Arrests made near East Fannin Elementary
Five persons were arrested on multiple charges and a large amount of methamphetamine seized when agents of the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) and Fannin County Sheriff’s Office investigators executed a search at a Morganton residence Monday, September 21.
An AREDO statement issued Friday, Ocotber 2, said 27 grams of methamphetamine, one ounce of marijuana, two pistols and various drug related objects were seized when the law enforcement officers executed a search at 155 Fain Street, Apartment #7, in Morganton.
Fannin County investigators had received information alleging illegal drug activity at the location, which is within 1,000 feet of East Fannin Elementary School.
The suspects arrested were identified as Nicholas Gage Hampton, 28; Garantz Predvil, 31; McKenzie Valdez Phillips, 38; Kirsten Dianne Arcia, 29; and Malisha Joy Thongvilay, 38.
According to warrants on file in connection with the arrests, the suspects, their addresses and their charges are:
•Hampton, of 155 Fain Street, Apt. #7: misdemeanor, possession of drug related objects; felony, manufacturing, distributing, dispensing or possessing methamphetamine in, on or near public school or park; felony, manufacturing, distributing, dispensing or possessing marijuana in, on or near public school or park; felony, marijuana, possession with intent to distribute; and felony, methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute. A warrant charging Hampton with felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felony, says he was convicted on Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act (VGCSA) charges in Fannin County Superior Court on November 15, 2012. Fannin County Detention Center records show he is also charged with violation of probation.
•Predvil, of 1742 Beauregard Drive, Lilburn, Georgia; misdemeanor, possession of drug related objects; felony, manufacturing, distributing, dispensing or possessing methamphetamine in, on or near public school or park; felony, manufacturing, distributing, dispensing or possessing marijuana in, on or near public school or park; felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; felony, marijuana, possession with intent to distribute; and felony, methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute.
•Thongvilay, of 506 Pinehill Circle, Lawrenceville, Georgia; felony, manufacturing, distributing, dispensing or possessing marijuana in, on or near public school or park; felony, manufacturing, distributing, dispensing or possessing methamphetamine in, on or near public school or park; misdemeanor, marijuana, possession of less than one ounce; felony, methamphetamine, possession with intent.
•Phillips, of 1824 Brannen Road SE, Atlanta; misdemeanor, possession of drug related objects; felony, theft by receiving stolen property; felony, manufacturing, distributing, dispensing or possessing methamphetamine in, on or near public school or park; felony, manufacturing, distributing, dispensing or possessing marijuana in, on or near public school or park; and felony, methamphetamine, possession with intent.
•Arcia, of 155 Fain Street, Apt. #7; misdemeanor, possession of drug related objects; felony, manufacturing, distributing, dispensing or possessing methamphetamine in, on or near public school or park; felony, manufacturing, distributing, dispensing or possessing marijuana in, on or near public school or park; felony, marijuana, possession with intent to distribute; and felony, methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute; and felony, theft by receiving stolen property.
The various warrants allege methamphetamine and marijuana was packaged in individual zip-loc baggies, some indicating the amount of illegal drug inside, and the various drug related objects includes smoking pipes and scales.
A 2015 Kawasaki ZX-636-E motorcycle found in Phillips’ possession had been reported stolen from an Austell, Georgia, location. Arcia was charged in connection with possession of the same motorcycle.