A pair of thwarted contraband drops in recent days has led to the arrest of four individuals.
First, on Wednesday, October 11, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of an ongoing contraband drop at the Washington State Prison in Davisboro.
Quickly responding correctional officers were able to intercept this drop.
While patrolling the area near the prison in the ensuing hours, Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies identified a “suspicious vehicle” on Sparta Davisboro Road and initiated a traffic stop.
During the course of an investigation, alleged evidence in the form of a drone and additional possible contraband was discovered in the automobile.
Roswell Sutton, age 35, of Riverdale and Yantay Kar, age 34, of Newark, New Jersey were arrested.
Sutton and Kar were charged with felony possession of a schedule II drug, felony possession of a schedule II drug with the intent to distribute, felony trading with inmates, felony possession of marijuana, felony possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, felony crossing of guard lines with drugs, and felony possession of items prohibited by inmates.
Sutton was also charged with failure to maintain lane, driving with an expired tag, and a safety belt violation.
Three days later at nearly midnight on Saturday, October 14, an additional on-patrol Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted another drone hovering in the area of the Washington State Prison.
A stemming search in the direction of the drone revealed an abandoned vehicle off of Francis Bridge Road.
Hours later, deputies would initiate a traffic stop on the automobile on Brown Drive.
A brief investigation determined that the vehicle occupants were allegedly involved in the earlier illegal activity at the Washington State Prison, as it discovered illegal drugs, contraband, a drone, and a weapon.
Marcus Alexander Williams, age 47, of Decatur and Ta’hking Hale, age 31, of Clarkston were arrested.
Williams and Hale were charged with felony possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, felony possession of items prohibited by inmates, felony crossing of guard lines with weapons, intoxicants, or drugs without the consent of the warden, felony possession of marijuana, felony possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and felony trading with inmates.
Hale was also charged with felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
“I would like to thank my staff and the Georgia Department of Corrections for their great working relationship that helps to keep this county safe,” said Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran. “Deputies and GDC staff will continue their work as we vigilantly monitor this type of behavior at the Washington State Prison.”
There have been 12 reported cases involving individuals allegedly attempting to smuggle contraband into the Washington State Prison this year. 32 arrests have resulted from these incidents.
