Beverage Barn is target of drug raid

By Jeff Waters, Democrat Reporter

Sat, May 17 2008

— jeff.waters@gaflnews.com

The Suwannee County Drug Task Force arrested a local man for selling drugs out of the Beverage Barn on North Ohio Tuesday.
Robert Paul Dudley, 25, of 11068 89th Road, an employee of the Beverage Barn, was arrested for possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana with the intent to sell, possession of cocaine with the intent to sell, money laundering, possession of marijuana with the intent to sell, the selling of less than 20 grams of marijuana, possession of cannabis with the intent to sell, the sale of cannabis, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana with the intent to sell and the sale of less than 20 grams of marijuana.
Also arrested were Beverage Barn owners Cheryl Ann Evans, 51, and Clyde Stanley Evans, 50, both of 21385 126th Place. Cheryl Ann Evans was charged with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana. Clyde Stanley Evans was charged with possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana with intent to sell. Officials say the Evanses were not selling marijuana out of the store.
Cheryl and Clyde Evans both said they were suspicious of Dudley, according to Lt. Tom Warren of the sheriff's office and the task force, but did not know he was selling marijuana out of the store.
Sheriff Tony Cameron said Clyde Evans was charged with intent to sell due to the way the pot was packaged when found.
Dudley was selling to friends at first but when word got out that he was selling drugs, people were "just driving in asking for it mostly," said Cameron.
Warren said the investigation had been underway for about a month and a half. He said the task force made at least three controlled buys from Dudley. Warren said Dudley admitted to selling the drugs and said he was responsible for all the drugs sold from out of the business.
Marijuana was found in the store inside a sack in a filing cabinet belonging to Clyde Evans, say authorities. Clyde Evans reportedly admitted to owning the rolled marijuana cigarettes that were found in the bag but said some other marijuana was put there by Dudley, Warren said. Warren also said several rolled marijuana cigarettes were found in Cheryl's purse.
"This is just another effort to clean up the streets of Suwannee County," Cameron said.
All three were arrested and taken to the Suwannee County Jail. The Evanses have been released on bail. As of Thursday morning, Dudley remained in jail on $60,000 bond.

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