Police: Drug deals at Savage Fitness Evolution caught on camera

Authorities found $2,800 worth of meth, multiple drug-related objects and more than $45,000 in cash at Savage Fitness Evolution gym, according to today's testimony in Recorder's Court.

Former NFL player Dantrell Savage, who owns the 33rd Street gym, pleaded not guilty to possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and possession of drug-related objects. Jessie James Smith, who was also charged in the case, pleaded not guilty to the same charges in addition to two counts of selling methamphetamine.

Columbus Police Cpl. Vince Dragnett said he met with a male confidential informant in September who purchased meth and heroine from Smith, aka "Jet," and Savage, aka "T."

Dragnett said officials had the informant conduct "two separate buys" in October at Savage Fitness Evolution. In the first "buy," the informant purchased meth from Smith around Oct. 7 in the gym's garage area. 

"During that buy, on the surveillance footage, you can see Mr. Savage walking directly next to where the transaction was happening while it was happening," Dragnett said.

About 10 to 12 days later, the confidential informant purchased more meth from Smith, 50, of Columbus while the two were camera, police testified. Though Savage, 30, of Columbus wasn't captured in that video, authorities said Smith did mention him.

Once Smith received the money, he said he needed to go see "T," Dragnett testified. 

Police said they issued two sale of methamphetamine warrants for Smith and a search warrant for Savage Fitness Evolution based on those two transactions. 

Officials executed the search warrant around 4 p.m. Tuesday and found Savage and Smith on the scene.

"Savage was seen standing next to a desk in the gym area, and he made a movement toward the desk," Dragnett testified. "It appeared as if he was either reaching for something or withdrawing something."

Afterward, police immediately arrested Savage and searched the desk area. They found a clear plastic sandwich bag with 1.8 grams of suspected meth about 2 feet away from a cardboard box filled with $44,500 in cash, Dragnett stated.

"Savage made a statement where he said the money came from a settlement from an accident that he had," Dragnett stated.

Police said they found Savage's accident report and more of his personal belongs in the desk.

Smith, who identified himself as a Savage Fitness Evolution employee, was detained in the gym's garage area, Dragnett said.

"[Smith] had a glass methamphetamine smoking device, which was located on the floor directly where the person was detained," Dragnett told the judge. "He was immediately arrested on the two outstanding warrants."

Officials continued to search the establishment.

In a garage and paint shop area directly behind the gym, authorities found a black bag that contained a wallet filled with $1,448 in cash and Savage's driver's license, Dragnett testfied.

Dragnett said police found a black digital scale in the gym storage area and another one in the bathroom cabinet. He mentioned a third scale in the arrest reports but not during the hearing.

"Above the bathroom, we located a large yellow flashlight," Dragnett stated. "Within that flashlight in the battery department area, we located a clear plastic bag containing about 26.2 of suspected methamphetamine."

Toward the counter top area in between a makeshift closet and the bathroom, officials located three red boxes containing the same type of sandwich bags found near Savage and in the flashlight.

"There was another glass suspected methamphetamine smoking device located upstairs of what I refer to as the living area," the officer said.

Police said they seized 28 grams of meth and $45,968 in cash and multiple digital scales found during their search of Savage Fitness Evolution.

When investigators questioned the suspects at Columbus Public Safety Center, both denied "any knowledge of any narcotic activity in the area," Dragnett said. In court, Smith claimed all of the meth and drug-related objects.

Judge Michael Joyner issued Savage bonds totaling $10,250 based on the police testimony and the defendant's lack of criminal history. He denied Smith bond because of his prior convictions.

According to previous Ledger-Enquirer reports, Savage was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State. He played with the Chiefs for two seasons, mostly serving on special teams before getting cut in March 2010.

Savage, a Jordan High graduate, was signed to the Carolina Panthers in August 2010 but cut before the 2010-11 season started.

Staff writer Kevin Price contributed to this report.

— Sarah is a crime and safety reporter at The Ledger-Enquirer. You can contact her on Twitter at @SarahR_92.

This story was originally published October 29, 2015 at 1:00 PM with the headline "Police: Drug deals at Savage Fitness Evolution caught on camera ."