Drug Task Force Logs First 'Molly' Bust in Bartow, Arrests 7

Bartow-Cartersville Drug Task Force agents, who help comprise the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Safe Streets Task Force, say they've made first seizure in Bartow County's of a drug commonly referred to as "Molly," a form of MDMA or ecstasy with a chemical make-up similar to that of methamphetamine.

DTF Commander Capt. Mark Mayton said in a press release the investigation stemming from allegations of illegal drug activity in Cartersville began about a month ago and culminated Tuesday with a a traffic stop conducted by DTF interdiction officers on Interstate 75. 

The stop resulted in the arrest of Christopher Lee Willingham on a possession of marijuana charge and, subsequently, agents executed a search warrant at his 49 Benefield Circle home in Cartersville. 

Six additional people were arrested and, during the search, agents seized what they called large quantities of Molly, high-grade marijuana and a firearm.  

Agents, who are Bartow County Sheriff's Office deputies and Cartersville Police Department officers, are still following information gathered during the investigation and expect more arrests in the near future, the release says.

The seven people arrested were jailed on the following charges:

• Christopher Lee Willingham, 24, of 49 Benefield Circle, Cartersville, was charged with trafficking ecstasy, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana less than 1 ounce, sell of marijuana, possession of a firearm during a drug felony and window tint violation.

• Brandon Shea Etheridge, 18, of 49 Benefield Circle, Cartersville, was charged with trafficking ecstasy, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm during a drug felony.

• Dylan Cade Williams, 18, of 17 Crimson Hill Drive, Rydal Georgia charged with trafficking ecstasy, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm during a drug felony.

• Samuel Lawrence Ayers, 18, of 411 Wilderness Camp Road, White, was charged with trafficking ecstasy, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm during a drug felony.

• Dustin Bradley Bush, 18, of 226 Pine Street, Atlanta, was charged with trafficking ecstasy, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm during a drug felony.

• Timothy Glen Etheridge, 54, of 49 Benefield Circle, Cartersville, was charged with possession of marijuana less than 1 ounce.

• Christi Lynn Etheridge, 49, of 49 Benefield Circle, Cartersville, was charged with possession of marijuana less than 1 ounce.

Tell us what you think in the comments, share your photos and videos, and don’t miss any of the local news you care about—subscribe to Cartersville Patch's newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.