By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Walthourville man faces drug, endangerment charges
MR drug charges at motel
A Walthourville man was arrested and charged with possession of drugs at the Royal Inn Motel. - photo by Photo by Mike Riddle
LUDOWICI — A Walthourville man was charged with four counts of child endangerment this past week, when he was arrested for possession of cocaine at a motel here.
According to Investigator Salvatore Genualdi, the Ludowici PD arrested Edward Holmes after receiving information from an informant Saturday that an individual was selling cocaine from a room at the Royal Inn Motel.
Genualdi said a search warrant was obtained and he and LPD Officers Robert Hoyt and Aaron McElveen contacted the motel owner and obtained a key to the room where the suspected illegal activity was taking place.
At around 2:30 a.m. Genauldi and the other officers entered the room and found Holmes, 28.
Genualdi asked Holmes if he had any crack cocaine, and Holmes reportedly said, “You can search the room.”
At this point Hoyt discovered a jacket with a chewing tobacco can in a pocket. Inside the can was “a small, off-white color rock” that is suspected to be cocaine.
Genualdi said a field test showed the rock to be cocaine.
The investigator said Holmes admitted the apparent cocaine was his, but that his girlfriend, who was in the room, knew nothing about it.
In addition to Holmes’ girlfriend, who was not identified, she also had four children with her, two boys and two girls, ranging in age from 7 to 12.  According to Genualdi, one of the boys and one girl were her children, and the others were a nephew and niece.
Holmes was charged with four counts of child endangerment and one count of possession of cocaine.
Genualdi contacted the Long County Department of Family and Children Services, and a caseworker came to the scene.  
After being briefed, the caseworker decided that with Holmes gone the four could be left with the woman at the motel.
Sign up for our e-newsletters