4 arrested for drugs after search of house
RUSSELLVILLE — Four people are facing drug-related charges after members of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Police Department executed a search warrant on the 5100 block of Alabama Highway 77 in the Mountain Star community.
Law enforcement had received several complaints of drug activity coming from the residence at 5111 Highway 77, according to Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Kyle Palmer.
“We gathered enough evidence to show probable cause to obtain the search warrant, so we hit the house on Tuesday,” Palmer said.
Four people were found at the residence at the search warrant was executed.
Two people inside the residence, Joshua Ryan Bailey and Abby Grace Gargis, were arrested and charged with one count each of drug trafficking (crystal methamphetamines) after approximately 80 grams of meth was found.
The estimated street value of the meth is $1,500.
Bailey, 41, of Muscle Shoals also was charged with illegal distribution of controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and certain persons forbidden to carry a firearm.
Palmer said Bailey had a pistol hidden under the couch cushion he was sitting on.
Bailey also was facing drug charges in Colbert County, and two cases were set to go to trial on June 9, but records do not indicate whether that trial happened or not.
A Colbert County grand jury returned a five-count indictment in November 2023 charging Bailey with four counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and one count of first-degree unlawful possession of marijuana.
A second November 2023 indictment charged Bailey with one count of first-degree receiving sto- len property.
A Lauderdale County grand jury also returned a July 2023 indictment charging Bailey with a felony count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
His trial is set for Oct. 6, according to court records.
Gargis, 18, of Killen also was charged with loitering at a drug house and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Both were booked into the Franklin County Jail on $100,000 bonds.
Two other people also were found at the residence and arrested, Palmer said.
Phillip Edward, 56, of Russellville was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and chemical endangerment of a child.
He was released on Wednesday on a $1,500 bond.
Sharon Wellington, 53, of Russellville was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and chemical endangerment of a child.
She is being held in the Franklin County Jail on a $2,000 bond.
