Sheriff: Multiple drug-related arrests made in Washington County

SANDERSVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Washington County law enforcement arrested several people on drug-related charges on Friday.

According to a news release from Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran, deputies, along with the Middle Georgia Gang Task Force, Sandersville Police, Department of Community Supervision and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, executed a search warrant at a home on Gum Street in Sandersville. Deputies say the search uncovered narcotics, leading to the arrest of 64-year-old Robert Johnson of Sandersville. Johnson was charged with three counts of selling cocaine.

The crackdown didn’t stop there. Continuing their investigations throughout the day, law enforcement arrested several more people:

• 54-year-old Howard Swint of Sandersville: Charged with two counts of selling cocaine.
• 47-year-old Donald Sutton Jr. of Sandersville: Charged with two counts of selling cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
• 30-year-old Anthony Williams of Warthen: Charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and probation violation.
• 39-year-old William Hall of Tennille: Charged with possession of cocaine, parole violation, false report of a crime, fleeing or attempting to elude, failure to obey a stop sign, and failure to maintain lane.

Photo: Washington County Sheriff’s Office

Later, deputies say they responded to reports of a vehicle stuck on a dirt road near the Davisboro prison. With the help of a Georgia Department of Corrections K9 unit, deputies say they later found contraband in the vehicle and arrested the driver, 28-year-old Danielle Mangum of Clarement. Mangum now faces charges including criminal trespass, crossing guard lines, possession of meth with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and trading with inmates.

Around lunchtime, a sheriff’s office investigator patrolling West Elder Street reported witnessing a hand-to-hand drug sale. Deputies then arrested 59-year-old Freddie Flemming and 32-year-old Justin Sutton, both of Sandersville. Flemming faces charges for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, while Sutton faces multiple charges, including possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, trafficking in cocaine and possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony.

“We’re committed to keeping drugs out of Washington County,” Sheriff Joel Cochran said in the release. “Our team, alongside our partners, is working tirelessly to stop the flow and sale of illegal substances in our community. Together, we’ll continue to fight against this threat to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents. We won’t back down.”