Published: February 08, 2006 07:01 pm      

Several arrested for meth

Charges include trafficking, distribution

In three consecutive days, Butts County Sheriff’s Investigators Keith Kendrick and Michael Broce netted three significant arrests, all of which were marked by large seizures of methamphetamine, cash and vehicles.

On January 18, Deputy Jeffery Kendrick, Investigators Keith Kendrick and Michael Broce conducted an independent investigation at the home of David and Dianna Newberry located at 1400 Bucksnort Road in Jackson. The deputies had been tipped off to drug activity at the location and approached David Newberry. Newberry was found to have over 28 grams of suspected “ice” in his shirt pocket and over 12 grams of suspected “ice” and digital scales in a toolbox inside a shop at the residence. Ice is a smokeable form of methamphetamine that delivers a longer, more intense high than regular methamphetamine. Officials pointed out, too, that the David Newberry arrested is not the man of the same name who works for the Butts County Fire Department.

Newberry claimed ownership of the scales and narcotics and gave the deputies permission to search the interior and exterior of the property and vehicles. He also told the deputies that his wife, Dianna, had her own stash of “ice” and that she was a user. Upon questioning, Dianna Newberry admitted to having the stash and took Deputy Jeffrey Kendrick to its location – the inside of a Woman’s Day magazine on a page marked with an ink pen.

Also found on David Newberry was $12,866 in cash. Both Newberrys were arrested and transported to the Butts County Jail for booking. Their four vehicles were impounded for seizure. David Newberry was charged with trafficking of methamphetamine, Dianna with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Both are unemployed.

At the time of their arrest the Newberrys were asked by deputies to arrange a delivery of narcotics on Bucksnort Road. They complied, and the delivery resulted in the arrest of three Hispanic males - Jose Huerta, Patrico Galarza, and Jose Garcia - for trafficking “ice” methamphetamine. The three males had two pounds of “ice” in their possession and $632 in cash. The street value of two pounds of “ice” is between $52,000 and $53,000. All three males were taken to the Sheriff’s Office for processing.

A day later, Michael Broce and Keith Kendrick conducted an investigation of Robert Ageno, age 29, of Stockbridge. He arranged to deliver on ounce of methamphetamine to the Highway 36 BP gas station at Exit 201 of I-75. Ageno was arrested and found to be in possession of one ounce of methamphetamine. He was taken to the Sheriff’s Office for processing and his vehicle – a minivan taxi – was impounded.