Twenty people, including active members of a neo-Nazi prison gang, were arrested after a substantial amount of drugs, guns and cash were seized, officials said.
Rome police said more than 4 pounds of methamphetamine, numerous firearms, prescription pills, money and multiple vehicles were seized during the investigation, which was a joint effort between the GBI, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and several agencies across Polk and Floyd counties.
Some of those arrested were connected to the Aryan Brotherhood street gang, police said.
Credit: Polk County Sheriff's Office
Credit: Polk County Sheriff's Office
Christopher Shane Smith, a high-ranking member of the Aryan Brotherhood, was taken into custody Thursday, police said. Officials said Smith had just been released from prison July 15 after serving time for aggravated assault and burglary.
His girlfriend, Amanda Lynn Dempsey, and another woman, Debra Lynne Dempsey, were also arrested. Amanda Dempsey is a self-proclaimed member of the Aryan Brotherhood, police said.
Both women were taken into custody when SWAT teams from Floyd and Polk counties executed a search warrant at a home on Formby Trail in Aragon, police said. Investigators found more than a pound of meth, along with items related to white supremacist gang activity and multiple firearms. Two of the guns had previously been reported stolen, investigators said.
Credit: Floyd County Sheriff's Office
Credit: Floyd County Sheriff's Office
Police on Monday arrested Chad Carver Garrison and Jennifer Fowler Garrison at a home on Eden Drive in Rome. Investigators found more drugs and firearms and other items “indicative of illegal drug distribution,” police said.
Credit: Rome Police Department
Credit: Rome Police Department
The others arrested in the investigation are: Charles Logan Willis Sr.; Chassity Brianna Cronan; Nancie Camilla Hodges of Rockmart; Joshua Lewis Owens of Rockmart; Natasha Hope Emmett of Rockmart; Danny Glynn Dorris of Aragon; Ricky Lee Bradford of Aragon; Jason Michael Moore of Aragon; Gary Franklin Owens of Rockmart; Johnny Shane Estes of Rockmart; Kayla Lasha Smith of Rockmart; Pagan Elaine Nails of Rockmart; Jimmy Carlton Spencer of Rockmart; Justin Dean Bullard of Rockmart; and Cecily Grace Summerville of Rockmart.
Each faces multiple charges, including trafficking methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess schedule II narcotics, possession of firearms by convicted felons, possession of firearms during the commission of a crime, illegal participation in criminal street gang activity, and use of a telecommunications device to facilitate drug transactions.
The case is still ongoing, and police anticipate more arrests.
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