More Than 100 Pounds of Meth Seized in Major Jackson County Drug Investigation; 20 Arrested in RICO Case

JACKSON COUNTY, Ga. — A seven-month narcotics investigation has resulted in one of the largest drug seizures in the history of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, leading to 20 arrests, the seizure of more than 51 kilograms of methamphetamine, and the filing of two Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) cases.

According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation culminated with coordinated enforcement actions involving multiple local, state, and federal agencies. Authorities reported seizing more than 51 kilograms of methamphetamine — equivalent to more than 112 pounds — during the operation.

The investigation was conducted with assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO), the GBI Gang Task Force, the Georgia Department of Public Safety, and the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office.

Among those arrested were several individuals charged with trafficking methamphetamine, while others face charges related to alleged participation in a criminal enterprise under Georgia’s RICO statute.

Those charged with trafficking methamphetamine include:

• Crissy Dawn Lipscomb, 46, of Maysville
• James Edward Daniel, 54, of Maysville
• Jennifer Lynn Byers, 56, of Commerce
• Stefan Charles Reagin, 40, of Carlton
• Dana Lynn Davis, 40, of Winterville
• Tanya Rochell Minish, 36, of Maysville

Additional arrests included:

• Larry Dewayne Fricks, 35, of Gainesville, charged with attempt and conspiracy to commit methamphetamine trafficking and a parole violation.
• Elden Dywayne Fricks, 60, of Maysville, charged with attempt and conspiracy to commit methamphetamine trafficking.

Authorities identified several individuals as alleged participants in the RICO investigation, including Alvin James Pressley, 45, Michael Wayne Gaynor, 62, Dianne Brooke Carver, 44, Scotty Lee Wilson, 40, Christopher James Thomason, 48, Hoke Travis Jones, 35, Margaret Christine Ostlund, 54, Coty Oneal Sanders, 39, Tanya Rochell Minish, 36, and Randall Eugene Thomas, 63, all of Maysville, among others.

The charges filed in the case include violations of the Georgia RICO Act, conspiracy to commit RICO, illegal use of communication facilities, trafficking and distribution of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, firearms offenses, and other drug-related and traffic offenses.

Also arrested were:

• JB Harris, 53, of Gainesville, charged with conspiracy to commit RICO and misdemeanor probation violations.
• Kristie Michelle Heffron, 32, of Maysville, charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm by a first offender probationer.
• William Edward Turpin, 49, of Maysville, charged with conspiracy to commit RICO and illegal use of a communication facility.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office described the operation as one of the most significant narcotics investigations in agency history and credited the collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement partners for its success.

The investigation remains ongoing.