Four Charged with Drug Trafficking

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Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025

Tifton, Georgia

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TIFTON POLICE CHARGE 4 WITH DRUG TRAFFICKING, STOLEN FIREARMS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Four people have been arrested at a Tifton hotel on charges of drug trafficking, drug possession, and stolen firearms, Tifton Police said Monday.

On Thursday, police executed a search warrant at the Super 8 by Wyndham Tifton hotel on W. Second Street hotel, arresting four adults and seizing illegal drugs, items used in the illegal distribution of narcotics, and firearms.

Arrested are Emily Atwater, 28; Malik Merritt, 28; Jaoquinn Demonte Cunningham, 40; and Reakeidron Singleton, 20, Tifton Police said.

All four are charged with trafficking both fentanyl and methamphetamines, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime (a felony), theft by receiving stolen property, and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.

Additionally, Cunningham and Merritt are also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and Atwater is also charged with giving a false name to an officer.

Tifton Police said items seized included fentanyl, methamphetamine, oxycodone, marijuana, cocaine, and stolen firearms found in the hotel room.

To anonymously report crimes to the Tifton Police Department, contact the tip411 alert system by texting keyword TIFTONPD to 847411, or by downloading the Tifton PD app.

CITY OKs REZONINGS FOR APARTMENTS, NEW DAYCARE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tifton City Council on Monday approved separate rezonings to allow the construction of an apartment complex off Carpenter Road and of a building on 13th Street to house a daycare operation.

Stafford Kunes Investments plans to develop 5.96 acres at 1600 Carpenter Place, a new road off Carpenter Road, for a 72-unit apartment complex, with a pool, pool building, and 161 parking spaces. Council rezoned the parcel from wholesale light industrial to residential professional zoning to allow the development.

Council also rezoned 0.23 acres at 212 W 13th St. from residential to neighborhood commercial to allow for the construction of a child daycare center. Lucille Coleman said her proposed daycare will serve 48 to 66 children. The parcel is currently vacant.

Also Monday, a plan to contract with a private company for citywide mosquito spraying was temporarily put on hold after a city resident told council of concerns about the safety of spraying chemicals in the city.

Michele Powers told City Council that such spraying would not only kill mosquitoes but all insects, wiping out the food source for birds. She said that exterminators say the mosquito spraying is safe for "most people and pets."

"It doesn't make sense to do this," Powers said. She suggested that residents could address mosquito issues on their property through a variety of methods, including plants that repel mosquitoes.

Council deferred action until next month in order to further study the matter.

WILDLIFE REHAB IN TIFTON NEIGHBORHOOD TOLD IT VIOLATES ZONING CODE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

As of Tuesday night, more than 3,000 people have signed an online petition supporting a Tifton wildlife rehabilitator who has been informed that her operation in a Tifton neighborhood is not allowed under city zoning.

Jessica L. Pisciotta said she was shocked when she received a letter Friday from the city attorney giving her 30 days to bring her property into compliance with zoning laws. For about 20 years, Pisciotta says she has operated her nonprofit Steadfast Wildlife Rescue Rehab Inc. out of her home on Hall Avenue.

Pisciotta has been helping all manner of injured wildlife in South Georgia, such as deer, vultures, coyotes, foxes, opossums hit and injured by cars, and even baby squirrels and owls that have fallen from their nests.

In his letter, City Attorney Rob Wilmot said that "it has been brought to my attention that you are utilizing your property ... for the boarding, caring for, and keeping of animals, including deer, pigs, raccoons, possums, birds, poultry, and other animals. The use of this property for these purposes is prohibited in a residential zoning district under the City of Tifton's Code of Ordinances and the City's Land Development Code."

The Hall Avenue property is zoned as residential.

Wilmot wrote that the "city understands that due to the number of animals on the property it will take some time to bring your property in compliance, but we would anticipate that this can be accomplished in a 30-day time frame. Should you feel additional time may be required to relocate these animals, please contact the undersigned."

The city attorney has said that "it’s a great thing she does; I think everyone admires her for that. It’s just being done in a location where that is not allowed.”

Pisciotta said the animals are not housed at her property and only stay temporarily until they are nursed back to health and returned to the wild. She noted that she has all necessary state and federal licenses. According to the Ga. Department of Natural Resources, Pisciotta is one of the few licensed wildlife rehabilitators in the region.

The online petition supporting Pisciotta's operation asks the City of Tifton to "immediately halt enforcement" of the zoning violations against Steadfast Wildlife Rescue Rehab, to "amend zoning laws" to create an exemption for home-based wildlife rehabilitation centers, and to "support Steadfast Wildlife Rescue Rehab, Inc. and other wildlife rehabilitation centers, ensuring they can continue their essential work without fear of closure due to zoning issues."

When contacted, Mayor Julie B. Smith referred comments to the city attorney since the issue may become a matter of litigation.

Tyler Lasseter of Tifton, Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, with President Jim Glass of Southern Regional technical College.

TIFTON BUSINESS OWNER RECEIVES SRTC DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

A Tifton business owner is one of three "distinguished alumni" of Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) who were recognized Saturday night by the SRTC Foundation.

Tyler Lasseter of Tifton, and Edward Jones and Kellie Odom, both of Thomasville, each received the college's Distinguished Alumni Award for exemplifying excellence in technical education and beyond. They each received an award handcrafted by SRTC students.

Lasseter, a successful entrepreneur and welder, began his journey as a dual enrollment student at SRTC's Tifton Campus, graduating in 2022 with a degree in welding and joining technology. During his time at SRTC, he won the gold medal in the State SkillsUSA welding competition, demonstrating exceptional skill and craftsmanship.

Putting his technical education to work, Lasseter established his own welding and machining business, Lasseter Welding and Fab Works, which has become a service provider in Tift and Turner counties. He remains active in his community through church volunteer work.

Jones is a paramedic and life-support training instructor who completed his SRTC education in 2017. His journey in emergency medical services began in 2012, where he progressively earned his EMT B certificate, AEMT certificate, and paramedic diploma. In recognition of his life-saving skills, Jones has received multiple awards for successful CPR interventions. In 2023, he expanded his role by becoming a field training officer at Leon County (Fla.) EMS. He works at HCA Florida Capital Hospital in Tallahassee, Fla.

Odom is nursing director at Archbold Medical Center in Thomasville, where she has served for nearly 32 years. Her healthcare journey began at SRTC, then Thomas Technical Institute, where she earned her licensed practical nurse certification in 1994. Throughout her career, Odom has pursued advanced education, earning her associates degree in nursing from Darton College and a bachelor's and master's in nursing from Thomas University.

ABAC PARTNERING WITH HIGH SCHOOLS TO OFFER COLLEGE CREDITS FOR AGRICULTURAL LEARNING

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College has announced an initiative for college credits for eligible high school students in Georgia and South Carolina who are pursuing agriculture careers.

Students who complete a state-approved pathway in the Agriculture Career Cluster, successfully pass the End-of-Pathway (EOP) exam, and submit a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) proficiency application or receive their state FFA degree will be eligible for three prior learning credits toward any major or degree within ABAC's School of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

“The partnership between ABAC and high school agricultural education programs is built on a shared commitment to student success,” said Dr. Andrew Thoron, head of ABAC's Department of Agricultural Education and Communication. “By recognizing the hard work of students and the dedication of their teachers, we are strengthening the pipeline of

agricultural leaders.”

These approved high school programs are part of the Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education (CTAE) in Georgia and Career and Technical Education (CTE) in South Carolina. A series of courses are designed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge for successful careers in agriculture.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

Southern Peach Nutrition

143 Love Ave., Tifton

Feb. 14

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Cate" is an orange-and-white beauty with a heart full of love. This precious girl is the definition of sweet: She adores cuddles, gentle head bumps, and curling up right next to you. Visit Cate and see other pets available for adoption between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

TIFTON ALUMNI RETURN FOR

50th ANNIVERSARY OF COLLEGE

~ FEB. 19, 1958

Approximately 80 former students returned to campus Feb. 19, 1958, for the 50th anniversary celebration of the founding of Tifton's Second District Agricultural and Mechanical School, now known as Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. H.D. Avra of Arlington, who attended the college on its very first day, was among the alumni in attendance.