'Operation Fred' leads to arrests of four drug suspects

Aug. 20—SANDERSVILLE, Ga. — An undercover drug investigation, dubbed "Operation Fred," led to the arrests of four suspects this week in Washington and Johnson counties, authorities say.

The investigation, underway for the past several months, yielded approximately seven ounces of methamphetamine.

Authorities said the estimated street value of the drugs was $5,000.

Two of the four suspects were charged with trafficking methamphetamine.

Three of the men taken into custody Tuesday were from Johnson County, while the fourth suspect was from Washington County.

Deputies and investigators with the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Sandersville and Johnson County Sheriff's Office in Wrightsville, along with agents from the Ocmulgee Drug Task Force in Milledgeville and the Georgia Department of Community Supervision were involved in the investigation and subsequent arrests.

Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran and Johnson County Sheriff Greg Rowland said the two-county drug investigation remains ongoing and they anticipate additional arrests.

Ocmulgee Drug Task Force Agent Mike Wolfe along with Washington County Sheriff's Office Investigator Capt. Trey Burgamy led the investigation.

Authorities have identified the four suspects taken into custody as:

* Ronald Franklin Kinslow, 31, of Wrightsville, charged with Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act (VGCSA) for trafficking methamphetamine, multiple counts of the sale of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, and probation violation.

* Daniel Lee Wittmer, 36, of Wrighstville, charged with VGCSA for trafficking methamphetamine.

* William Neil Price, 46, of Bartow, charged with VGCSA for multiple counts of sale of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, and probation violation.

* Thomas Roy Frady, 53, of Wrightsville, charged with VGCSA for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.