Big meth sting nets 29 arrests

Published 11:23 pm Friday, December 5, 2014

A two-year “major” undercover investigation targeting “high level” methamphetamine distributors in the Dalton-Whitfield County area by the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration has resulted in 29 arrests and arrest warrants issued for at least 30 additional suspects.

Three main traffickers were identified during the investigation, which are believed to be responsible distributing more than 500 pounds of meth in the area over the last two years.

“These individuals would distribute the drug to their dealers, who in turn would sell the methamphetamine to others,” Whitfield County Sheriff Scott Chitwood said in a press release. “We determined the methamphetamine was coming to Dalton, from Mexico, by way of Atlanta.”

During the investigation, more than $250,000 in assets were seized including a house in Athens, Tenn. Investigators also seized 13 guns, 10 vehicles and more than $72,000 in cash.

In all, 29 individuals have been arrested for violating the Georgia Controlled Substance Act and for other charges as a result of the investigation. Arrest warrants have been issued for at least 30 additional suspects on similar charges

Some of the suspects will be charged in superior court and others will be charged in federal court. The three main distributors in this area were identified as

• Luis Rendon Jr., 39, Mount Vernon Road, Tunnel Hill.

• Rafael Segovia-Pineda, 36, West Tyler Street, Dalton.

• Adrian Melecio Trinidad, 38, Chatsworth.

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Those arrested in the meth bust are:

• Priscilla Maria Ash, 26, 1524 Margaret Circle, Dalton, was charged with attempt or conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act and the use of a communication facility to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

• Nicholas Carl Burns, 34, 1048 Cavender Road, Dalton, was charged with obstruction of officer by threat/violence.

• Lucino Castillo, 37, 271 Wayne Way, Dalton, was charged with conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act and use of a communication facility to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

• Justin Glenn Elrod, 33, 3177 Rauschenberg Road, Dalton, was charged with attempt or conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act, possession to distribute meth and use of a communication facility to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

• Harold Francis Gallimore Jr., 50, 25430 Highway 114 N. Bruceton, Tenn., was charged with possession of meth and possession of a Schedule 2 drug (hydrocodone).

• Ronald “Frankie” Henderson, 40, 4516 Crest Way, Cohutta, was charged with trafficking in meth.

• Jason Bryan Hulsey, 36, 112 Mallory Drive-B, Dalton, was charged with conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

• David Clingom Ledford, 56, 554 Sagamore Drive, Tunnel Hill, was charged with the sale of meth and attempt or conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

• Jossue Cravallo Martinez, 36, 107 Hill Circle, Dalton, was charged with conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act and use of a communication facility to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

• Juan Montelongo, 59, 200 Hill Road, Dalton, was charged with conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

• Brandon Lee Pinson, 29, 1524 Margaret Circle-1, Dalton, was charged with conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act and use of a communication facility to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

• James Mark Pratt, 44, 56 Acorn Drive, Chatsworth, was charged with trafficking in and sales of meth.

• Rafael Quintero, 33, 605 Deer Trail, was charged with conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

• Misty Dawn Rackley, 33, 1100 Ben Hill Road, Dalton, was charged with trafficking in meth.

• Luis Rendon Jr., 39, Mount Vernon Road, Tunnel Hill, was charged with conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act and use of a communication facility to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

• Ramon Rodriguez Jr., 34, 501 McCharles St., Dalton, was charged with violating the Georgia Controlled Substance Act and use of a communication facility to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

• Christopher Lamar Rogers, 44, 205 Hardin Road, Chatsworth, was charged with possession to distribute meth and possession of meth.

• Ricardo Salgado, 35, 205 Ina Drive, Rocky Face, was charged with conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act and use of a communication facility to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

• Rafael Segovia-Pineda, 36, West Tyler Street, Dalton, was charged with conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act and use of a communication facility to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

• Beth Megan Stanley, 27, 1048 Cavender Road, Dalton, was charged with obstruction of officer by threat/violence.

• Joshua Bryan Swinney, 24, 1433 Walker Road, Chatsworth, was charged with attempt or conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

• Adrian Melecio Trinidad, 38, 121 New Hope Road, Chatsworth, was charged with conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act and use of a communication facility to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

• Miguel Angel Velasquez, 20, 1614 Waring Road, Dalton, was charged with conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

• Megan Rose Wally, 23, 1614 Waring Road, Dalton, was charged with conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act and the use of a communication facility to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

• Lauren Taylor Lynn Wasserman, 20, 5367 Old Federal Road, Chatsworth, was charged with attempt or conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.

• Leslie Scott Webb, 60, 1200 Palomino Road, Jefferson, Colo., was charged with trafficking in meth.

• Rebecca Faye Williams, 29, 4349 Bass McHan Drive, Dalton, was charged with trafficking in meth.

• Matthew Gideon York , 40, 720 Davis Road, Blue Ridge, was charged with trafficking in meth.

• Michelle Zell, 27, 2165 Arnold St., Cleveland, Tenn., was charged with conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act, use of a communication facility to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act and possession of a Schedule 2 drug (hydrocodone).