CHIPLEY, Fla. (WDNews) — A major drug investigation in Washington County has led to multiple arrests after authorities say investigators uncovered a methamphetamine supply network stretching from North Georgia into the Florida Panhandle.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, “King of the Hill” began in March 2025 when the sheriff’s office, working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, launched an extensive investigation into methamphetamine distribution in Washington County.
Investigators identified Wendy Holloway and Issac Noss as primary targets. Authorities said evidence showed Holloway and Noss were the main suppliers of methamphetamine to eastern and central Washington County.
Investigators determined that between March 2025 and June 2026, a period of approximately 16 months, Holloway and Noss were responsible for trafficking an estimated 50 to 70 pounds of methamphetamine into Washington County from the North Georgia and Atlanta area.
According to the sheriff’s office, that assessment was supported by physical evidence, extensive physical surveillance and statements from cooperating witnesses.
Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews said the investigation stands apart from previous large-scale narcotics operations because investigators were able to identify the suspected primary sources of supply operating in Georgia and obtain arrest warrants.
“We’ve worked numerous large-scale investigations,” Crews said during Friday’s news conference. “I think this is probably going to be, in the history of our county, as far as methamphetamine is concerned, is going to be probably the biggest one we’ve been able to do.”
Crews said investigators do not always get the opportunity to work their way up a drug distribution network.
“It’s not every day when we work these investigations to get the main source of supply,” Crews said.
Investigation Reaches North Georgia
According to the sheriff’s office, the two North Georgia defendants were identified as Tekoa Ross and Edgar Soto.
Authorities said Ross and Soto were identified through physical surveillance conducted with law enforcement partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration and assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
“But what we were able to do as a result, and the team standing behind me, is to get to those two guys in North Georgia that was responsible for this amount of weight, pushing that product back into our county,” Crews said. “That’s a major deal.”
“As the sheriff of this county, to be able to get enough evidence to charge those two guys in North Georgia is a big deal in our world,” Crews said.
Three Pounds Seized During Traffic Stop
According to the sheriff’s office, investigators learned June 8 that Holloway and Noss had again traveled to Georgia, where authorities believed they obtained methamphetamine.
During their return to Washington County, Florida Highway Patrol troopers stopped their vehicle for a traffic violation.
Authorities said FHP used a narcotics detection K-9, which alerted to the odor of narcotics. Troopers searched the vehicle and found approximately three pounds of methamphetamine.
“Again, on its way right here to Washington County,” Crews said during the news conference.
Investigators said they were also able to identify co-conspirators and develop evidence to charge them with crimes related to the alleged conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine into Washington County.
Multiagency Sweep Conducted Thursday
On Thursday, Sept. 10, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, FDLE, Chipley Police Department, DEA, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshals conducted a sweep of suspects connected to the investigation.
According to the sheriff’s office, arrests were made based on warrants issued as a result of the case.
“How many lives have been affected in our communities by the amount of meth brought into our county?” Crews said.
Crews said investigators have identified additional suspected methamphetamine dealers as a result of the investigation.
“We have identified several other meth dealers in our county as a result of this investigation,” Crews said. “Our next step will be what we refer to as ‘spin off investigations’ to go after the next round of dealers.”
Crews also warned that the investigation’s lengthy timeline should serve as a warning to others involved in distributing methamphetamine.
“Just because we don’t show up this month and arrest you, or maybe in six months we don’t show up and arrest you, I just told you this is basically 19 months of investigative work, and we’re to the end on this case,” Crews said.
“I wouldn’t let your guard down,” he added. “Six months or a year from now, we may be back up here doing this again. And I hope not.”
Sheriff Offers Help for Addiction
Crews also encouraged people struggling with addiction to seek help through the sheriff’s office.
“If you need help, we’ve got people that is employed here at this sheriff’s office,” Crews said. “Their primary responsibility is to help those that’s got an addiction problem. And all you got to do is reach out.”
Crews said the position has been in place for about two to two and a half years, and the sheriff’s office has helped an estimated 80 to 100 people enter rehabilitation facilities.
“We deal with families every single week,” Crews said. “And we’ll help you too.”
Suspects and Charges
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, those charged include:
Brittany Busby: Possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine; unlawful use of a two-way communication device; and tampering with evidence, all third-degree felonies.
Steven Davis: Conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine, 14 to 28 grams, a first-degree felony; sale of methamphetamine, a second-degree felony; and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, a third-degree felony.
William Foxworth: Conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine, 28 to 200 grams, a first-degree felony; unlawful use of a two-way communication device and money laundering, both third-degree felonies.
Kristianne Gilbert: Conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine, 28 to 200 grams, a first-degree felony; and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, a third-degree felony.
Wendy Holloway: Two counts of conspiracy to traffic in more than 400 grams of methamphetamine; one count involving more than 200 grams; five counts involving 28 to 200 grams; and one count involving 14 to 28 grams, all first-degree felonies. Holloway also faces eight counts of unlawful use of a two-way communication device and four counts of money laundering, all third-degree felonies.
Frankie Isbell: Conspiracy to the sale and/or delivery of methamphetamine, a second-degree felony; and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, a third-degree felony.
Jeffery James: Conspiracy to traffic in 14 to 28 grams of methamphetamine, a first-degree felony; and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, a third-degree felony.
Issac Noss: Two counts of conspiracy to traffic in more than 400 grams of methamphetamine; conspiracy to traffic 28 to 200 grams; and conspiracy to traffic 14 to 28 grams, all first-degree felonies. Noss also faces conspiracy to the sale and/or delivery of methamphetamine, a second-degree felony, and three counts of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, third-degree felonies.
Janice Obryan: Conspiracy to traffic in 28 to 200 grams of methamphetamine, a first-degree felony; and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, a third-degree felony.
Tekoa Ross: Two counts of conspiracy to traffic in more than 400 grams of methamphetamine, first-degree felonies; two counts of unlawful use of a two-way communication device and two counts of money laundering, third-degree felonies.
Frank Rowell: Conspiracy to traffic in more than 200 grams of methamphetamine, a first-degree felony; unlawful use of a two-way communication device and money laundering, third-degree felonies.
William Henry Rowell: Conspiracy to traffic in more than 200 grams of methamphetamine, a first-degree felony; unlawful use of a two-way communication device and money laundering, third-degree felonies.
Edgar Soto: Conspiracy to traffic in more than 400 grams of methamphetamine, a first-degree felony; and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, a third-degree felony.
James Stone: Conspiracy to traffic in 28 to 200 grams of methamphetamine, a first-degree felony; and money laundering, a third-degree felony.
Christopher Vaughn: Conspiracy to traffic in 28 to 200 grams of methamphetamine, a first-degree felony; and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, a third-degree felony.
Local, State and Federal Agencies Involved
Crews thanked members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the numerous agencies that contributed to the investigation.
“First and foremost, I want to thank the members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, from everybody that answered the phone to the boots on the ground, the late nights and the weekends that you all worked to bring this case to fruition,” Crews said.
Participating agencies included the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Attorney General’s Office, FDLE, 14th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, Chipley Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, DEA Tampa Field Division, DEA Jacksonville office, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and Northwest Georgia Drug Task Force.
Image Source – Washington County Sheriff’s Office
Image Source – Washington County Sheriff’s Office
Image Source – Washington County Sheriff’s Office
