Five face felony drug charges in Henry County

By Matt Elofson

Published: September 15, 2008

Four men face felony drug charges after Henry County Sheriff’s investigators arrested them as part of a three-month undercover drug operation.

Henry County Sheriff William Maddox said investigators served search warrants at two Henry County residences on Friday. They arrested four men, including Jamar Laquan Cooke, 32, Ralph Thomas, 52, Anthony Lerone Blackmon, 31, and Daryl Ramon Wright, 37.

He said investigators are also looking for Blackmon’s brother, Jeremy Devence Blackmon, 25, who faces a felony drug charge, according to an e-mailed statement.

Maddox said investigators served search warrants at Cooke and Blackmon’s residences Friday, where they found an undetermined amount of cocaine and marijuana.

“They were two of the largest dealers of drugs in Henry County,” Maddox said.

Blackmon, of County Road 79, Columbia, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and first-degree possession of marijuana. Deputies seized a 2005 Chrysler, more than $800 in cash, a pistol and two shotguns.

Maddox said federal charges are also pending against Blackmon because he was a convicted felon in possession of firearms at the time of his arrest. He said Blackmon was previously convicted of felony drug charges.

Cooke was charged with three counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Deputies seized a Kawasaki four-wheeler and $836 in cash during the search of his Henry County Road 29 home near Abbeville.

Anyone with information on Jeremy Blackmon’s whereabouts can call the Henry County Sheriff’s Department at (334) 585-3131 or Crime Stoppers at (334) 585-5200.