Five Savannah residents were arrested and drugs and weapons were seized by local drug agents following an investigation Wednesday on the westside of Savannah.
An anonymous tip led Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Agents to a home in the 1000 block of West 38th Street where they were told 20-year-old Travis Antwon Roberson had been selling drugs and may have been in possession of an assault-style weapon, said CNT Sgt. Mark Lupus, the agency’s spokesman. Roberson was wanted by Savannah-Chatham police on various traffic-related charges including reckless driving and fleeing to elude a police officer.
CNT agents, Lupus said, witnessed Roberson enter the home late Wednesday afternoon. With help from Savannah-Chatham police officers, agents made contact with a 20-year-old resident of the home who denied Roberson was there. The woman, Caitlin Arlene Pool, refused to let CNT agents enter the home, Lupus said.
Based on witnessing Roberson enter the house, agents gained access and searched the interior, eventually making contact with Roberson, who voluntarily exited from one of the back bedrooms and was taken into custody without incident, Lupus said.
During the search agents saw in plain view bags of marijuana, drug weighing scales, and a handgun.
After obtaining a search warrant based on viewing those items, agents seized 8.4 ounces of marijuana, 22 grams of Methylone — known as bath salts — four handguns, and two suspected assault weapons with exterior markings and serial numbers obscured.
Roberson and Pool were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance (Methylone) with intent to distribute, possession of an article with an altered ID, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Three additional suspects were arrested during the incident, Lupus said.
Agents captured 22-year-old Cornelius Morgan and 19-year-old Richard Isiah Wright, who approached the residence while authorities awaited the search warrant. Upon noticing the presence of law enforcement personnel at the home, Wright immediately fled on foot and was apprehended after a short foot chase, Lupus said. During the pursuit, the sergeant added, Wright dropped a trash bag that contained two pounds of marijuana CNT agents suspect was being delivered to the house for sale.
Morgan, who did not flee, was found in possession of a handgun, Lupus said.
A third suspect, 20-year-old Cassidy Jane Kinsey, came to the front door of the residence and was arrested after advising an undercover drug agent she wanted to purchase marijuana.
Wright was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute along with one count of obstruction by fleeing. Morgan was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in committing a crime. Kinsey was charged with Attempt/Conspiracy to Violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.
Soldier found dead on Fort Stewart identified
Fort Stewart officials Friday identified the deceased soldier found last month at Holbrook Pond on the installation.
The soldier found dead in a recreational area of the Coastal Georgia Army post early Nov. 30 was identified as 29-year-old Spc. John Joseph Beans Eubank, said Kevin Larson, Fort Stewart spokesman. Eubank, of Mt. Village, Alaska, was assigned to the 396th Transportation Co., 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division.
Larson said he’d served four deployments in his ten-year Army career including a recent rotation in Afghanistan that he returned from in May.
Special Agents from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) and two non-commissioned officers from Spc. Eubank’s unit identified the body 2 p.m. Dec. 1, at Winn Army Community Hospital, Larson said.
The death investigation is ongoing, he added. CID officials declined to release further information.
“The 3rd Infantry Division expresses its deepest condolences to the family members of Spc. Eubank. Chaplain and casualty assistance support have been extended to the family during this time period,” Larson said.
Wanted Savannah man captured in Rincon
The bad luck of Friday the 13th caught up with a Savannah man wanted on multiple drug charges by the Savannah-Chatham Counter Narcotics Team as he was arrested in Rincon by the United States Marshals Service Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force today.
Kevin Lamar Speaks, 31, was wanted by CNT on multiple drug charges, including attempt/conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, trafficking in cocaine over 28 grams, use of a communication facility for criminal use, and possession of firearm/knife in committing a crime. The warrant was issued in September 2013, said Tommy Long, Marshals spokesman.
An extensive investigation was conducted by the task force and information was generated that Speaks left Savannah and was possibly in the Rincon area. With the assistance of CNT agents and the Rincon Police Department, the task force went to the address and found Speaks in an apartment off 9th Street in Rincon. Speaks was arrested without incident. Speaks was transported to the Effingham County jail to await pick up by Chatham County.
Three displaced in minor fire
A minor fire on Savannah’s westside Friday displaced three people.
The American Red Cross Chatham County Disaster Action Team responded to the fire in the 1000 block of Googe Street, said Robin Wingate, the executive director of the local Red Cross chapter.
The power was turned off at the residence, and Red Cross volunteers provided funds for food and temporary shelter until the landlord can access the damage and make repairs.
The Red Cross encourages the public to join in support of assisting disaster victims by becoming volunteers or making a financial donation to the American Red Cross at 41 Park of Commerce Way or by calling 912-651-5300.
Compiled by Corey Dickstein and Josh Rayburn