SYLVANIA - An employee of AMI Kids, formerly known as the Savannah River Challenge, and his brother were arrested last week for alleged drug involvement with individuals housed at the detention center located on Old River Road, Sylvania.
Inv. Michael Duncan with the Screven County Sheriff's Department, said that AMI employee Antwon Johnson and his brother Loverious Johnson were arrested at about 2:30 p.m. Thursday, following a joint investigation between AMI Kids, Sylvania Police and Screven County Sheriff's Dept.
The investigation began after AMI staff members overheard some kids saying that Antwon Johnson would be arriving at work with a drug delivery, Duncan said. Officials from the three departments met at the detention center and awaited his arrival, he said.
Duncan said that Johnson was believed to be selling cocaine to AMI adults and juveniles, inmates housed there for juvenile crimes across the state.
When Johnson arrived with his brother, the vehicle was searched and a quantity of cocaine was found, said Duncan, along with a digital measuring scale.
Both men were taken into custody, and Antwon Johnson consented to a further search of his residence, Duncan said, where they found a stash of marijuana in his bedroom.
Antwon Deangelo Johnson, 26, of Newington Highway, Sylvania, was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and crossing guardlines (with drugs) without consent of warden. Loverious Fleepa Johnson, 32, of Lawton Road, Sylvania, was also arrested and charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and crossing guardlines (with drugs) without consent of warden.
Screven Sheriff Mike Kile commended the commanding staff at AMI Kids for their cooperation with his deputies throughout the investigation and arrests.
"Hopefully newer employees will have a better influence on the juvenile inmates (than Johnson did)," Kile said.
