Three drug interdiction dismissal letters filed earlier this year
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WASHINGTON COUNTY — With the intergovernmental agreement for the drug interdiction unit between Washington and Monroe County sheriff’s offices being approved by Washington County Board last month, the newspaper filed a FOIA request for dismissal letters involving cases when the unit was previously in place.
There were three dismissal letters filed earlier this year involving cases when the drug interdiction unit was previously in place from October 2023 to February 2025.
Justin Jeffers, 36, of Charleston, South Carolina, was arrested on a charge of possession of meth less than five grams, a Class 3 felony, on Jan. 28, 2025. Jeffers appeared in court via Zoom from Washington County Jail with Public Defender Dennis Hatch present. Jeffers was informed of the charge, possible sentences and his rights. Conditions of release were imposed by agreement and a preliminary hearing was set for March 25. In March, at the request of the law enforcement department, this matter was dismissed with leave to reinstate as additional information was gathered.
In a criminal forfeiture of seized property case involving Zeng Huang, Huang appeared in court with counsel via Zoom on Dec. 31, 2024. The court inquired on the need for an interpreter for Huang and it was stated that an interpreter was not necessary. Testimony was presented and the court found that there was probable cause to believe that the US currency may be subject to forfeiture. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office maintained possession during the pendency of the case. A forfeiture hearing was set for Feb. 19. Monroe County State’s Attorney Ryan Webb and Washington County State’s Attorney Crystal May appeared in court and Huang appeared in court in person with counsel. Additionally, a Mandarin interpreter was present via Zoom. Testimony and evidence was presented and the case was continued. In April, due to a settlement agreement, the case was dismissed.
On Feb. 6, 2024, Janson D. Ragland, 43, of Marietta, Georgia, was arrested on a charge of cannabis trafficking more than 5,000 grams, a Class X felony, and possession of cannabis more than 5,000 grams, a Class 1 felony. On Feb. 8, 2024, Ragland appeared in court in the custody of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and was arraigned on the charge. Public Defender Dennis Hatch was present and a not guilty plea was entered by the court.
On April 30, 2024, Ragland appeared in court via Zoom with counsel in-person. The state’s attorney made an offer that Ragland was considering. On Oct. 29, 2024, Ragland appeared in court via Zoom with counsel in-person. An argument was presented on the state’s attorney’s objection to a motion for supplemental discovery. The court agreed with the state’s attorney in that Ragland’s request was overly broad. The state’s attorney indicated they would speak to officers and see if there is any way of filtering the requested information specific to the defendant or if information within time ranges is the only way to filter. The defendant filed another motion for supplemental discovery. On May 1, due to technical difficulties that prevented being able to provide the information requested in the defendant’s supplemental discovery motion, the case was dismissed with leave to reinstate.
