By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
21 more arrested in Metter drug raid
Placeholder Image
    Following a drug raid in the Metter area last week, the Federal Bureau of Investigations announced the arrests of 21 more on drug charges. Agents expect further arrests in connection with the investigation, said FBI spokesman Edward W. Reinhold.
    During the raid, agents also found and seized an assortment drugs and multiple firearms. In an arrest not connected with the drug investigation,  Anthony Joyner, age and street address unavailable,  Metter, was arrested on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
    The initial round of arrests netted 13 people - nine from Metter and four from Atlanta. The second wave of arrests occurred  Dec. 3 and 4, when agents executed federal and state warrants issued as a result of a federal indictment returned in the Southern District of Georgia and state charges levied in the Ogeechee Judicial District.
    Arrested were Johnny Patrick Pinkston, 29, MLK Boulevard, Metter;  Ramon Antonio Kelly,31, Ronnie Street, Metter;  Coy Antrone Donaldson, 21, Marcus Street, Metter;  Willie Louis Mincey, 55, Lincoln Street, Metter; ,  Cecilia Patrick Smith, 25, Kestrel Lane, Metter;  Bob Aaron Mikell,  32, N. Leroy Street, Metter;  Otejia Shautavian Wilson, 27, Morris Road, Statesboro; and Kenneth Godbee, 40, Wharton Drive, Augusta.
    Ages and street addresses were not immediately available for the following suspects arrested in the raid, all of whom are from Metter: Luzinski Antonio Williams, Willie Claude Lanier,  Salvatore Andrews,  Keon Demar Davis,  Alexander Lanier, Jr.,  Altoma Dekle,  Brian Brannen,   Jeremy Mosley,  and Monica Lanier.
    Ages and street addresses were also not available for the following who were arrested as well in the raid: Ray Hughes, Stillmore; Angela Rogers,  Statesboro;  Sheikel Jamison, Claxton;  and Claude Lamar Davis,  Augusta.
    According to the 11-count federal indictment, each arrested were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (crack) and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride (powder);  possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack) and possession with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride (powder); and aiding and abetting.  
    Some defendants were also issued state charges of sale of cocaine, Reinhold said.
    Federal agents are also seeking the following individuals  in connection with the federal indictment: Julius Pinkston of Metter and Atlanta; Charles Willis,Atlanta ; Leon Perry,Metter; Brentis Hendrix, Register; Samuel Brown, Savannah; and Andrea Franklin,Virginia.
    Anyone with information concerning any of these individuals is asked to contact the FBI or a local law enforcement agency.
    The arrests were the culmination of a year long investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Tri-Circuit Drug Task Force, Bulloch County Drug Suppression Team, Candler County Sheriff’s Office, Ogeechee Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Georgia, he said.
    The  Georgia State Patrol and Metter Police Department also assisted in the investigation and subsequent arrests, he said.
    The suspects will "be afforded an initial appearance before the United States Magistrate Judge in Statesboro," with those facing state charges being arraigned in Metter, he said.
Sign up for the Herald's free e-newsletter