Over the course of the past three days, Waynesboro Police culminated a month long investigation which targeted a methamphetamine and prescription pill distribution ring.
Police executed several search warrants and made numerous arrests in an operation designed to interdict drug trafficking and seize assets from the sale of illegal drugs.
On Feb. 17, members of the WPD Special Operations Division executed three separate search warrants at two city residences and a storage building, all of which targeted Cole Alan Hewitt. The first warrant police served was at 669 Sherwood Avenue in Waynesboro. Hewitt, who was wanted for a Probation Violation, was arrested inside a camper in the back yard of 669 Sherwood Avenue.
Hewitt was also charged with two counts of distribution of methamphetamine, stemming from two incidents in which he sold drugs to an undercover police informant during the past month. As a result of evidence found at the scene, Hewitt was charged with an additional drug possession felony. Police seized Hewitt’s camper trailer and impounded it. Police seized methamphetamine and US currency inside the camper during the execution of the search warrant.
Also, inside the residence, Vickie Clemmons (51 years of age and the owner of the residence) was arrested for possession of methamphetamine after police found drugs inside the residence. She is being held on a $1000 bond at MRRJ.
On Feb. 19, between 2:00 and 9:00 pm, police conducted several controlled narcotics purchases throughout the city which resulted in arrests of numerous subjects over the course of the day. These subjects were arrested and charged with those crimes and also with previous charges stemming from crimes committed earlier in the month. Two vehicles were seized during this portion of the operation, as well as cash and additional drugs.
On Feb. 19 at 11:00 PM, members of the Special Operations Division and SWAT executed a search warrant at 118 North Bayard Avenue, Lot #6. This portion of the investigation stemmed from multiple controlled narcotics purchases of methamphetamine from that location over the course of the past week.
This location was specifically targeted after police received a call from a concerned citizen on the Crimestopper line that subjects at the residence were engaged in narcotics trafficking right next door to Wenonah Elementary School. The trailer in lot #6 lies just 120 feet from the main entrance to the elementary school property.
Paul David Reed was arrested for four counts of distribution of controlled substance (methamphetamine) within 1,000 feet of a school. As a result of evidence found during the search, he was also charged with simple possession of a controlled substance, as were Jesse Hamilton Balin and Jerri Lynn Vance.
All three were taken into custody and are being held at MRRJ. Both Balin and Reed were on probation for prior drug crimes.
List of those charged
Cole Alan Hewitt, 50 years of age
- 18.2-248 Distribution of Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine, two counts)
- 18.2-248 Possess With Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine)
Mark Douglas Moore, 51 years of age
- 18.2-248 Distribution of Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine, two counts)
- 18.2-250 Possession of Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine, two counts)
- 18.2-255.2 Distribution Controlled Substance Within 1000 feet of a school (Methamphetamine)
- 46.2-357 Drive after being declared a habitual offender
Phillip Eugene Hall, 53 years of age
- Distribution of controlled substances (prescription pills, three counts)
Jason Thomas Varner, 37 years of age
- 18.2-248 Distribution of Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine, three counts)
Paul David Reed, 57 years of age
- 18.2-255.2 Distribution of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school (4 counts)
- 18.2-250 Possession of Controlled Substance
Melissa Jean Branch, 37 years of age
- 18.2-248 Distribution of Controlled Substance (prescription pills, 1 count)
- 18.2-248 Distribution of Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine)
Vickie Clemmons, 44 years of age
- 18.2-250 Possession of Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine)
Jerri Lynn Vance, 47 years of age
- 18.2-250 Possession of Controlled Substance
Jesse Hamilton Balin, 27 years of age
- 18.2-250 Possession of Controlled Substance
Wanted
Tony Deforned Davis,
- 18.2-255.2 Distribution of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, Meth
John Thomas Devost, 44 years of age
- 18.2-248 Distribution of Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine)
- 18.2-248 Distribution of Controlled Substance (Morphine)
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