Deputies and detectives make arrests in drug cases, a shooting, and other investigations

The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests and investigations:

On March 5, 2020, detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division received a report of a sexual assault. Detectives were advised that a 13-year-old female juvenile had been sexually assaulted over a period of time. An investigation into the incident determined that Michael Rashad Wallace, age 28 of Milledgeville, was the offender. As a result of the investigation Wallace was arrested and charged with Child Molestation, Sodomy and Electronically Furnishing Obscene Material to Minors. Wallace was arrested on April 29 and booked into the Coffee County Jail. He made an appearance before the Magistrate Judge and his bond was denied. He is currently being held in the Coffee County Jail awaiting future court appearances.

On May 4, 2020, a report for Theft by Taking of a Motor Vehicle was received by the Criminal Investigations Division. The theft reportedly occurred on Red Clay Road. An investigation was initiated and as a result of that investigation, Robert Allen Britton, age 43 of Douglas was arrested and charged with Theft by Taking. The vehicle was recovered and returned to its owner. Britton also had outstanding warrants for Battery-Family Violence, Burglary, Robbery by Sudden Snatching, two counts of Simple Battery- Family Violence. Britton made an appearance before the Magistrate Judge and was denied bond. He is currently in the Coffee County Jail awaiting future court appearances.

On May 12, 2020, a burglary in the Green Acres Community was reported to the Criminal Investigations Division. As a result of that investigation, detectives were able to determine that Michael Anthony Robitaille, age 37 of Douglas was arrested and charged with Burglary in the Second Degree. Robitaille also had a Probation Warrant active for his arrest.  He appeared before the Magistrate Judge and was denied bond. He is currently in the Coffee County Jail awaiting future court appearances. Most of the items listed in the report were later recovered and returned to the owner.

On June 7, 2020, deputies were dispatched to the Dollar General store in Ambrose about a shooting. Deputies contacted a female subject at this location that stated her vehicle had been shot numerous times by her ex-boyfriend at another location. The female subject advised that she along with a friend was inside the vehicle when it was shot.  The other individual sustained minor injuries to her ear because of the shooting. Emergency Medical Services arrived at the location and treated the victim. Deputies and detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division located the offender at a residence on Cypress Street in Ambrose. While investigating the incident it was determined that there were two offenders involved in the incident. Officers recovered two firearms at the location. As a result, Tyler Aryn Cauley, age 23 of Ambrose and Stanly Kenneth Veal, age 33, also of Ambrose was arrested for two counts each of Aggravated Assault and transported to the Coffee County Jail.  Both offenders have appeared before the Magistrate Judge and were denied bond. They are both currently being held in the Coffee County Jail awaiting future court appearances.

On June 11, 2020, deputies with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a possible theft around area of Satilla River Hills. As a result of the investigation, Bob Jerome Jewell Jr., age 37, of Douglas and Richard Shannon Jewell, age 47 also of Douglas, were arrested and charged with Theft by Taking. Both individuals were transported to the Coffee County Jail. They have both appeared before the Magistrate Judge and were granted property bonds.

On June 15, 2020, deputies with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to 115 Sand Street in the Oak Park area about a burglary. The complainant at the location came home to find someone had made forced entry into his home through the back door. There were various items that were taking from the residence including two televisions. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division were notified and began an investigation. This investigation has led to the arrest of Senie Benefield Sr., age 59 of Douglas for Theft by Receiving Stolen Property. Benefield appeared before the Magistrate Judge and was granted a Property Bond. This investigation is ongoing and if anyone has any information regarding this incident, please contact the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.

Coffee County Drug Unit and K-9 Officers have been busy working throughout Coffee County to remove those possessing drugs and illegally possessing firearms.

On June 5, 2020, A K-9 officer conducted a traffic stop at 101 East Baker Hwy for a window tint violation. As a result of that traffic stop Travis Cain Sullivan, age 23, Manchester Kentucky, was arrested and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Probation Violation. James Wesley McDermitt,, age 25 of Ambrose,  a passenger in the vehicle, was also found to be in possession of Methamphetamine and Marijuana. McDermitt was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful for any person to Purchase, Possess, or Have Under his control any kind of Controlled Substance, Possession and Use of Drug Related Objects and Probation Violation. Both were transported to the Coffee County Jail. Both have been denied bond and are currently incarcerated at the Coffee County Jail awaiting court further appearances.  

On June 16, 2020, a Coffee County drug detective was working in the Green Acres area due to reported drug activity. The observed a Red Ford Explorer that had been seen on a prior date parked in an area that reported drug activity occurring. The driver of the vehicle appeared to be a person that the detective knew to be a drug user and he was also aware that the individuals license was suspended. The detective parked his vehicle and began surveillance on the suspect vehicle. The vehicle made a quick turn onto a side road and accelerated speed and then drove off the shoulder of the road. The detective attempted to initiate a stop and a short chase ensued. The vehicle came to a quick stop and the driver exited the vehicle and began to walk away. The driver was taken into custody without any further incident. The detective identified the driver as William Shannon Chaney, age 45 of a Mossy Oak Road address. An amount of methamphetamine and a pipe were recovered laying on the ground just outside the driver door. A search of the vehicle resulted in locating marijuana. Chaney was taking into custody and transported to the Coffee County Jail. He has been charged with Possession of Marijuana, Driving While License Suspended, Possession and Use of Drug Related Objects, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Willful Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officer. Chaney appeared before the Magistrate and his bond has been denied.  He is currently in the Coffee County Jail awaiting further court appearances.

On June 17, 2020, A Coffee County K-9 officer was patrolling in the Green Acres area when he observed a green Range Rover fail to come to a complete stop at a stop sign located at Jasmine Road and Ramblewood Road. A traffic stop was initiated. After the driver gave permission a search was conducted of the vehicle. A .22 caliber handgun was in a cereal box inside the vehicle. A male subject identified as Anthony Droll, age 28, of Douglas, was seated in the back seat behind the driver. A handgun was found in the cargo area directly behind Droll. After interviewing other occupants of the vehicle, it was determined that Droll had been in Possession of the Firearm. It was also determined that Droll was a convicted felon. A check of the firearm at that time did not show it to be stolen; however a report was later filed about the theft of this firearm. Droll was arrested and transported to the Coffee County Jail. He appeared before the Magistrate Judge and was denied bond. He is currently in the Coffee County Jail awaiting future court appearances.

On June 17, 2020, a drug detective and K-9 Officers were requested to assist Clinch County detectives with locating an individual they had active warrants on. The subject was identified as Anthony Scott Inman. Inman was located at 60 Spring Oak Street in front of an apartment. Inman was taken into custody. Inman gave officers permission to search his residence. As a result of that search a substance suspected to be methamphetamine was located inside the residence. Inman was transported to the Coffee County Jail. Inman was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and was granted a Property Bond by the Magistrate; however, Clinch County still has possible charges on Inman so he remains incarcerated in the Coffee County Jail.

Coffee County Sheriff Doyle Wooten states he appreciates the hard work of his department and officers to make Coffee County a safer community for our citizens and adds that we will continue to strive to continue to work hard to rid our county of those who want to sell drugs, assault our citizens and steal from the hard working community of this county.