Fulton raid nets drugs, halts bootlegging and results in 13 arrests
By Barry H. Hendrix

Thirteen suspects were arrested in an afternoon drug raid April 23 on a residence in Fulton.

Approximately 20 officers (including staff of the Clarke County Sheriff's Department, FBI, Alcohol Beverage Control Board and other area agencies) executed a search warrant on the residence at 220 Gold Rush Road.

"An undercover operation between us and other agencies had been going on there for a while," said Deputy Steve Carlisle. Suspects had been selling bootleg beer and narcotics (including prescription drugs, marijuana, cocaine and crack).

There had been several undercover purchases by officers, said Chief Investigator Ron Baggette. "It had been a heavy traffic area. There were probably 20 people there when we raided it."

"There were so many people that hung out there," Carlisle said. There was also a shed in the back, which was used for gambling.

The officers received no resistance from the suspects. "We hit them too quick," Carlisle said.

Among those arrested were Joel Marvin Thompson, charged with two counts of DUI (alcohol); Mack Authur Watson, possession of marijuana; Douglas Norris, possession of marijuana, non-child support and a probation violation; Antonio Tremayne McConnell, possession of marijuana; Dereall Williams, possession of marijuana; Antonio Tremayne McConnell, three counts of distribution of a controlled substance (cocaine), two counts of possession of marijuana, and probation violation; Cedric Cummings, possession of marijuana, second degree; Randall Morris, possession of marijuana and a probation violation; and Darren Lavel Jones, possession of marijuana and drug sale near a school.

One of the suspects, Tamyron Stabler, is the owner of the property and ran the illegal operation. Several of the suspects had outstanding warrants for narcotic violations including distribution.

Seized in the raid were marijuana, firearms and $1,230 in cash.

The Clarke County Sheriff's Department continues to receive valuable information on illegal drug operations such as the Fulton residence. Officers ask that citizens keep cooperating with law enforcement.

An establishment such as the one raided on April 23 is particularly dangerous because children were around the home, Carlisle said.

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