Court: Drugs found in woman’s book bag after Oates Avenue raid

Two of the three suspects charged in the Oates Avenue drug raid where a man was shot by a Metro Narcotics Task Force agent appeared in Recorder’s Court Friday morning.

Co-defendants Twain Griffis, 48, of Columbus, and Sarah A. Jones, 33, of Cataula, faced multiple charges after the 6:30 a.m. search at 4218 Oates Ave. Thomas Wrenn, 33, of Columbus was absent from the preliminary hearing after posting a $250 bond on a related charge of possession of a drug-related object.

Columbus Detective Ivan Rome said he and other agents with the Metro Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant at the residence after a “controlled purchase” was made there.

Authorities said at least nine people were inside the home when they knocked and announced the search warrant. Russell Napier, who is still wanted on a warrant for the sale of methamphetamine, was one of three who fled out the back door, according to police.

Agents found a locked bedroom door as they were moving through the house and identifying themselves as police officers. After forcing open the door, an agent from the from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office encountered Brian Napier, who officials said charged the agent.

Authorities said the agent, whose name hasn’t been released, then fired his weapon, striking the man with a grazing wound to his left arm. Napier was transported to the Midtown Medical Center but has since been released from the hospital.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in after the shooting to investigate, which is normal protocol in officer-involved shootings.

Rome told the court that Griffis, Jones and Wrenn were among the five other people found inside the Oates Avenue home.

“After a brief conversation, Ms. Jones acknowledged the fact that she had stayed there for a few days,” the detective testified. “We allowed her to positively identify her personal belongs.”

Jones, who police identified as Wrenn’s girlfriend, claimed “several items” on the coffee table in addition to a backpack, according to police.

Rome said there were three smoking devices in “plain view” among her property on the coffee table and two “small baggies” containing methamphetamine residue in the backpack.

She was charged with possession of a drug-related object and possession of a small amount of methamphetamine, which she pleaded not guilty to during Friday’s hearing.

“I had no idea that there were any drugs or drugs paraphernalia inside of my book bag,” Jones told Judge Michael Cielinski. “ I don’t know how they got there, sir.”

Authorities said Griffis, who pleaded guilty to obstruction, fled from law enforcement as they executed the search warrant but was arrested on outstanding warrants.

Wrenn also was in possession of a glass smoking device during the search, according to police.

Jones was awarded bonds totaling $3,000, while Griffis was given a $500 bond.

All charges were bound over to Superior Court.

This story was originally published March 25, 2016 at 1:07 PM with the headline "Court: Drugs found in woman’s book bag after Oates Avenue raid."