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The Champion Legal Section, Thursday, May 14, 2015
Page 5C
By: Rita B. Lewis
Georgia Bar No. 387627
Assistant District Attorney
Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit
556 N. McDonough Street, Suite 700
Decatur, Georgia 30030-3355
Email: rblewis@dekalbcountyga.gov
Main Office: (404) 371-2561
Fax: (404) 371-2981
050-372598 5/14,5/21,5/28wg
In re: APPROXIMATELY
7.2 POUNDS OF
METHAMPHETAMINE; etal.
NOTICE OF SEIZURE
OF PERSONAL
PROPERTY VALUED AT
$25,000.00 OR LESS
TO: ALL PERSONS CLAIMING AN
INTEREST IN PROPERTY DE
SCRIBED BELOW
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 16-13-49(n),
you are hereby notified that on March
13, 2015, the property described be
low was seized at 1160 Moreland Av
enue, DeKalb County, Georgia by
Detective M. C. Wade of the DeKalb
County Police Department:
1. Approximately 7.2 pounds of
methamphetamine; and
2. One thousand one hundred ten
dollars ($1,110.00) in U.S. Currency.
Conduct giving rise to said seizure
was as follows:
Said property:
a. was directly or indirectly used or in
tended for use to facilitate a violation
of the Georgia Controlled Sub
stances Act, O.C.G.A. § 16-13-30,
more specifically, the possession,
distribution, sale, or delivery of
methamphetamine.
b. was found in close proximity to
said methamphetamine; or
c. represents proceeds derived or
realized from said violation(s) of the
Georgia Controlled Substances Act.
During the month of March, 2015,
DeKalb County Narcotics Unit re
ceived information from a Cooperat
ing Defendant regarding narcotic traf
ficking at 2447 Baywood Drive, At
lanta. They were advised that a His
panic male driving, a dark grey
Honda or Toyota, was transporting
large amounts of methamphetamine
between Fulton County and DeKalb
County.
On March 13th, 2015, in an effort to
investigate this matter, DeKalb
County Police Department Narcotics
Unit set up surveillance at 2447 Bay-
wood Drive, Atlanta. During the sur
veillance, a 2011 grey Toyota Camry
bearing Ca. tag 7AVK613 was ob
served parked in the carport. While
surveilancing the location, the
DeKalb County Narcotics Detectives
observed the Camry leaving the loca
tion, at which time they began con
ducting mobile surveillance and
eventually followed the vehicle out of
Fulton County into DeKalb County.
As the Camry traveled on Custer
Road near Moreland Ave, the Camry
was observed making an improper
turn, by failing to use the left turn sig
nal as he turned onto Moreland Av
enue. South Uniform Officers conduc
ted a traffic stop on the Camry at Mo
reland Ave near Eastland Dr. Upon
making contact with the driver, who
was later positively identified as ++AI-
fredo Calderon-Zamora (a.k.a.
Manuel Ramirez),++ He was advised
of the reason for the traffic stop and
asked if he would consent to a
search of his vehicle, at which time
He advised the Officers that he did
not speak English. While the Officers
was writing the citation, K-9 Officer
Carrigan responded to the location
and conducted and open air sniff of
the exterior of the vehicle, which res
ulted in a positive alert on the exteri
or of the Camry. Due to this positive
alert, the K-9 conducted a sniff in the
interior of the vehicle, which resulted
in a positive hit on the rear passen
ger’s floor board of the vehicle. Upon
the Detective conducting a search of
the vehicle, He located a black back
pack, on the front passenger’s floor
board, containing three large plastic
containers which contained a total of
7.2 pounds of Methamphetamine.
The three containers were wrapped
with a thin layer of plastic wrap. At
that time, Ramirez was arrested and
upon searching him, incident to his
arrest, an undetermined amount of
U.S. Currency was located on his
person.
Calderon-Zamora was arrested and
transported to DeKalb County Jail.
The U.S. currency was transported to
BB&T Bank where it was counted by
an employee and determined to be
$1,110.00. The currency was then
deposited in an account at the bank.
Calderon-Zamora was charged with
Violation of the Georgia Controlled
Substances Act. The methamphet
amine is subject to forfeiture pursu
ant to O.C.G.A. § 16-13-49(d)(1). The
currency is subject to forfeiture pursu
ant to O.C.G.A. § 16-1349(d)(2) and
(d)(6).
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 16-13-
49(n)(3), any claim to the seized
property must be sent within thirty
days to the seizing law enforcement
agency AND to Assistant District At
torney, Rita B. Lewis, by certified
mail, return receipt requested.
Robert D. James
(Ga. Bar No. 389148)
District Attorney
Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit
By: Rita B. Lewis
Georgia Bar No. 387627
Assistant District Attorney
Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit
556 N. McDonough Street, Suite 700
Decatur, Georgia 30030-3355
Email: rblewis@dekalbcountyga.gov
Main Office: (404) 371-2561
Fax: (404) 371-2981
050-372599 5/14,5/21,5/28,6/7wg
In re: APPROXIMATELY
850 GRAMS OF
METHAMPHETAMINE; etal.
NOTICE OF SEIZURE
OF PERSONAL
PROPERTY VALUED AT
$25,000.00 OR LESS
TO: ALL PERSONS CLAIMING AN
INTEREST IN PROPERTY DE
SCRIBED BELOW
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 16-13-49(n),
you are hereby notified that on March
14, 2015, the property described be
low was seized at 2701 Moreland Av
enue, DeKalb County, Georgia by
Detective M. C. Wade of the DeKalb
County Police Department:
1. Approximately 850 grams of
methamphetamine; and
2. 2003 GMC Envoy, VIN#
1GKDT13S932371568.
Conduct giving rise to said seizure
was as follows:
Said property:
a. was directly or indirectly used or in
tended for use to facilitate a violation
of the Georgia Controlled Sub
stances Act, O.C.G.A. § 16-13-30,
more specifically, the possession,
distribution, sale, or delivery of
methamphetamine.
b. was found in close proximity to
said methamphetamine; or
c. represents proceeds derived or
realized from said violation(s) of the
Georgia Controlled Substances Act.
More specifically, on March 14, 2015,
Detective Viar of the DeKalb County
K-9 Unit was traveling south bound
on Moreland Ave, unincorporated
DeKalb County, when he observed a
Red GMC Envoy speeding. Upon ob
serving the tag, he ran it on NCIC,
which showed the registered owner
to be unlicensed. He got behind the
vehicle and paced it for approxim
ately half a mile traveling at 52 MPH
in a 45 mph. The vehicle's speed
fluctuated between 52 and 55 MPH
during the half mile pace. Due to this
traffic infraction, Officer Viar activ
ated his emergency equipment in an
attempt to conduct a traffic stop on
the vehicle. Upon the Officer activat
ing his emergency lights, the vehicle
immediately accelerated and attemp
ted to pass traffic, as if he was trying
to elude the police; however, the
vehicle was hindered from passing
due to the traffic and the median in
the roadway. The vehicle then made
an erratic lane change to the right
and pulled into the parking lot of 2701
Moreland Ave., at which time the
passenger jumped out of the moving
vehicle and fled deep into the FedEx
complex. The driver, who was identi
fied as Angel Guzman Barrios, at
tempted to jump out of the vehicle;
however, Detective Viar took him in
to custody. The passenger, who was
identified as Freddy Robledo, was
apprehended by Sgt. J.C. Pitts in the
Landfill next to 2701 Moreland Ave.
Detective Viar had his K-9 to con
duct an open air sniff of the exterior
of the vehicle, which alerted to the
presence of illegal drugs at the driver
side rear door. Upon the K-9 sniffing
the interior of the vehicle, the K-9
BAK alerted to the front passenger
floor board. Due to these alerts, De
tective Viar conducted a search of
the vehicle, which resulted in 850
grams of Methamphetamine being
located concealed in two Tupper-
ware containers located on the front
passenger floor board.
++Barrios and Robledo++ were ar
rested and transported to DeKalb
County Jail. The vehicle was towed
to the DeKalb County Narcotics se
cured lot for processing and further
forfeiture proceedings
Barrios and Robledo were charged
with Violation of the Georgia Con
trolled Substances Act. The
methamphetamine is subject to for
feiture pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 16-13-
49(d)(1). The vehicle is subject to for
feiture pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 16-13-
49(d)(2), (d)(3) and (d)(6).
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 16-13-
49(n)(3), any claim to the seized
property must be sent within thirty
days to the seizing law enforcement
agency AND to Assistant District At
torney, Rita B. Lewis, by certified
mail, return receipt requested.
Robert D. James
(Ga. Bar No. 389148)
District Attorney
Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit
By: Rita B. Lewis
Georgia Bar No. 387627
Assistant District Attorney
Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit
556 N. McDonough Street, Suite 700
Decatur, Georgia 30030-3355
Email: rblewis@dekalbcountyga.gov
Main Office: (404) 371-2561
Fax: (404) 371-2981
050-372600 5/14,5/21,5/28wg
In re: APPROXIMATELY
11 MARIJUANA PLANTS
(2.8 POUNDS);
APPROXIMATELY
.529 POUNDS OF LOOSE
MARIJUANA;
APPROXIMATELY SEVERAL
MARIJUANA SEEDS; etal.
NOTICE OF SEIZURE
OF PERSONAL
PROPERTY VALUED AT
$25,000.00 OR LESS
TO: ALL PERSONS CLAIMING AN
INTEREST IN PROPERTY DE
SCRIBED BELOW
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 16-13-49(n),
you are hereby notified that on March
18, 2015, the property described be
low was seized at 1403 Midview
Drive, DeKalb County, Georgia by
Detective E. J. Bess of the DeKalb
County Police Department:
1. Approximately 11 marijuana plants
(2.8 pounds); and
2. Approximately .529 pounds of
marijuana; and
3. Approximately several marijuana
seeds; and
4. One thousand sixty two dollars
($1,062.00) in U.S. Currency; and
5. Sun System Electronic Ballast,
SER# 1206200917003882; and
6. Lamatek, Electronic Ballast, SER#
12-07-041353; and
7. (4) Heat lamp; and
8. HVAV with tubing; and
9. Lasko fan; and
10. Vortex power fan; and
11. (2) Fan.
Conduct giving rise to said seizure
was as follows:
Said property:
a. was directly or indirectly used or in
tended for use to facilitate a violation
of the Georgia Controlled Sub
stances Act, O.C.G.A. § 16-13-30,
more specifically, the possession,
distribution, sale, or delivery of
marijuana plants, loose marijuana
and marijuana seeds.
b. was found in close proximity to
said marijuana plants, loose
marijuana and marijuana seeds; or
c. represents proceeds derived or
realized from said violation(s) of the
Georgia Controlled Substances Act.
More specifically, on March 18, 2015,
Officers D. C. Findlay and G.M. Her-
tik responded to 1403 Midview Drive,
Decatur, due to a 911 call of “Trouble
Unknown.” While in route to the loca
tion, the Communications Operator
advised the Officers that there was
an open [telephone] line at the loca
tion, where there were someone
yelling in the background and a
male’s voice saying, “Help.”
Once the Officers arrived to the loca
tion, they made contact with a male,
identified as Christopher Murphy and
a female, identified as Hannah
Haislip, who came out and met the
Officers in the driveway. Both Murphy
and Haislip were sweating profusely
as if they had been in a struggle. As
Murphy was walking towards the Of
ficer, the Officer observed something
in his pocket and requested, that
Murphy keep his hands out of his
pocket, which he refused to oblige
the request. Due to the Officers con
cerns and Murphy’s failure to obey
the request, a Terry Frisk of his outer
pocket was conducted, at which time
both Murphy and Haislip became
very upset and began acting hostile
towards the Officers. They got the
couple to calm down, at which time
they advised them of the reason they
came to the residence. Murphy
began explaining that they were hav
ing a dispute over the fact that Haislip
was not watching their 2 year old aut
istic child who had wandered out of
the house and could not be found.
Haislip advised that due to the argu
ment, she called 911, but was now
advising that everything was fine.
However, due to the nature of the
call, a male yelling for help, a 2 year
old wandering out of the house and
the Officers knowing children were in
side the home, one of which was cry
ing while the Officers were outside,
Officer Hertik advised them that they
needed to check on the children to
assure that there was no one at the
location hurt or in need of help from
the Officers. This infuriated them, at
which time they began stating that
the Officers had no reason to go into
the home and that they were not go
ing to allow them in the home. After a
brief conversation with Murphy, he
agreed to lead Officer Hertik through
the house to check on the well-being
of the children or any other subject(s)
that may be inside.
Upon Officer Hertik stepping into the
residence, he immediately observed
there to be a very strong odor of
marijuana. As he was led through the
kitchen, he observed a bright light
coming from the laundry room and
noticed the door was not affixed to
the doorway. Upon looking into this
room, for rendering aid and maintain
ing safety, he observed several
marijuana plants sitting on the floor,
under a bright light. With this obser
vation, Officer Hertik then asked
Murphy, “What are those?” to which
he replied, “I grow my own veget
ables.” Officer Hertik continued to
verify that the children were safe, and
walked back out of the house with
Murphy. Officer Hertik then notified
Officer Findlay of his findings, at
which time Murphy took Officer Find
lay inside to show him the plants, at
which time Murphy was taken into
custody. Detective Bess was called
out to the scene for further narcotic
investigation.
Upon Detective Bess responding to
the location and being debriefed by
the Officers, he questioned Haislip in
regards to who the residence was be
ing leased by, at which time she ad
vised him that the lease has her and
Murphy’s name on it. Upon walking
up to the front door, with Haislip fol
lowing, he was able to observe a
strong odor of marijuana emitting
from the interior of the residence, at
which time he inquired if any of the
children were still in the residence, at
which time she advised that her 10
year old was still sleep. She was ad
vised that it was okay to awake him
and prepare him for school, and was
also informed of the Officers findings
and that a search warrant was going
to be obtained and executed. Due to
Haislik advising that she too resides
in the home, to maintain the integrity
of the preliminary findings, Detective
Bess walked through the residence
with Haislip as she went to the room
her son was sleeping in. As they
walked to the dining area, near the
kitchen, Detective Bess, while stand
ing in the dining room, was able to
observe the marijuana plants that
were located in the laundry room.
After Haislip got her son up and out
of the residence, she advised she
needed to go into the kitchen to make
bottles for her baby. Upon walking in
to the kitchen, Detective Bess ob
served her opening the freezer then
closing it very fast, without getting
anything out of it. Haislip began to in
quire about the search warrant pro
cess, at which time she was advised
of the process and was told that one
was being obtained due to the belief
that there may be more illegal drugs
in the residence. She began crying
and then pointed to the laundry room
and said, “That’s all the marijuana
that’s here, plus we got some in the
bedroom.” Ms. Haislip then said, “I’ll
show you,” and led Detective Bess to
the master bedroom. Upon entering
the master bedroom, she pointed to
the closet and stated “That’s it (the
marijuana). That’s all that’s in the
house.” Upon the Detective looking
into the closet, he observed there to
be three (3) very large potted
marijuana plants.
After Haislip was allowed to get all
she needed to get for the children,
she left out of the residence and went
and stood with the Officers outside.
However, while Detective Bess was
showing Detective Schofield, who re
sponded to assist with the investiga
tion, the marijuana plants that was
observed, Haislip came back into the
residence claiming that she had for
gotten something and proceeded to
walk into the kitchen as the Detect
ives followed. She then reached into
the freezer and grabbed a large bag
of marijuana and tossed it on the din
ing room table as she stated "Oh,
and this was in here too.” All the
marijuana was left in its original loca
tion, including the bag of marijuana
that she had placed on the table, and
the Detectives and Haislip all left out
of the residence until a search war
rant can be secured.
The Uniform Officers secured and sat
on the residence until Detective Bess
returned with the warrant. Upon ex
ecuting the warrant, they located 11
potted marijuana plants, located in
the laundry room and master bed
room closet, .529 pounds of loose
Marijuana, which was located under
the master bed, on the dining room
table (originally taken from the freez
er by Haislip) and several marijuana
seeds, located in the refrigerator.
They seized 2 electronic ballast,
which were located in the laundry
room and master closet, 4 heat
lamps from the laundry room and
master closet, 3 fans, located in the
laundry room and master closet, .
They also seized an HVAC filter from
the master closet, a suction fan from
the attic and an undetermined
amount of U. S. currency, located in
Murphy’s pocket.
++Christopher Murphy and Hannah
Haislip++ were arrested and trans
ported to DeKalb County Jail. The
U.S. currency was transported to
BB&T Bank where it was counted by
an employee and determined to be
$1,062.00. The currency was then
deposited in an account at the bank.
Murphy and Haislip were charged
with Violation of the Georgia Con
trolled Substances Act. The
marijuana plants, loose marijuana
and marijuana seeds are subject to
forfeiture pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 16-
1349(d)(1). The currency is subject
to forfeiture pursuant to O.C.G.A. §
164349(d)(2) and (d)(6). The
vehicle is subject to forfeiture pursu
ant to O.C.G.A. § 16-1349(d)(2),
(d)(3) and (d)(6). The weapon is sub
ject to forfeiture pursuant to O.C.G.A.
§ 16-1349(d)(4).
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 16-13-
49(n)(3), any claim to the seized
property must be sent within thirty
days to the seizing law enforcement
agency AND to Assistant District At
torney,
Rita B. Lewis, by certified mail, re
turn receipt requested.
Robert D. James
(Ga. Bar No. 389148)
District Attorney
Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit
By: Rita B. Lewis
Georgia Bar No. 387627
Assistant District Attorney
Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit
556 N. McDonough Street, Suite 700
Decatur, Georgia 30030-3355
Email: rblewis@dekalbcountyga.gov
Main Office: (404) 371-2561
Fax: (404) 371-2981
050-372601 5/14,5/21,5/28wg
In re: APPROXIMATELY
2.15 KILOGRAMS OF
METHAMPHETAMINE; etal.
NOTICE OF SEIZURE
OF PERSONAL PROPERTY
VALUED AT $25,000.00 OR LESS
TO: ALL PERSONS CLAIMING AN
INTEREST IN PROPERTY DE
SCRIBED BELOW
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 16-13-49(n),
you are hereby notified that on March
12, 2015, the property described be
low was seized during a traffic stop
on I-285 eastbound at Peachtree In
dustrial Bouelvard, DeKalb County,
Georgia by Georgia Department of
Public Safety:
1. Approximately 2.15 kilograms of
methamphetamine; and
2. 2007 Chevrolet Impala, VIN#
2G1WB58K779182487.
Conduct giving rise to said seizure
was as follows:
Said property:
a. was directly or indirectly used or in
tended for use to facilitate a violation
of the Georgia Controlled Sub
stances Act, O.C.G.A. § 16-13-30,
more specifically, the possession,
distribution, sale, or delivery of
methamphetamine.
b. was found in close proximity to
said methamphetamine; or
c. represents proceeds derived or
realized from said violation(s) of the
Georgia Controlled Substances Act.
More specifically, on March 12, 2015
at 5:42 p.m., MC02 K. Stanley was
traveling on I-285 East bound near
Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. He
had received information from Agents
on a vehicle suspected to be in
volved in criminal activity. He saw the
vehicle, a silver Chevrolet Impala,
and noticed the window tint ap
peared to be too dark. He pulled the
vehicle over.
He approached on the passenger
side of the vehicle and saw a single
occupant. He made contact with oc
cupant and asked for his driver’s li
cense. The driver gave him what ap
peared to be a fake Mexican driver’s
license. He asked him if he had a
Georgia license and he replied no.
He approached the driver side and
asked if he would roll the window up
so he could test his window tint. He
noticed while speaking to him, he
kept reaching for his right pocket. He
had him get out of the vehicle. He
asked if he had any weapons and he
reached for his left pocket. He de
cided to place the suspect in hand
cuffs. He had a cuff on his left arm
and was reaching for his right arm,
when the suspect suddenly pulled his
right arm away. He grabbed for his
right arm and pressed him against
the vehicle. The suspect tensed up
and tried turning towards him. He
maintained his grip on the suspect
and warned if he did not stop resist
ing he would be teased. The suspect
still remained tense. He felt him
loosen his tension, and he quickly put
the suspect’s right right arm behind
his back and placed him into hand
cuffs. He tried to move the suspect to
the rear of the vehicle at which time
the suspect tried to pull away. He dir
ected the suspect’s movement and
put him against the rear of the Chev
rolet. The suspect then stopped res
isting.
TFC Anthony Munoz arrived on
scene. The suspect was placed in
TFC Munoz’s patrol
vehicle. TFC Munoz used a finger
print scanner and determined the
suspect’s name was ++Ramon Gar-
cia++ DOB May 24, 1980. TFC Mi
chael Allen arrived on scene. MC02
Stanley tested the vehicle inventory,
TFC Allen and TFC Munoz noticed
signs of an aftermarket compartment
in the vehicle. Sgt. Chapeau arrived
on scene. Upon further examination,
the vehicle console was held in place
by an aftermarket electronic latch.
After removing the center console, an
opening into a natural void was loc
ated. Inside the area, four clear bags
containing suspected narcotics were
located.
Drug Enforcement Administration
Agents had arrived on scene. The
suspected narcotics and two cellular
phones were released to Agents for
investigation. The vehicle inventory
was completed and the vehicle was
towed to Brown and Brown. A hold
was placed on the vehicle for pos
sible forfeiture. TFC Munoz transpor
ted Mr. Garcia to the DeKalb County
Jail and released him to investigating
Agents. Garcia was issued warnings
for window tint violation and driving
while unlicensed.
Agents advised the suspected nar
cotics were tested and confirmed to
be methamphetamine. The total ap
proximate weight was 2.15 kilograms.
Further investigation into the lien
status of the vehicle revealed the li
en to be fictitious.
Garcia was charged with Violation of
the Georgia Controlled Substances
Act. The methamphetamine is sub
ject to forfeiture pursuant to O.C.G.A.
§ 16-1349(d)(1). The vehicle is sub
ject to forfeiture pursuant to O.C.G.A.
§ 16-1349(d)(2), (d)(3) and (d)(6).
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 16-13-
49(n)(3), any claim to the seized
property must be sent within thirty
days to the seizing law enforcement
agency AND to Assistant District At
torney, Rita B. Lewis, by certified
mail, return receipt requested.
Robert D. James
(Ga. Bar No. 389148)
District Attorney
Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit
By: Rita B. Lewis
Georgia Bar No. 387627
Assistant District Attorney
Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit
556 N. McDonough Street, Suite 700
Decatur, Georgia 30030-3355
Email: rblewis@dekalbcountyga.gov
Main Office: (404) 371-2561
Fax: (404) 371-2981
050-372617 5/14,5/21,5/28wg
In re: APPROXIMATELY
5.18 OUNCES
OF MARIJUANA;
APPROXIMATELY 32
XANAX PILLS; et al.
NOTICE OF SEIZURE OF
PERSONAL PROPERTY
VALUED AT
$25,000.00 OR LESS
TO: ALL PERSONS CLAIMING AN
INTEREST IN PROPERTY DE
SCRIBED BELOW
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 16-13-49(n),
you are hereby notified that on March
19, 2015, the property described be
low was seized at 3298 Lawrencville
Highway, DeKalb County, Georgia by
Detective M. D. Crews of the DeKalb
County Police Department:
1. Approximately 5.18 ounces of
marijuana; and
2. Approximately 32 Xanax Pills; and
3. Two thousand eight hundred dol
lars ($2,800.00) in U.S. Currency;
and
4. Sterling .22, SER# A103624; and
5. Hi Point.380, SER# P8034734;
and
6. Cobra FS .380, SER# FS091892;
and
7. Glass scale; and
8. Black scale; and
9. (2) Grinders with marijuana
residue; and
10. (2) Boxes of baggies.
Conduct giving rise to said seizure
was as follows:
Said property:
a. was directly or indirectly used or in
tended for use to facilitate a violation
of the Georgia Controlled Sub
stances Act, O.C.G.A. § 16-13-30,
more specifically, the possession,
distribution, sale, or delivery of
marijuana.
b. was found in close proximity to
said marijuana; or
c. represents proceeds derived or
realized from said violation(s) of the
Georgia Controlled Substances Act.
More specifically, on March 13,2015,
Officer DeJarnette, of the DeKalb
County NET Team, was working in
an undercover capacity in the area of
Lawrenceville Hwy and Cooledge Rd.
in an effort to investigate numerous il
legal narcotic complaints made by
concerned citizens. While sitting in
the parking lot of the QuikTrip gas
station, he observed a black male
wearing a white hooded jacket with
an American flag printed on it, exit
the residence located at 3298
Lawrenceville Hwy., Tucker, Ga. and
walk over to the QuikTrip gas station.
The subject walked around the park
ing lot, suspiciously, looking around
at all the gas pumps as if he was
looking for a specific person, at which
time, the Officer heard the driver of a
black Honda Civic, which was parked
next to the undercover vehicle, call
out to the subject.
The subject, who was later identified
as Justin Peterson, walked over to
the front seat passenger side of the
vehicle. The Officer observed
Peterson open the passenger door
and get in. Due to the undercover
vehicle being parked in such close
proximity to the Honda, the Officer
was able to observe Peterson give
the driver, who was later identified as
Zagar Melvin, a small plastic baggie
containing a green leafy substance
and observe Melvin give Peterson an
unknown amount of U.S. currency.
Peterson then exited the vehicle and
walked back to 3298 Lawrenceville
Hwy.
After observing this suspicious trans
action, Officer DeJarnette began fol
lowing Melvin, in the Honda Civic, as
it traveled down Northlake Parkway.
While following him, he observed that
the vehicle’s right rear brake light was
not operable, at which time he noti
fied the surrounding Officers of the
traffic infraction. Receiving this in
formation, Officers Craig and
Batchelder, conducted a traffic stop
on the Honda at Northlake Parkway
and Crescent Center Blvd, which res
ulted in 2.8 grams of marijuana,
packaged in a small baggie, being
located on Melvin (RMS Report #15-
024018).
Due to the findings of this initial un
dercover investigation, a search war
rant was granted and on March 19,
2015, DeKalb County SWAT Team
along with the North Central NET
Team and Tucker NET Team ex
ecuted the search warrant. Upon en
tering the location, the Officers made
contact with a male subject identified
as Nicholas Dawson, who was loc
ated in the living room. He was imme
diately detained. Upon the Officers
taking Dawson to the police vehicle,
while they conducted the search,
Dawson made a spontaneous utter
ance stating he knew why the Police
were at the location, and stated that
all the “work” (drugs) was at the rear
of the house. 0 He also uttered that
he had told his step son (Lee) to stop
selling at the residence because it
would get his mother caught up in
trouble.
Upon searching the location, based
on the personal items and document
that were located in each room, it
was determined that the master bed
room (referred by Officers as bed
room #1) was lived in by Dawson, the
other bedroom, (referred to as bed
room #2) was lived in by Jaquez Lee
and the dresser located in the laun
dry room was owned by Lee as well.
The entertainment room was being
lived in by Justin Peterson. Upon
conducting the search of the resid
ence, they located 5.18 ounces of