Suspected drug dealer arrested in Athens

Charles Lastowski

Sheriff’s Office press release

After a month’s long investigation, Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse and his team of narcotics investigators arrested a suspected drug dealer Tuesday.

“Some of these folks have to learn the hard way,” Hillhouse said. “If you are dealing or using drugs in this county we will arrest you.”

Hillhouse said Charles Lastowski has been “on our radar” for dealing drugs out of his Athens residence in the Regency Mobile Home Park.

Lead Narcotics Investigator Kay Langford, with Investigators Brad Beddingfield and Josh Rickman, gathered enough probable cause information to obtain a search warrant from County Court at Law Judge Nancy Perryman.

Around dusk Tuesday, the Henderson County Tactical Team along with Sheriff Hillhouse, Chief Deputy Kevin Halbert, Major Bryan Tower, Captain David Jones and Lieutenant David Faught executed the narcotic search warrant.

Inside, they found Lastowski with approximately an ounce of suspected methamphetamine, a fully loaded .357 pistol and almost five pounds of marijuana.

The manufacture and delivery of the methamphetamine charge is a first degree felony and the possession of marijuana charge is a state jail felony.

“We believed Lastowski was a real player in the drug-dealing business,” Hillhouse said. “We were patient, caught him and now he can’t keep selling his poison on the streets.”

Also Tuesday, Deputy Keon Mack arrested Jared McEwen, 27, for possession of a controlled substance – suspected methamphetamines – on FM 315 near Chandler.

“I want the citizens to know that we are everywhere,” Hillhouse said. “We are working around the clock to get these folks off the streets.”

Since becoming Sheriff in June, Hillhouse has launched a massive crack down on illegal drugs in Henderson County.

“And importantly, the concerted effort to get drugs off our streets is having a domino effect,” Hillhouse said. “People are calling the Office to report illegal drug activity. We are making arrests. Other crimes like theft and burglary will decline.”

“It all begins with stopping illegal drugs. That is what I promised I would do and what I will continue to do throughout my time as your Sheriff,” he said. “My dedicated staff is working hard for the citizens of Henderson County and will continue to do so. It is an honor to lead these professional deputies.”

2 thoughts on “Suspected drug dealer arrested in Athens”

  1. That’s all well and good now stop harressment of people who turned in dirty judge’s and cop’s and refusing them police service

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