Douglas, GA - On Thursday, October 27, 2016, Michael Lee Mancil and James Kenneth Dryden were arrested as a result of an investigation conducted by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Douglas Office, Georgia State Patrol Post 36 Douglas Ga., Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Savannah, Ga. and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Brunswick, Ga.  Mancil was arrested on two counts of Sale of Methamphetamine, one count of Possession of Marijuana, one count of Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime, and one count of Unlawful Use of a Communication Device.  Dryden was arrested on two counts of Sale of Methamphetamine, one count of Possession of Marijuana, and one count of Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime.  Both Mancil and Dryden are currently being held at the Coffee County jail.

The investigation was initiated by an off duty GBI agent who witnessed suspicious activity by Mancil and Dryden.  The GBI contacted the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office and an investigation was initiated into the activities of Mancil and Dryden.  During the investigation, it was determined that the two were purchasing weapons and large amounts of ammunition.  It was also determined that Mancil and Dryden were also purchasing military equipment from local vendors.  The investigation led agents and investigators to Mancil and Dryden selling controlled substances from their residence in Coffee County.

As a result of the information gained during the investigation, warrants were issued for the arrest of Mancil and Dryden and a search warrant was also issued for their residence.  The execution of the search warrant was conducted by the Georgia State Patrol SWAT team due to the danger posed by the suspects.  The SWAT team executed the search warrant and arrests without incident.  The search of the residence led to the recovery of drugs and a large cache of weapons and ammunition.  Information obtained after the arrests led investigators to believe that Mancil and Dryden may have been plotting to damage a research facility in Alaska.

The investigation into the activities of Mancil and Dryden and their subsequent arrests were the result of the collaboration of all of the participating local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. 

This is an active and ongoing investigation and anyone with information should contact the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office (912-292-2100) or the GBI Region 4 Office (912-389-4103).

Contact: SAC Mark A. Pro or ASAC Cyrus Purdiman | (912) 389-4103