Four arrested on drug charges

Published 4:20 pm Thursday, April 6, 2017

Four Cumberland County residents have been charged with allegedly selling drugs on or near school property.

According to Cumberland County Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Seal, the charges stem from the four allegedly selling drugs within 1,000 feet of school property.

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The four face multiple drug charges individually.

Laura Atkinson

Vernon Turner II

Robert Atkinson

Tasha Danyel Garrison, 38, is charged with manufacturing, sale or possession of controlled substances, schedule I or II.

Laura Paige Atkinson, 26, is charged with sale and distribution of marijuana, less than or equal to half an ounce; sale of drugs on or near school property and conspiracy to violate the Drug Control Act.

Vernon Lamarr Turner II, 42, is charged with manufacturing, sale or possession of a controlled substance, schedule I or II, and sale of drugs on or near school property.

Robert Thomas Atkinson, 29, is charged with the sale or distribution of marijuana, less than or equal to half an ounce, sale of drugs on or near school property and conspiracy to violate the Drug Control Act.

Seal said the charges were based on an investigation that police were conducting in connection to reported stolen property from the Exxon gas station at 1611 E. Anderson Hwy.

According to police, Laura Paige Atkinson, who worked at the Exxon, was arrested on March 20 on charges of grand larceny, two counts of petit larceny and purchasing alcohol for unauthorized persons.

Seal said she allegedly stole cigarettes, beer and lottery tickets.

Police had observed Atkinson — on store camera — steal the items. This was in addition, Seal said, to occurrences where police saw “suspicious transactions” take place between her and several others who were later identified, interviewed and questioned.

“Basically all of them admitted to going up there and selling marijuana, methamphetamine also trading marijuana for prescription pills, Adderall,” Seal said.

Seal said he was brought into the investigation following the discovery of narcotics being involved.

Garrison, Turner, Laura Paige Atkinson and Robert Thomas Atkinson had their hearings on Thursday, April 6. Laura Paige Atkinson will have her hearing regarding the grand larceny, two counts of petit larceny and purchasing alcohol for unauthorized persons charges on April 20.