Tommy Francis Jr.

THOMASVILLE — A citizen witnessing and reporting a drug deal resulted in two arrests and confiscation of marijuana at the scene and ecstasy at the Thomas County Jail.

Late Friday afternoon, the Thomas County/Thomasville Narcotics/Vice Division received a call from someone who had witnessed a drug deal at a service station in the 13000 block of U.S. 19 South. The caller provided a description of the people, the vehicle and the direction of travel.

“He saw the drugs,” Louis Schofill, narcotics/vice commander, said.

A narcotics agent in the area saw the vehicle leaving the service station and head south on 19.

The agent followed the Chevrolet SUV to the intersection of 19 and Woodruff Farm Road, where the SUV made a U-turn and headed north on 19.

The vehicle, which would not pull over, drove into a parking lot at the rear of a store in the 13000 block of the U.S. highway.

Said Schofill, “Agents were immediately familiar with the occupants because of past dealings.”

As Tommy Francis Jr. exited the passenger side of the SUV, he attempted to throw down a bag of marijuana. The bag contained close to two ounces of marijuana, a felony amount, according to authorities.

“Francis also had digital scales in his pocket,” Schofill said.

The driver, Quinton Ahmad Tillman, and Francis also were in possession of open containers of beer. The suspects were taken to the jail and searched.

“Tillman attempted to conceal an amount of ecstasy hidden in his sock. An alert jailer noticed him trying to conceal something,” Schofill said.

Tillman, 33, 115 Hopkins St., is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of ecstasy with intent to distribute, possession of both drugs within 1,000 feet of a city park and bringing drugs across guard line.

Francis, 35, 1720 S. Pinetree Blvd., Lot 33, is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of ecstasy with intent to distribute and possession of both drugs within 1,000 feet of a city park .

Tillman and Francis were denied bond and remain behind bars.

Both suspects are on probation for similar drug offenses.

Francis had $16,000 in cash on his person when he was arrested on a drug charge two years ago, a narcotics agent said.

 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820