The sheriff’s department charged two men with trafficking drugs from the residence of one of them in a north Sanderson neighborhood.
The arrests of Arnold (Ace) Clayton, 40, and Willis Hudson, 36, were based on a series of controlled buys at the former’s Clayton Ave. residence during a time period ranging from June 29 through August 27.
The two were picked up on August 31 when warrants were served at the address and remain in custody at county jail this week.
Because of the amount of drugs and frequency of the offenses, the case will likely be submitted to a federal grand jury. In the meantime, Mr. Clayton is being held without bond for possession of cocaine with intent to sell and sale.
For the time being, Mr. Hudson is charged only with a firearms violation.
Investigator Mike Hauge, who handles drug cases for the sheriff’s department, and Investigator Randy Crews, who is part of a regional drug task force, arranged the buys using two undercover purchasers. Police records indicate the buys took place during daylight hours on ten occasions involving cash ranging from $30 to $320.
Most were for crack cocaine, which the suspects either obtained from the interior of the residence, or in one case from a boot on the porch. In one instance, Mr. Clayton on pre-arrangement sold both crack and powder cocaine, along with marijuana.
As per department policy, the transactions were recorded and videotaped, and the report notes that on one occasion — August 4 — the equipment failed during a $60 purchase of crack.
Court records indicate Mr. Clayton has a lengthy felony arrest record and a history of the state dropping charges against him. They include recent counts of aggravated battery and assault and a dozen burglary cases dating back to 1994.
One of the alleged sales was made by Jamie Clayton, described as a brother of the suspect. He has not been charged.
In a second drug-related case this week, a Glen St. Mary woman was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana after her swerving southbound vehicle was stopped on CR 125 the evening of September 4.
Deputy Chad Montean said police were tipped off by another motorist who saw the Mazda driven by Janell Perry, 35, weaving on the roadway.
The deputy observed the vehicle parked on the road shoulder near Park St., then followed it south to the north town limits where he stopped it about 9:30. He said Ms. Perry had the marijuana in her hand while searching her purse for a driver’s license.
He also charged her with driving on a suspended license and gave her a warning ticket for the lane violation.