Around 5 a.m. last Thursday, May 5, the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit (DCDU), along with members of the Georgia Department of Corrections Probation-Parole, conducted a sweep of probationers and parolees who were purported to have previous and possibly current links to organized criminal activity. The action was a coordinated part of a statewide crack-down on organized criminal activity.
The Department of Corrections personnel checked for probation and parole compliance, and DCDU agents investigated any signs of ongoing drug activity.
As a result of the investigation, three probationers /parolees were arrested for violations of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.
Those arrested were:
– Kylvoski Simpson, age 34 of Douglas, (possession of methamphetamine, possession of MDMA, and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute)
– Jimmy Batten Jr., age 34 of Douglas, (possession of methamphetamine)
– Irwin Wright, age 28 of Douglas, (possession of marijuana)
Sheriff Doyle Wooten stated he wished to thank the Department of Corrections and the DCDU for a job well done. Wooten added, “Coordinated efforts that share intel such as this help curb criminal activity in the community and sends a strong message to the criminal elements that there are not just a few but many who are committed to safety and security in our community. We will continue to work cases independently as we have with a great deal of success. However, combined efforts such as this are very important in that they not only shut down drug dealers in our community, but slow the tide of criminal activity coming into our community. “
In a separate incident last Friday, May 6, agents conducted a raid at a residence on Mary St. in Douglas following extended surveillance and undercover controlled buys of marijuana. As DCDU agents approached the residence, several individuals ran from the carport area, including the focus of the investigation, Demarius Presley Jr.
After a brief foot pursuit, Presley, age 21 of Douglas, was placed into custody and charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of Alprazolam/Schedule IV controlled substance, and the sale/distribution of marijuana in violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.
DCDU Interim Commander Jack Cliett stated that such operations always come with the risk of a foot chase since the only logical manner of approach is head on.
“We expected it and had prepared for it, which allowed for the arrest of Demarius Presley, the primary suspect,” Cliett stated. “We still have a great deal of interest in the others who were present at the time of the raid and will work to identify them.”
Sheriff Wooten added the DCDU gets regular complaints regarding street level drug dealers throughout Coffee County.
“I hope that this is a clear indication that we will investigate all levels of drug activity and make arrests whenever possible,” Wooten stated.
Douglas Police Chief Gary Casteloes added he was happy to see the operation shut down inside the city. He also stateded he wished to thank the DCDU, three of whom are members of the Douglas Police Department, for their efforts to improve the quality of life for those in the City of Douglas.
The investigation continues into those individuals who were with Presley at the time of the raid.
