According to Sheriff Jeff Shaver, five individuals were arrested on drug related charges on Monday Feb. 4. at a residence located at 480 3rd Avenue in Centre. Lead Agent Will Clark, along with other agents with the Cherokee Narcotics Unit, went to the residence after receiving an anonymous tip that illegal drug activity was occuring at the residence. The initial investigation led to the issuance of a search warrant after agents located the five individuals there and observed probable cause to detain the suspects and obtain the warrant.

During the subsequent search of the residence, agents found methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and other evidence of drug use. Arrested and charged, according to Shaver, were Jeremy Wayne McGatha, 21; Kristin Marie Moses, 21; Michael Edward Peed, 26 and Elijah Bo Keasler, 26, all of Centre and Dawn Burton Smith, 35, of Gaylesville.

Ms. Moses was the renter of the residence which had no working gas or electricity. No children were found at the residence however, because of evidence at the scene indicating children occupying the residence, caseworkers with the Department of Human Resources were called in to assist in the investigation, Shaver said

All five individuals were transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center and booked on charges of unlawful possesion of a controlled substance and possesion of drug paraphernalia, where they were held pending bond. In addition, Ms Moses was charged with possession of marijuana in the second degree.