Sheriff: Major Houston County Drug Dealer Arrested, Family Speaks Out
KATHLEEN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Houston County Sheriff Cullen Talton describes Andrew Martin Holiday as one of the "biggest drug dealers in Houston County" and now he's off the streets.
Holiday, 40, of Kathleen and seven other people were arrested after a three-month long joint investigation between the Houston County Sheriff's Office, the Warner Robins Police Department and the Houston County District Attorney's Office. One of the suspects, Frank Fountain, worked as an officer at the Eastman Youth Regional Detention Center. Authorities believe the marijuana was grown at Fountain's home in Kathleen.
Holiday is the alleged ringleader of this operation. Talton described the operations as an elaborate network of pit bull dog fighting, gambling and drug trafficking. Holiday is charged with trafficking methamphetamines. On January 10, authorities seized methamphetamines, cocaine, 28 marijuana plants, 15 rifles and shot guns, 13 dogs and more than $60,000.
But the Holiday family is in disbelief. Rosa Nelson, Frank Fountain's mother and Andrew Holiday's sister, said she has no idea how her family ended up at the center of a drug bust. Nelson lives right next door to Andrew and said she never suspected anything.
"We do not operate drugs," Nelson said, "we were not brought up to operate drugs."
As for her son Frank, the officer at the YDC, Nelson is standing by his side.
"I think he just got caught up in it," Nelson said, "cause Frank he's a good child."
When asked about the dog fighting, Nelson said her family owns several dogs and would never hurt them.
"We love animals," she said, "my son breeds dogs."
The dogs that were confiscated during the searches are now are being held at the Warner Robins Animal Shelter. The other items seized included pressure washers, 13 four wheeler ATVs, flat screen televisions, and fighting dog training equipment. Authorities issued search warrants at locations in Kathleen, Bonaire, and Centerville. Arrested were David Baker, 31 of Kathleen; Brittney Baldwin, 22 of Centerville; Heather Moore, 27 of Centerville; Eric McIntyre, 36 of Bryon; Johnathan Widdon, 24 of Byron; Alonzo Wheeler, 40 of Bonaire; Frank Fountain, 37 of Kathleen; and Andrew Holiday, 40 of Kathleen. Jon Holland, the Houston County Sheriff's Office Chief Investigator, stated the majority of the operation was near West Houston Drive and Milton Court in Kathleen.
The suspects are currently being held in the Houston County LEC. Houston County District Attorney George Hartwig said they could face additional charges.
