UPDATED: Names Released In Wednesday Drug Investigation

Authorities said Wednesday they have dismantled a multi-million dollar drug trafficking operation based out of Stephens County.

Wednesday, some 200 local, state, and federal law enforcement officers served more than 20 search warrants and raided properties in Stephens County, north Georgia, metro Atlanta, and South Carolina as part of the effort.

The warrants were the culmination of a 10-month investigation by the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, with the cooperation of the FBI, Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, and Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s office.

Mitchell Posey is the GBI special agent in charge of the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office.

He identified the ringleader of this trafficking operation as a Horace Mayfield, age 31.

Posey said that Mayfield lives in Barrow County now, but is from Stephens County and chose to base his operation out of Stephens County.

“He would distribute them from Stephens County to surrounding counties,” said Posey. “He would purchase his drugs in the Atlanta area.”

Posey went on to say that Mayfield and his organization have operated in Stephens County and areas stretching from Atlanta to South Carolina for many years and have been trafficking large amounts of drugs.

“I can only speak to essentially historically what we have put on him over the last year,” said Posey. “Keep in mind he has been operating in this manner for years up here, but historically we can put about 72 kilograms of cocaine on him, about 15 kilograms of methamphetamine, and about 50 pounds of marijuana.”

Those amounts of drugs over the last year have a total street value of $9.5 million.

Mayfield was taken into custody in Barrow County.

Posey said that he and all of the 27 people facing arrest warrants from this investigation will face numerous charges.

“The defendants were charged under the RICO act,” said Posey. “Trafficking of methamphetamine, cocaine, and use of a telecommunication device.”

As of 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, additional arrests were still pending in connection with the investigation.

Speaking on behalf of Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, Chief Deputy Andy Myers said the Sheriff’s Office is very happy with the outcome.

“I think this is something where the people of Stephens County will feel an immediate impact,” said Myers. “It is going to impact not just the drug trade, but gang-related activity in the area. This is going to make a difference with that. It is just all around a good operation, a successful operation, and a good example of what happens when a whole bunch of agencies work together.”

Meanwhile, Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney George Christian said this investigation was a great example of interagency cooperation.

“The three sheriffs in the Mountain Judicial Circuit have put resources and people with the GBI drug task force and it allows us to do these types of operations and it will certainly put a dent in the methamphetamine and cocaine trade in the Mountain Judicial Circuit,” said Christian.

That sentiment is echoed by White County Sheriff Neal Walden, who serves as the Chair of the Board for the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office.

Walden said big busts like this put drug dealers out of business.

A host of agencies were present or assisted in today’s operation, including Toccoa Police, along with agencies from across metro Atlanta, north Georgia, and upstate South Carolina.

Those arrested were:
Rashad Beasley (41), 27 Maple Street Lavonia, GA
Sherry Evans (39), 820 Mount Olivet Road, Hartwell, GA
Henry Harris (61), 146 Sitton Mill Road, Seneca, SC
Malissa Holden (43), 313 Zion Hill Road, Seneca, SC
Nate Howard (30), 1995 Carithers Way Marietta, GA
Avero Howard (38), 317 Skyview Lane, Toccoa, GA
Joy Hunter (32), 413 Butler Street, Westminster, SC
Stephens Ivester (38), 1971 Wolfpit Road, Eastonallee, GA
Quincy Jones (33), 118 Poplar Trail, Toccoa, GA
Jack Mark (63), 106 Oak Ridge Circle, Seneca, SC
Horace Mayfield III (31), 714 Baskins Circle, Winder GA
Deltorious McClendon (27), 170 Hanover Place Apt. 4, Athens, GA
Gustavo Melendez (38), 1531 Druid Valley Drive Apt. B, Atlanta, GA
Brittany Prather (23), 130 Persimmon Street, Toccoa, GA
Megan Sanders (28), 111 Cabin Lake Court Athens, GA
Audreona Scott (24), 714 Baskins Circle, Winder, GA
Bobby J. Smith (30), 195 Forest Brook Drive, Eastanollee, GA
Leonardo Steeple (38), 196 Tabitha Page Lane, Toccoa, GA
Mario Stowers (36), 1725 Presidents Street Apt. A, Westminster, SC
Marvin Teasley (38), 269 Country Club Drive, Toccoa, GA
Dwayanego Poole (38), 310 Pine Street, Seneca, SC
Chanin Mayfield (26), 317 Skyview Lane, Toccoa, GA
Carlos Torres, (26), 317 Ard Place, Atlanta, GA
Wilfredo Otero, (24), 317 Ard Place, Atlanta, GA

 

Video of Search Warrant Being Served