Round-up of Drug Dealers Leads to Largest Spice Bust in Bainbridge Public Safety Department History

PRESS RELEASE

On Friday, June 22nd, Bainbridge Public Safety Deputy Director Frank Green and Investigators Mark Esquivel, Chip Nix, Davina Thomas, Chris Jordan, and Larry Funderburke acted on recent complaints about numerous drug deals and dealers associated with a residence on Sharpe Street.

Around 9am, Investigators spotted Ernest Bryant riding a bicycle on Evans Street.  Bryant, a convicted drug user/dealer, was known to hang out at the Sharpe Street residence.  Investigators stopped Bryant and asked if he was in possession of any illegal drugs.  He responded in the affirmative, and handed over two baggies containing spice.   Ernest Bryant, 49, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony).

At 10:40am, Investigators were patrolling in the Sharpe Street area when they saw Dexter Williford lingering around the “drug house.”  When Investigators approached Williford, he took off running.  Investigator Esquivel witnessed Williford throw something to the side as he was running.  After a short foot chase, he was apprehended and found in possession of two bags of spice and two hydrocodone pills.  Investigator Esquivel located the item that was thrown and found it to be a baggie containing ten additional hydrocodone pills.  Dexter Williford, 34, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance – 2 counts (Felony).

On Friday afternoon around 3pm, Investigators were traveling in the area of Sims and MLK Jr. Drive when they performed a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Jesse B. Dunnaway.  Investigator Esquivel approached the vehicle and spotted a pistol.  A search of the vehicle uncovered several jars containing marijuana, and a bottle of pills.  Jesse B. Dunnaway, 48, was arrested and charged with:

1) Possession, Sale, Manufacture, or Distribution of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana (Felony)

2) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (Felony)

3) Possession of a Firearm – Attempt to Commit a Crime (Felony)

The investigation culminated around 4:20pm when Investigators obtained a search warrant for the residence on Sharpe Street, home of Sherrick Desean Footman.  A search of the premises uncovered marijuana, ecstasy, and 36 baggies of spice, as well as 27 pills and approximately $5,000 in cash.  Sherrick Desean Footman, 28, was arrested and charged with:

1) Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute – 2 counts (Felony)

2) Possession of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana – Less Than 1 Ounce.