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Months-long investigation leads to a dozen arrests
ECSO, Rincon PD, and Guyton PD involved
Ten of 12 arrested

Special to the Herald


EFFINGHAM COUNTY -- A county-wide investigation, led by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Drug Suppression Unit, culminated with a dozen arrests and multiple search warrants, with assistance from the Rincon and Guyton police departments the ECSO reported April 17. 

This investigation spanned several months throughout the county and the Drug Suppression Unit was able to take off the streets: 12 lbs. of Marijuana, 4 lbs. of Mushrooms, 10 grams of Fentanyl, 10 grams of heroin, ½ lb. of methamphetamine, several ounces of crack and cocaine, and 10 guns worth several thousands of dollars.

Remaining two arrests
“With the number of overdoses steadily on the rise in Effingham County, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, especially our Drug Suppression Unit, will make the battle to eradicate drugs, drugs sales, and activity in our community a high priority. The time and effort put into this investigation by our Drug Suppression Unit shows that if you’re doing and selling drugs in our county, we will find you,” says Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie.

As a result of this investigation, the following people were arrested: 

·                 Michael Conaway, 41, of Guyton, was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Controlled Substance (Crack) with the Intent to Distribute.

·                 Tiffany Conaway, 40, of Guyton, was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute (Crack), and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony.

·                 Walter Edwards, 40, of Springfield, was arrested and charged with Operating an Unregistered Vehicle, Driving while License is Suspended, Possession of Cocaine, Sale of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute, and Use of Communication Facility in Commission of a Felony involving Controlled Substances.

·                 Herbert Green, 38, of Rincon, was arrested and charged with three counts of Criminal Damage to Property, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, three counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana/Mushrooms/MDMA Pills), three counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute (Marijana/Mushrooms), four counts of Aggravated Assault, Trafficking Illegal Drugs (Mushrooms), Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony and Possession of Tools for Commission a Crime.

·                 Earl Heyward, 33, of Guyton, was arrested and charged with two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Heron), Speeding, Operating an Unregistered Vehicle, and Trafficking Illegal Drugs (Heroin).

·                 Peter Johnson, 30, of Rincon, was arrested and charged with Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

·                 Marvin Kennedy, 27, of Guyton, was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana, Use of Communication Facility in Commission of a Felony involving Controlled Substances, Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute (Marijana), Sale of a Controlled Substance and two counts of Check Fraud.

·                 Alex Ling, 38, of Clyo, was arrested and charged with Sale of a Controlled Substance (Crack Cocaine), Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute (Crack), and Use of Communication Facility in Commission of a Felony involving Controlled Substances.

·                 Frank Mumford, 42, of Rincon, was arrested and charged with Seat Belt Violation, Improper U-Turn, Reckless Driving, DUI, Fleeing, Possession of a Controlled Substance, two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute, Use of Communication Facility in Commission of a Felony involving Controlled Substances, three counts of Obstruction, Battery on Law Enforcement Officer, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Parole Violation.

·                 James Owens, 35, of Rincon, was arrested and charged with two counts of Sale of a Controlled Substance, two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance within 1,000 feet of a school, two counts of Use of Communication Facility in Commission of a Felony involving Controlled Substances, three counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Fleeing, Obstruction, and Parole Violation.

·                 Major Williams, 40, of Guyton, was arrested and charged with two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Heron/Cocaine), Open Container Violation, Trafficking Illegal Drugs (Heroin), and Probation Violation.

·                 Jeremy Yeater, 37, of Meldrin, was arrested and charged with Trafficking Illegal Drugs (Methamphetamine), Possession of Marijuana, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Hydrocodone, and Possession of Tools for Commission a Crime.