Barbour County Sheriff’s Department

PRESS RELEASE

Two recent undercover drug operations ran simultaneously by Barbour County Deputies are proving to be the most successful undercover operations ran by the Sheriff’s Office during Sheriff Upshaw’s tenure.

Thus far more than three-dozen drug dealers, most with extensive criminal histories, have been arrested and are being held in the Barbour County Jail without bond from operations “Iron Bars” and “Grinch”.

“These were two totally separate operations by our department. There have been some long hours spent doing surveillance and buys but we’re very pleased with the results”, said Chief Deputy Eddie Ingram who supervised both.

Deputies have arrested the following individuals within the last 7-days of operation “Grinch”:

1. Watson, Jesse William, age 22, from Eufaula – charged with “unlawful distribution of a controlled substance”.

2. Steele, Debra Denise, age 45, from Clayton – charged with “unlawful distribution of a controlled substance” and “possession of drug paraphernalia”.

3. Brown, Jennifer Marie, age 34, from Eufaula – charged with “unlawful distribution of a controlled substance”.

4. Price, William Trey, age 28, from Eufaula – charged with “unlawful distribution of a controlled substance”.

5. Gamble, Carl Wilson, age 58, from Clayton – charged with “unlawful distribution of a controlled substance”. (Warrant obtained – Wanted Person!)

6. Busboom, Ryan Michael, age 28, from Eufaula – charged with “unlawful distribution of a controlled substance” and “possession of a controlled substance”.

7. Hicks, Thomas Dennard, age 27, from Eufaula – charged with “unlawful distribution of a controlled substance”.

8. Fischer, Holly Marie, age 34, from Eufaula – charged with “unlawful distribution of a controlled substance”.

9. Kelley, Janet Michelle age 32, of Georgetown, Ga. – charged with “unlawful distribution of a controlled substance” (3 counts).

10. Stafford, Christina E. age 31, of Eufaula – charged with “unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (methamphetamine)”. Stafford is also wanted on drug related charges in Florida.

11. Whitman, Hunter T., age 24, of Georgetown, Ga. – charged with “unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (methamphetamine)”.

12. Smith, Raphael, age 22, of Clio – charged with “unlawful distribution of a controlled substance”.

13. Respress, Lamar, age 28, of Eufaula – charged with “unlawful possession of a controlled substance” and “unlawful possession of marijuana”.

14. Peterson, Kennard, age 25, of Eufaula – Wanted Person - warrant obtained for “unlawful distribution of a controlled substance”.

The identities of five additional suspects that were arrested are being withheld by authorities at this time because of an ongoing investigation.

Most of those arrested remain in the Barbour County Jail without bond. However, a bond was set at $50,000.00 for three of the first time sellers.

“We hope to have a dozen more dealers in jail by Christmas Eve. I believe that would be a good Christmas gift for the law-abiding citizens here”, said Sheriff Leroy Upshaw.

Within the past 3 weeks, 35 individuals have been arrested and/or being sought on drug related charges by Deputies. Most now face multiple felony charges.

“The majority of those arrested were out of jail on probation or just out of prison on drug related charges. We’re very serious about getting the drugs off our streets”, added Sheriff Upshaw.

Narcotic Investigators R.C. Covington and Corey Mason are being assisted by several Deputies with the Sheriff’s Department and other officers from throughout the area with the operations.