Albany, GA (May 14, 2020) – On Tuesday, May 12, 2020, the GBI Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office, GBI Special Enforcement Team, Albany Gang Unit, and Georgia State Patrol executed search and arrest warrants at 520 9th Avenue in Albany as part of an ongoing investigation.

Arrested were:

  • James Perk Malone, age 50 – charged with one count of Sale of Controlled Substances, four counts of Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act (V.G.C.S.A), and one count of Possession of Controlled Substances within 1000 feet of a City Park
  • Laura Ann Dungee, age 48 – charged with Keeping and Maintaining Disorderly House

Agents previously conducted a drug related search warrant at this same address on February 21, 2020. During this search warrant, 12 individuals were arrested to include James Malone and Laura Ann Dungee. Both Malone and Dungee were currently out on bond for the previous arrest.

During the course of the investigation, agents made several arrests of individuals who had purchased drugs from 520 9th Avenue. Numerous investigative acts, to include controlled purchases and surveillances were conducted. Agents have observed James Malone distributing drugs from an open shed behind the residence with a burn barrel nearby. On numerous occasions, as law enforcement would approach the area, Malone would destroy evidence by throwing it in the burn barrel.

On May 12, as agents approached the backyard, Malone ran to the burn barrel and threw an object in the fire before he was arrested. Agents discovered prescription pills, methamphetamine, and heroin on a table in the nearby shed in plain view. In addition to the drugs discovered, $15,700.00 in US Currency was found during the search.

The GBI Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office is in Albany, GA and services 42 counties in Southwest Georgia. The office is a collaborative effort between the GBI, Albany Police Department, Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office, Dougherty County Police Department, Turner County Sheriff’s Office, and Dougherty County District Attorney’s Office and is partially funded with Byrne/JAG grant funds.

Contact

Special Agent in Charge Joe Chesnut