WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ga. — The Washington County Sheriff’s Office arrested eight people on drug-related charges Friday in four separate events, according to a release from Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran.
Other agencies assisted, including the Middle Georgia Gang Task Force, Sandersville Police Department, GBI and Department of Corrections.
Sheriff Cochran says the day started with deputies carrying out a search warrant on Gum Street. Law enforcement arrested Robert Johnson, 64, on three counts of selling cocaine, per the report.
Four additional people were arrested in an unrelated, ongoing investigations. Howard Swint, Donald Sutton Jr., Anthony Williams and William Hall were charged with the possession of cocaine, according to the release.
Hall was charged with attempting to escape from the arrest, Cochran said. Both Hall and Williams were charged with violating their parole. Sutton was also charged with owning a gun as a convicted felon.
Cochran says Washington County deputies also found a car stuck on a dirt road near the prison in Davisboro Friday morning. They found drugs in the vehicle, and arrested the driver, David Mangum.
The 28-year-old out of Claremont was charged with criminal trespassing, possession of meth, possession of marijuana and trading with inmates, per the report.
In June, the sheriff's office arrested two people in connection to an attempted contraband drop at Washington State Prison.
Cochran says the arrests ended around noon on Friday. According to the report, deputies saw a hand-to-hand drug deal and arrested Freddie Fleming, 59, and Justin Sutton, 32, both of Sandersville.
The report says both men were charged with possession and intent to distribute cocaine. Sutton was also charged with cocaine trafficking and possession of a weapon during the crime.
“We're committed to keeping drugs out of Washington County,” Cochran said. “Our team, alongside our partners, is working tirelessly to stop the flow and sale of illegal substances in our community. Together, we'll continue to fight against this threat to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents.”