FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2014
On Monday, November 3, 2014, agents of the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad (CMANS) conducted a search at a residence on Shadow Circle in Acworth, GA. Agents located various amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, and soboxone strips (a Schedule II Controlled Substance) at the residence. Nathan Maynor was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Heroin, and Possession of a Schedule II Substance (Soboxone), Maynor also had an outstanding warrant for Violation of Parole. Jessica Erd was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Heroin. Cassie Pye was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Heroin. Another individuals was arrested after leaving the residence and being stopped by Cherokee Sheriff’s deputies. Heather Fiveash from Acworth was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Heroin, and Possession of MDMA.
On Wednesday, November 5, 2014, agents of the CMANS conducted another search warrant at a residence on Golden Hills Drive in Woodstock, GA. Agents charged Angela Jean Dehaven with Possession of Methamphetamine and Violation of Probation; Davida Jeanette (“DJ”) Waller with Possession of Methamphetamine; Deanna Cheri Gann with Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Cocaine; Joy Lynn Holcombe with Possession of Methamphetamine; Freddy Lee Miller with Possession of Methamphetamine; William Christopher Spivey with Possession of Methamphetamine; and Samuel James Thomas Smith with Violation of Probation.
CMANS does not routinely announce arrests, as publicity can hamper other confidential investigations. Commander Price decided to make these arrests public because they point out the increased availability of Heroin in the community. They also serve to highlight the operations of the CMANS. Recently there have been two high profile incidents involving Drug Task Forces in Georgia that have resulted in serious injury to a child, and the death of a citizen in his home. Commander Phil Price said “We don’t want the citizens of Cherokee County to lump CMANS into the same group with all the other drug task forces in existence in this state.”
Price pointed out, “While CMANS Agents have obtained less than five No-Knock Search Warrants in the last year, none of them were executed as such. What that means is that CMANS supervisors recognized a high level of danger in these warrants, but found other ways to execute them. Entering a home, any home, is a dangerous proposition. CMANS Agents make every effort to avoid those occasions where this must be done. And when it is, Agents knock on the door and announce loudly that they are law enforcement officers serving a legal warrant.”
Price said “No-Knock Warrants will be a ‘hot button topic’ this year in the State Legislature.” Another issues which Price believes is going to be in the forefront is the level of training that drug agents receive annually, particularly as the training relates to High Risk Incidents. The required minimum in Georgia is 20 hours annually. Price said CMANS agents train an average of 165 hours each year. He said that CMANS Agents exceed the state mandated minimum routinely, and normally CMANS Agents do some training related to high risk operations every month. Price said “We exceed the minimum because we feel that the citizens of this county expect us to do that, and they deserve that level of commitment.”
Price explained the mission of CMANS. He said “The Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad is a joint task force working in Cherokee County to investigate drug related violations. The active Participation of our member agencies provides the guidance for CMANS to operate at such a high level. It was the vision of Sheriff Roger Garrison that CMANS would be a true multi-agency task force. It is because of the continuing hard work and cooperation of Sheriff Garrison, Chief Robert Merchant of Canton PD, Chief Ken Ball of Holly Springs PD, Chief Calvin Moss of Woodstock PD, Chief Bryon Reeves of the Ball Ground Police Department, Chief Cherokee County Marshal Ron Hunton and District Attorney Shannon Wallace that CMANS serves as a model for other task forces to emulate.”
Price, who retired from the GBI in 2006, has been the Commander of the CMANS since 2010. Price said “Coming to CMANS has given me the honor and the privilege to give back to the community I grew up in. To serve the citizens who have work so hard to make this county a good place to live. I feel blessed to have this opportunity, and I have a strong commitment to excellence in CMANS. The people of Cherokee County don’t deserve anything less.”
The Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad is a joint task force working in Cherokee County to investigate drug related violations. Participating agencies include the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, the Canton Police Department, the Woodstock Police Department, the Holly Springs Police Department, the Ball Ground Police Department, the Cherokee County Marshal’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia State Patrol. Citizens may call in tips anonymously to (770) 345- 7920, or may speak to an agent by calling (678) 493-7625.
