The Coffee County Drug Unit announces the following recent drug-related arrests:
Jan 30 – A Coffee County K9 deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on a vehicle around 6:30 p.m. for an improper turn in the Baker Highway area. The vehicle failed to yield to the deputy and turned onto Kennedy Circle. At this point, the vehicle suddenly stopped and the rear passenger, later identified as Deqwavious Deshawn Hawkins, exited and led officers on a foot chase. Officers pursued Hawkins and were able to corner him inside an area residence. A search of the home was conducted, and Hawkins was found hiding under a couch. He was taken into custody for an active probation warrant, and was additionally cited for obstruction of a law enforcement officer. Hawkins also faces additional charges of possession of cocaine and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (illicit prescription medication).
Jan. 31 – Coffee County drug agents observed a silver Ford Mustang driving erratically on Bowens Mill Highway around 1 p.m. As agents continued to follow the vehicle, it turned onto Kellog Drive and suddenly accelerated, passing a vehicle in a no passing zone and nearly colliding with oncoming traffic. The agents attempted to catch up to the vehicle and observed it enter the Fleetwood Homes parking lot. As agents attempted to make contact with the driver, they detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. As the driver, identified as Justo Jesus Padilla, opened the door, the odor of marijuana became stronger. Officers subsequently discovered quantities of marijuana, ecstasy, open containers, and other drug paraphernalia. Padilla was arrested and transported to the Coffee County Jail. He faces charges of possession marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of ecstasy with intent to distribute.
Feb. 1 – Around 5 p.m., a Coffee County K9 deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a broken taillight on Bowens Mill Highway near the overpass. After a brief investigation, a search of the vehicle and its occupants was conducted. It was discovered that a male passenger, identified as Earl James Knowles, had convinced the female passenger, identified as Dana Hersey Washburn, to conceal a large quantity of methamphetamine. Both occupants were transported to the Coffee County Jail, where the suspected methamphetamine was recovered. Knowles and Washburn each face charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Knowles is currently on bond for a previous charge of possession of methamphetamine.
Feb. 2 – Around 9 p.m., the Douglas Police Department attempted to make contact with a suspicious vehicle at Roundtree Park. As the officer approached the vehicle, one unidentified subject ran on foot and the vehicle left the area; the officers did not give chase at that time. An officer later located the vehicle and discovered the registered owner was suspected to have an active arrest warrant. A traffic stop was conducted to investigate, and the driver failed to yield to officers, eventually pulling into a residence, where a passenger, identified as James Earl Wilcox, exited and led officers on a brief foot pursuit.
Officers located Wilcox, along with quantities of several drugs close by. The driver, Douglas Wells, was arrested at the scene and both men face numerous charges.
Police officers charged Wells with fleeing/attempting to elude, driving while unlicensed, failure to maintain lane, failure to stop at a stop sign, and open container in vehicle. Wilcox was charged with open container and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
The Coffee County Drug Unit was called to assist. An investigation was conducted, and Wells will face charges including possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of crack cocaine, and possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance.
Wilcox faces charges including possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of crack cocaine, and possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance.