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RED BAY-On January 22,2025 a joint multi-jurisdictional investigation was initiated by a Lawrence County Drug Task Force agent. The investigation consisted of a planned drug operation where approximately 1 pound of Cocaine was being delivered from West Point, MS to Red Bay, AL.
When the operation was placed in motion all agencies cooperated seamlessly to address the delivery of the cocaine. The suspect in the operation was Darius Jones from West Point, MS. When Jones arrived at the delivery location he was taken into custody. Two other adults were in the vehicle with him: Stephanie Wofford of Houston, MS and James Smith of West Point, MS. Smith was found to have a loaded handgun on his person at the time he was taken into custody. Wofford had a 2-year-old grandchild also in the vehicle not secured in a child safety seat. DHR was notified to address the situation with the child and all adults were taken into custody.
All persons were safely secured without incident. A k9 was deployed on the vehicle which gave an alert to the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle. The subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a plastic bag among other bags of items in the trunk area, that contained approximately 1 pound of suspected Cocaine.
All agencies involved deserve recognition for the work that was done to ensure that the operation was carried out safely and successfully. We thank:
Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Lawrence County Drug Task Force, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Russellville Police Department, Red Bay Police Department, Itawamba County Sheriff’s Office (MS).
Darius Jones was charged with Drug Trafficking – Cocaine (28 grams or above), Chemical Endangerment of a child, Giving false name/identification to Law Enforcement.
Stephanie Wofford was charged with Drug Trafficking- Cocaine (28 grams or above), Chemical Endangerment of a child.
James Daryl Smith was charged with Drug Trafficking – Cocaine (28 grams or above), Chemical Endangerment of a child, Certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm, Possession of an Altered firearm (altered serial number), Possession of controlled substance (Buprenorphine sublingual strips), a second Possession of controlled substance (having controlled substance in medicine bottle labeled for different substance)
All persons were booked into the Franklin County Detention Center. Darius Jones’ was given a $100,000 cash bond. Stephanie Wofford was given a $100,000 cash bond.
Media Release/Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
