Operation was conducted after law enforcement received multiple tips about suspicious activity
Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis announced the arrest of nine individuals after a joint operation targeted illegal activity in a Goose Creek motel.
The operation was conducted by deputies with the Berkeley County Narcotics Task Force, BCSO Intel Unit, BCSO K9 Unit, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Metro Major Case Unit, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit and officers with the Goose Creek Police Department.
Law enforcement previously conducted surveillance at the Quality Inn at 103 Red Bank Road due to numerous citizen complaints of criminal activity on the property. During the surveillance, significant traffic was observed involving two motel rooms on the property. Agents on the case watched the activity between the rooms and saw many hand-to-hand narcotic transactions.
Deputies and officers conducted several traffic stops in the area of the motel, and five individuals were placed under arrest for various narcotic-related charges. Those arrested were:
- Eddie Mallard, 39, of Nellie Lane in Goose Creek, was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine 28g-100g and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
- Cierra Limehouse, 32, of Old Whitesville Road in Moncks Corner, was arrested and charged with Possession of Cocaine.
- Julia Carlisle, 57, of Old Back River Road in Goose Creek, was arrested and charged with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base.
- Tanesha Jefferson, 42, of Red Bank Road in Goose Creek, was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine.
- Schantrice Rutledge, 42, of Red Bank Road in Goose Creek, was arrested and charged with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base and unlawful conduct toward a child. Rutledge is the mother of the juvenile, who was located in Room 109.
After the surveillance, a search warrant was executed for both motel rooms where the activity was observed. Room 109 was occupied by two individuals, Leroy Cuttino and Sonya Rose (along with a 5-year-old juvenile).
Upon searching room 109, agents located a digital scale, a box of sandwich bags, some cocaine base on a tabletop, one cellphone, one glass pipe, one plastic bag of marijuana, a plastic bag of cocaine base and a plastic bag of cocaine.
Cuttino was placed under arrest for trafficking cocaine base, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, unlawful conduct toward a child, trafficking cocaine base within a half mile of a school and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine within a half mile of a school.
Rose was placed under arrest for trafficking cocaine base, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, trafficking cocaine base within a half mile of a school and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine within a half mile of a School. Cuttino is the father of the 5-year-old child who was in Room 109. The juvenile was released to the family.
Room 106 was occupied by two individuals, later identified as Kemontea Washington and Lucia Cash. Upon searching Room 106, agents located one plastic bag of methamphetamine, one plastic bag of fentanyl and multiple glass pipes. Washington claimed ownership of the methamphetamine and fentanyl. Washington was placed under arrest for trafficking fentanyl, possession of methamphetamine and possession of narcotic paraphernalia. Cash was issued a citation for possession of narcotic paraphernalia.
During the operation, law enforcement recovered approximately 37.1 grams of cocaine base, 38 grams of cocaine, 4.2 grams of fentanyl, 1.8 grams of marijuana and 0.5 grams of methamphetamine. Law enforcement conducted 12 traffic stops and issued three warnings and one citation. Two search warrants were executed, and 16 arrest warrants were issued.
According to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, this operation was made possible by the tips law enforcement received from concerned citizens. It was executed by the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, Goose Creek Police Department, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
