Officials with the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit (DCDU) reported Thursday that the mother of a four-year-old was arrested recently after she took her child with her to conduct a drug transaction in a public parking lot.
Authorities say Isabella Taft was one of three indivduals jailed Monday, June 29, after officers intercepted a cocaine delivery in the K-Mart parking lot in Douglas. Detectives stated Taft had the child with her during the drug deal and they subsequently contacted the Department of Family and Children Services. The child was later turned over to a family member who had responded to the scene.
Also arrested during the incident were two individuals identified as Chris Johnson and Dulce Vivar.
DCDU investigators also reported the following arrests for the month of June:
June 20 – K-9 officers stopped a vehicle on Cherry St. at College Ave. in Douglas for a traffic violation. During the course of the traffic stop, officers discovered marijuana and cocaine. Whitley Strickland was arrested for misdemeanor possession of marijuana and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
June 24 – K-9 officers stopped a vehicle on Bowens Mill Rd. at Ga. Hwy. 32 E. in Douglas for a traffic violation. During the course of the traffic stop, officers located a quantity of methamphetamine. Heather Burkett was arrested for possession of methamphetamine.
June 25 – Coffee County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped with two pedestrians on Walker St. at Chester Ave. in Douglas. During the course of the encounter, deputies discovered one of the pedestrians had a quantity of methamphetamine and two separate types of scheduled controlled substances in his possession; deputies notified DCDU. Johnny Miller was arrested for misdemeanor possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a schedule II controlled substance (pain pills), and possession of a schedule IV controlled substance (Xanax).
June 25 – DCDU and GBI – Southeastern Regional Drug Enforcement Office agents executed a search warrant at 922 Pine St. in Nicholls following an investigation. As detectives made entry into the home, they discovered the resident was actively cooking crack cocaine and had finished cooking ½ ounce of crack cocaine before detectives arrived. Willie James McKinnon was arrested for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; detectives also seized $1885.00 cash and recovered monies used in earlier undercover operations.
Following the search warrant, Douglas – Coffee HEAT officers stopped a vehicle on N. College Ave. in Douglas for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, officers discovered a small quantity of methamphetamine within the vehicle; officers notified DCDU. David Anthony Salyers and Marina Mattea Harper were both arrested for possession of methamphetamine. Salyers was additionally charged with a window tint violation, driving without a license, and failure to signal when changing lanes.
June 27 – CCSO deputies stopped a vehicle on U.S. Hwy. 221 at Julian Minchew Rd. for passing vehicles in a no-passing zone. During the traffic stop, deputies discovered the driver to illegally be in possession of over a dozen pain pills; DCDU was notified. Grant Moore was arrested for possession of a schedule II controlled substance.
June 27 – The Georgia State Patrol stopped a vehicle on S. Peterson Ave. in Douglas for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, troopers and assisting CCSO deputies discovered a .22 caliber handgun in the vehicle, and cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana, and methamphetamine on the ground beneath the doors of the vehicle; DCDU was notified. Quentin Gilbert and Santonia Young were arrested for possession of cocaine, possession of ecstasy, possession of marijuana, and possession of methamphetamine. Gilbert was additionally charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and abandonment of a controlled substance after he dropped the drugs onto the ground as he exited his vehicle during the traffic stop.
