Sheriff’s Office press release
Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said Friday his deputies spent Thursday putting two more people with illegal drugs in jail.
“Drug addiction is destroying lives and I am not going to sit quietly by and let it go unanswered,” Hillhouse said. “The first step we in law enforcement can take is to get these dealers and users off the streets. They are a threat to themselves and others.”
Lead Narcotics Investigator Kay Langford and Investigators Brad Beddingfield and Josh Rickman, stopped a white truck on Hwy 31 and Hwy 175 West in Athens for a traffic violation.
They conducted a search of the vehicle and found approximately 5 grams of methamphetamine on the floor board of the driver side of the vehicle.
Damon Wayne Pagitt, 24, was arrested and charged with a first degree felony for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. If found guilty he could face a prison term of life or a term of not more than 99 years or less than 5 years and a fine of up to $10,000.
Meanwhile, Deputy Vann Vanderburg responded to a 911 call in Indian Harbor subdivision in the Payne Springs area of Henderson County late Thursday night.
He found 31-year-old Danny Allen McRoy covered in sweat and acting anxiously as he approached his clearly marked patrol vehicle. Deputy Linus Moulton backed up Vanderburg.
McRoy said his father had been in a fight and needed assistance. He then claimed to hear screaming, which the deputy did not. Insisting on a ride to help his father, the deputy asked McRoy if he had any weapons or illegal items on him. McRoy was found to be in possession of a plastic baggie containing a crystal like substance of suspected methamphetamine.
Deputy Vanderburg made contact with McRoy’s father and found he had not been involved in an altercation.
McRoy was taken to the Henderson County Jail and charged with possession of a controlled substance.
“These drugs make people hear things, see things and believe things that are not true,” Hillhouse said. “They destroy souls and they kill.”