Residents’ complaints prompted Athens drug bust, 12 arrests
Published 3:50 pm Friday, October 14, 2011
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Complaints about drug trafficking from residents in a north Athens neighborhood and a month-long investigation prompted the sting that led to 12 arrests this week.
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More than 15 Athens Police officers from various shifts united Thursday afternoon and converged on five homes, seizing crack cocaine, marijuana, firearms and $1,950 in cash. They arrested a dozen people on charges ranging from distribution of a controlled substance to driving while license is revoked. Seven of the 12 are now facing felony drug charges.
“There are a lot of good people who have their homes and are raising families in this area and we have repeatedly received complaints about drug trafficking,” Capt. Floyd Johnson said. Pats of the area have a history of high drug traffic.
Officers decided to coordinate a five-house bust for a reason.
“Through the years, we have planed to hit one and the person would get nervous and take the drugs somewhere else to dispose of them,” Johnson said. “So, we felt we had a chance of finding more drug and stolen property and violations if we went to multiple houses at the same time.”
At 3:05 p.m., five groups of officers simultaneously hit homes at 210 Plato Jones St., 713 Plato Jones St. and 1313 Plato Jones St. as well as homes at 305 Bridgeforth St. and 1602 Batts St.
While assisting with the bust, Officer Brandon Coburn noticed a boat in the yard at 713 Plato Jones, ran a check on it and determined it had been stolen from Giles County, Johnson said. Police also found a stolen rifle at the home, Lt. Trevor Harris said.
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“We are real proud of the officers, they really did a good job,” Johnson said.
The following people, listed in alphabetical order, were arrested:
• William Luke Bond, 30, of 13714 Sammy Lane, Elkmont, probation revoked on previous conviction (Limestone County warrant).
• LeCrystal Sheree Coffman, 28, of 815 Acorn Hill St., Athens, second-degree possession of marijuana; $1,000 bail.
• James Ray Franklin, 46, of 201 Goldenrod Lane, Madison, failure to appear for driving while license revoked, $500 bail.
• Travis Freeman, 35, of 1906 S. Hine St., Athens, failure to appear in court on previous charges of no driver’s license and improper passing.
• Carolyn Sue Hill, 51, of 1210 Plato Jones St., Athens, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance and one count of possession of controlled substance, bail set at $25,000.
• Russell Lynn Holt, 47, of 1313 Plato Jones St., Athens, distribution of a controlled substance, released from Limestone County Jail after posting $10,000 bail.
• Calvin Jacobs, 43, of 939 E. Strain Road, Athens, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia; bail set at $6,000.
• Rodney Keith Rippey, 43, of 1086 County Road 7, Florence, driving while license revoked and driver’s license not in possession, $600 bail.
• Charles Edward Yarbrough, 60, of 1020 Johnson St., Apt. B, Decatur, five counts of distribution of a controlled substance; released after posting $50,000 bail.
• Darrick Eugene Yarbrough, 50, of 16716 Albert Road, Athens, distribution of a controlled substance; released after posting $10,000 bail.
• James Edward Yarbrough, 62, of 1602 Batts St., Athens, distribution of a controlled substance; released after posting $10,000 bail.
• Jessie Lee Yarbrough, 57, of 713 Plato Jones St., Athens, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance; released after posting $20,000 bail.