Ten Arrested After Search Warrants Executed at Heritage House

Ten people are in custody after Greensboro police executed five search warrants at the Heritage House Apartments earlier today. 

   Police arrived at 310 W. Meadowview Road at approximately 10:30 a.m. to simultaneously and swiftly serve the warrants at five residences. The warrants followed lengthy investigations to establish probable cause that the searches were justified and that the sought-after evidence was in the residences. Police also searched the building’s common areas for illegal and dangerous items, which are where they are often discarded or hidden when police enter the premises.

   “We are committed to making the Heritage House a safer place for people to live,” said Captain Shon F. Barnes who commands the Southern Patrol Division. “School age children live in this building and they deserve to grow up in an environment that is drug-free. Elderly people live in this building and they deserve to live their lives in peace.”

As a result of these searches, the following ten persons were taken into custody:

George Knotts Jr, 46, and Shantelle Mungo El-Saidi, 41, were arrested from apartment 514. Knotts is charged with Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Maintaining a Dwelling for the Sale of a Controlled Substance, Conspiracy to Sell/Deliver Marijuana, and Selling Alcoholic Beverages Without a Permit. El-Saidi faces charges of Possession of Drug paraphernalia, Conspiracy to Sell/Deliver Marijuana, Maintaining a Dwelling for the Sale of a Controlled Substance, and Selling Alcoholic Beverages Without a Permit.

Jason Fullwood, 35, 829 W. Terrell St, was arrested from Apartment 308. He is charged with Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Maintaining a Dwelling for the Sale of a Controlled Substance, and Manufacture of a Schedule II Controlled Substance.

Antoine Juan Lattimore, 40, of Apartment 308. He faces two counts of Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana, one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Maintaining a Dwelling for the Sale of a Controlled Substance, Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Crack Cocaine, and Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance.

Noel Timothy Wooten, 57, Geraldine McClelland Bennette, 59, Sheldon Lezelle Alston, 54, and Shawn Gerard Harrison, 46, were taken into custody from apartment 316. Wooten is charged with Maintaining a Dwelling for the Sale of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, and Possession of Marijuana. Bennette and Alston are each charged with Maintaining a Dwelling for the Sale of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance. Harrison is charged is Second Degree Trespass. He was also was served with two Orders for Arrest: Consuming Malt Beverage on Premises; and, Resisting a Public Officer.

Richard Alan Jackson, 35, and Raymond Bruce Wilson, 48, were taken into custody form apartment 605. Wilson is charged with Maintaining a Dwelling for the Sale of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance. Jackson faces a misdemeanor charge of Possession of Marijuana.

The six-story 177-unit Heritage House, which is located in Barnes’ patrol division, had more than 1,200 police calls for service in 2013. Of those calls, approximately 150 were narcotics related, and 178 were in reference to disorderly persons or crowds.

To address these crime and disorder issues, Barnes implemented a problem-oriented policing strategy that included more police presence and increased involvement from residents and landlords. “This sounds like a simple strategy,” said Barnes. “And it is simple in theory  -  but not so easy in practice. It has taken us a while to develop relationships with some of the people who live in the Heritage House. We’ve had to get back to basics; back to foot patrols; back to walking the hallways and talking to people and hearing about what’s important to them. Based on those conversations, we can take action and improve their quality of life.”

Greensboro police, along with other City agencies, have been working to address community concerns about the Heritage House for several years.  Most notably, beginning in 2012, City staff increased its emphasis on code compliance through a series on on-going inspections, re-inspections, and enforcement measures.

Also contributing to today’s operation at the Heritage House were: Greensboro Fire Department, Guilford County Sheriff’s Department, Guilford County Emergency Services Department, Child Response Initiative, Greensboro Police Department Family Victims’ Unit.