A counselor at AMIkids and his brother were arrested Aug. 19 and accused of planning to sell drugs to youths at the school.
A staff member overhead some of the students discussing drugs coming into the facility that night and called authorities. The Screven County Sheriff’s Department and Sylvania Police Department worked with AMIkids staff to intercept the drugs and make the arrests.
Antwon Deangelo Johnson, 26, of Newington Highway, arrived at work that Thursday in a 1996 Cutlass Supreme, along with his brother, Loverious Fleepa Johnson, 32, of Lawton Road, said Investigator Michael Duncan of the sheriff’s department.
A search of the vehicle uncovered about 2 grams of powder and crack cocaine, a digital measuring scale and a razor blade, Duncan said. Seven small plastic bags with marijuana, known as “nickel bags,” were found when Antwon Johnson’s house, on Newington Highway, was searched, the investigator said.
Antwon Johnson was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and crossing guard lines prohibited. Loverious Johnson was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and crossing guard lines prohibited.
Duncan commended the AMIkids staff for their role in the investigation. “They called us,” he said. “They assisted us. We were able to stop them (the drugs) before they made it into the facility.”
He said a drug dog did a search of the school after the arrests were made and no drugs were found.
“It was a great job done,” said Sheriff Mike Kile. “I hope we don’t have any more problems out there.”
The residential program for juvenile offenders formerly was known as the Savannah River Challenge.