Eleven arrested in Baltimore drug roundup; police say more arrests are expected soon

2006-04-06 / Front Page

By KIP BURKE news editor

A law enforcement strike force of 25 city, county, state, and parole officers made a 3 a.m. raid on a Baltimore home recently resulting in 11 drug arrests and Washington police say an ongoing investigation promises more arrests to come.

Ramon Gartrell, 34, a Washington drug dealer with multiple convictions, was the target of the raid on the Tate Street home he shared with Tammy Tatum Willis, 27, said Washington Police Chief Investigator Lt. Joe Nelson. A confidential informant had made several controlled buys at that address, leading up to a search warrant.

The raid came at a time when a large number of people were at the Tate Street house. "They were having a party that night," Nelson said. "There were about 60 people over there. All the drugs were found on the ground around the cars, so everyone found around the cars was arrested because at the time we couldn't prove who the drugs belonged to."

Since the arrests, police have had

chance to interview them, Lt. Nelson said, "And some of them wouldn't talk, but some of them would. Somebody has come forward and told us confidentially who the drugs belonged to."

Arrested at the March 18 party were Gartrell and Willis. Also arrested were Sherman Blackmon, 26; Jamarrus Sherrer, 22; Fred Olentric Williams, 32; Tyricas Blackmon, 25; Curtis Milton, 24; Shaka Brantley, 27; James Wallace, 25; Tavaris Ramsey, 28; Allison Wilkinson, 23; and Lazarto Smith, 24.

"They were charged with posses sion of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent," Nelson said, "and we also found some suspected Ecstasy, so when the results come back from the crime lab, there will be more charges."

Nelson pointed out that more arrests were coming. "As a result of this intense drug investigation, we have more people to pick up. Chances are, if you sold drugs in the last six months, your name is going to be on a warrant. We've bought drugs all over Washington, from one side to the other, so we'll be knocking on your door soon."

In other law enforcement action, the following arrests were recorded at the Wilkes County Law Enforcement Center:

Stephanie K. Walton, 36, of Washington, was arrested March 30 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with stalking. She was released on $5,000 bond.

Amanda Beth Garrard-Hiland, 35, of Washington, was arrested March 27 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with deposit account fraud. She was released on a cash bond.

Neiko T. Randall, 22, of Crawfordville, was arrested March 25 by Washington Police and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. He was released on $25,000 bond.

Kenneth Rollins, 45, of Washington, was arrested March 25 by Washington police and charged with trespassing. He was released on $500 bond.

James Kelly Ledford, 28, of Dacula, was arrested March 25 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. He was released on $787 cash bond.

Winston Keith Gilchrist, 25, of Lincolnton, was arrested March 25 by Washington police and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. He was released on $1,600 bond.

Jarvis Milton, 19, of Washington, was arrested March 24 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with a probation violation.

Jamal Demarrio Evans, 26, of Washington, was arrested March 22 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. He was held on $25,000 bond.

Ramon H. Barnes, 25, of Washington, was arrested March 22 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with one charge of disorderly conduct and one of simple battery. He was released on $10,000 bond.

Sylvester Cullars, 31, of Washington, was arrested March 22 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with possession and use of drug-related objects. He was released on $6,000 bond.

James Edward Danner, 22, of Washington, was arrested March 22 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. He was released on $25,000 bond.

James Edward Mahoney, 48, of Washington, was arrested March 21 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with arson in the first degree; making false statements; and a probation violation.

George Gates, 50, of Washington, was arrested March 20 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with deposit account fraud. He was released on payment of $291 cash bond.

Mamie A. Owens, 46, of Washington, was arrested March 20 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with a parole violation.

Frankie Lee Shank, 27 of Wilkes County, was arrested March 19 by Washington police and charged with being a habitual violator; one charge of driving under the influence; driving with an open container of alcohol; driving on a suspended or revoked license; and an equipment violation. He was released on $14,000 bond.

Mark Edward Gresham, 27, of Tignall, was arrested March 19 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with a probation violation.

Alejandro Pariagua Ortega, 23, of Washington, was arrested March 17 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with violation of a drivers license requirement. He was released on $183 bond.

Robert Lee Davis, 68, of Wilkes County, was arrested March 17 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol; driving with an open container; and an equipment citation. He was released on $4,000 bond.

Ramirez H. Alonso, 39, of Wilkes County, was arrested March 17 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with operation of a vehicle without license plates, and a drivers license requirement. He was released on $310 bond.

Willie Bufford, 54, of Washington, was arrested March 16 by Washington police and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute; driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; driving with an open container; driving with no insurance; driving with no license plate; and driving without a license. He was held on $32,500 bond.

Machille Milton, 26, of Washington, was arrested March 13 by Washington police and charged with disorderly conduct. She was released on payment of a cash fine.

Christopher Kevin Garman, 35, of Fleming, Ga., was arrested March 12 by the Georgia State Patrol and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and with speeding 83 m.p.h. in a 55 zone. He was released on $821 cash fine.

Melvin Thomas, 41, of Crawfordville, was arrested March 11 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with battery. He was held on $4,000 bond.

Brandyn Melton, 24, of Marietta, was arrested March 12 by Washington police and charged with disorderly conduct. He was released on $600 bond.

Willie George Mercier, 47, of Washington, was arrested March 11 by Washington police and charged with disorderly conduct and trespass. He was released on $969 bond.

Henry Glenn, 46, of Washington, was arrested March 8 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with a peeping tom offense. He was released on $5,000 bond.

Ceabron Bryan Yearwood, 26, of Washington, was arrested March 9 by the Georgia State Patrol and charged with failure to stop or return to the scene of an accident; with driving on a revoked or suspended license; and on a lane violation. He was held on $3,500 bond.

Maurieca J. Robinson, 36, of Augusta, was arrested March 3 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with theft by shoplifting. He was held on $5,000 bond.

Eric E. Harris, 32, of Greensboro, was arrested March 2 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with burglary. He was held on bond.

Robert Christopher McCarty, 21, of Washington, was arrested March 2 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with theft by taking. He was held on bond.

Robert Lee Mahoney, 21, of Washington, was arrested March 2 by Wilkes County deputies and charged with a state probation violation.

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