Darius Rashad Wimbley, 20. All three are from Eatonton.

They are all charged with two counts of items prohibited by inmates (felony), trading with inmates (felony), trafficking Ecstasy (felony), possession of marijuana with intent to ditribute (felony) and criminal tres (misdemeanor).

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