FCSO leads two drug busts
Franklin County investigators have been busy this month hitting the streets and cleaning up reported drug activity in the area.
Sept. 15 investigators received citizen complaints regarding drug activity in the Vina area. Investigators said that around 3 p.m. they were on their way to pick up Charles Coleman Poores, 29, who was arrested on a failure to appear charge, and they found him in a house on County Road 23 in Vina with four other offenders.
“We were just coming for Poores. We didn’t know we would find all of this,” an FC investigator said.
All five occupants were taken into custody, but not without a fight, investigators said. JC Sonny Johnson reportedly resisted arrest and led the investigators on a chase that ended with Johnson being tasered before being taken into custody. Johnson, 48, was charged with resisting arrest, attempting to elude, tampering with evidence, possession of a controlled substance and third degree assault against an officer. His actions were a violation of his parole, and he will be taken back to Mississippi, where he was issued his parole sentencing.
Heather Hughes, 40, from Iuka, Miss., was charged with possession of a controlled substance and has already made bond.
Christopher Michael Burney, 40, of Vina, was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
Stacy Marie Payton, 29, of Vina, was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
“We’re trying to be vigilant about our drug enforcement,” an investigator said.
Investigators received more calls reporting drug activity, this time in the Rockwood community, and responded Sept. 19.
Investigators said they found a car parked in the middle of County Road 64 and attempted to do a traffic stop, but suspects fled. The vehicle had nearly reached the intersection at County Road 61 when the driver reportedly fled on foot. According to investigators, they pursued him for about a quarter of a mile into the woods before they caught him.
“We’re grateful that the state and Russellville Police Department helped us catch them,” an investigator said.
The driver was Mark Lee Davis, 27, from Hackleburg. Investigators said he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, attempting to elude, resisting arrest and the assault of a police officer.
His passengers were Peter Michael Luttrell, 27, from Vina, and William Seth Fredrick, 21, from Hamilton. Both were charged with possession of a controlled substance and attempting to elude, investigators said.