Cocaine bust in Jackson County

GREENWOOD - A crack dealer was arrested during a traffic stop in Jackson County on Saturday, authorities said, and his father-in-law also was arrested when he confronted deputies on the roadside.

On Saturday, Oct. 24, Micheal Fizgerald Jackson, 31, of Greenwood, was arrested during a traffic stop on outstanding warrants for the sale of cocaine, according to a news release. Authorities said Jackson has long been a substantial dealer of crack cocaine in Jackson County.

A search warrant was served at Jackson's residence, 5543 Prairieview Road, and during the coarse of the search money, drugs and weapons were seized along with seven vehicles. Jackson was booked into the Jackson County Jail to await first appearance on his charges.

During the arrest, Jackson’s father-in-law, Willie Hall, came to the location of the traffic stop driving in a reckless manor, the release said. Hall allegedly exited his vehicle and began shouting obscenities at officers, threatening their safety and impeding their investigation. Officers requested that Hall leave the scene multiple times, but he did not leave.

When officers attempted to place Hall under arrest, he struggled before finally being placed in handcuffs, the release said. Hall was charged with resisting an officer without violence and was taken to the Jackson County Jail to await first appearance.

Gianna R. Simmons, 39, of 4240 Vallie Road in Marianna, was also arrested on charges of sale of cocaine, the release said. Simmons was found to be in possession of about $1,000 worth of crack cocaine and multiple devices used to smoke crack cocaine, according to authorities. In addition to outstanding warrants on Simmons, she was also charged with possession of controlled substance, cocaine, with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was booked into the Jackson County Jail to await first appearance.

The arrests concluded a long-term investigation into the sale of crack cocaine in Jackson County, according to authorities, and involved the Jackson County Drug Task Force along with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Florida Highway Patrol Contraband Interdiction Unit.The Jackson County Drug Task Force is the combined effort of the Cottondale Police Department, Graceville Police Department, Marianna Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.