July 27, 2026
An investigation by local and state authorities began earlier this year and culminated last week with a roundup of drug dealers in the city of Eatonton.
Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell said 12 people were arrested on Tuesday, July 21, and each of them was charged with offenses associated with the Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act.
“Over half of them were already on probation; that’s what’s so bad about it,” Cardwell said. “They just didn’t learn to quit selling drugs in the city of Eatonton.”
The Eatonton Police Department was joined by the Ocmulgee Drug Task Force, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations Middle Georgia Gang Task Force, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, and the Georgia State Patrol in the investigation and arrests.
“This is an ongoing investigation and more arrests are forthcoming,” Cardwell said. “We are making every effort to rid our community of illegal drugs.”
Cardwell added that he wanted to thank all the Eatonton police officers involved, the officers with the other agencies, and his office staff.
“They did a lot of work because it was a lot of paperwork involved after the arrests were made,” he said.
Those arrested include:
Ricky Barnes, 35 of Eatonton – three felony counts of distribution of cocaine, one count possession of cocaine, probation violation;
Quindarius Coney, 25 of Eatonton – two felony counts of distribution of marjuana, one felony count of possession marijuana with intent to distribute, misdemeanor probation violation;
Savon Crawford, 32 of Eatonton – two counts of felony distribution of marijuana;
Markel Griffin, 27 of Eatonton – two felony counts of distribution of ecstasy/MDMA, probation violation;
Dramen Humphries, 19 of Eatonton – two felony counts of distribution of marijuana;
Moreese Lowe, 40 of Eatonton – felony possession marijuana with intent to distribute, felony possession methamphetamine with intent to distribute, felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, felony possession of a firearm during commission of a crime, probation violation;
Khalid Mathis, 26 of Eatonton – two felony counts of distribution of marijuana, and probation violation;
Jaidyn Porter, 19 of Eatonton – two felony counts of distribution of marijuana;
Donald Reid, 45 of Eatonton – felony distribution/sale of crack cocaine, felony possession with intent to sell cocaine, felony possession with intent to sell marijuana, parole violation;
Skylar Sharpe, 26 of Eatonton – two felony counts of distribution of ecstasy/MDMA, felony possession with intent to distribute marijuana, felony possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of drug related objects, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime;
Larry Webb, 75 of Eatonton – one felony count of distribution of marijuana;
Patrick Wesley, 31 of Eatonton – two felony counts of distribution of marijuana, one felony count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; probation violation.
Ten of the arrestees were booked into Putnam County Jail. Barnes is currently being held in Baldwin County Jail, and Mathis is in Newton County Jail, according to Cardwell.
“Anyone that has information that would assist us in this investigation, please call me,” Cardwell said. “Just call Eatonton Police Department at 706-485-3551 and ask for Chief Cardwell.”
The Eatonton Messenger
100 N. Jefferson Ave.
P.O. Box 4027
Eatonton, GA 31024
(706) 485-3501
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