7 charged after stolen iPhone leads Marietta police to drug, guns

By Fran Jeffries and David Ibata

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

An application activated on a stolen cell phone guided Marietta police to an apartment that allegedly contained a large stash of drugs and guns early Tuesday.

Police using the “Find My iPhone” app on an iPhone4 said they traced the stolen phone to the Autumn View Apartments at 1035 Franklin Road.

There, they seized a stash that included 1,100 grams of marijuana; five handguns, three of which were stolen; an assault rifle; 42 tablets of Oxycodone and a digital scale, said Marietta police spokesman Officer David Baldwin.

Police arrested and charged seven individuals.

Afton Leak, 22, and Brandon A. King, 20, both of Marietta, were charged with numerous theft, weapons and narcotics charges, Baldwin said.

Christian Moore, 22, and Qunitavious Cullins, 22, both of Atlanta; Shaquala K. Dennis, 20, and Tatravious D. Nelson, age 31, both of Marietta, and Jasmyne J. Pleasant, 20, of Acworth were all charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana, the police spokesman said.

Police made the bust after someone at the Marietta Hotel on Northwest Parkway reported the phone stolen around 3 a.m.

Not only did the “Find My iPhone” app lead officers to a specific building within the Autumn View Apartments, but it also indicated that the stolen phone was in the northeast corner of the building, Baldwin said.

Police found an apartment in that location with lights on and noticed a very strong odor of marijuana coming from the apartment, he said. When they knocked and announced themselves, one suspect allegedly attempted to jump off the second-story balcony.

That person was taken into custody, and the stolen iPhone was recovered from him, Baldwin said. Officers obtained a search warrant for the unit and detained several people.

Baldwin encouraged citizens who own smart phones to get similar applications.

“This application is not only a great tool for owners in recovering lost or misplaced phones, but can also be utilized by law enforcement as an investigative tool in recovering stolen property,” he said.