Authorities end months-long investigation with arrest

The largest methamphetamine dealer in Butler County has a new form of identity — inmate No. 7051.

Roger Donell Armstrong, of McKenzie, was arrested at his McKenzie residence on Dec. 17, and charged with unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, trafficking and possession of methamphetamine.

Butler County Sheriff Kenny Harden, along with Greenville Police Chief Lonzo Ingram, said in a press conference on Monday that officers with the 2nd District Drug Task Force, the GPD, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the BCSO and McKenzie Police Department, executed a search warrant on Armstrong’s home at 26 North Street in McKenzie.

“It was a good day in Butler County,” Harden said. “By executing the search warrant, we were able to take off (of the streets) the largest (methamphetamine) dealer we have in Butler County.”

Harden said the DTF has been working for “several months” on the case, “making buys from (Armstrong).”

By arresting Armstrong, authorities were able to ascertain who his supplier was.

“When you make an arrest like this, many times it spreads out to other people being arrested,” Ingram said. “That was the case in this investigation. By arresting this individual (Armstrong), we were able to take down his supplier in Georgia just across the Georgia line. He came and made a delivery, of course he thought he was going to be delivering it to someone else, but he delivered it to the DEA agents, which caused him to be arrested.

“He had 13 ounces of meth on him,” the chief said. “He had meth, a gun and a certain amount of cash. This kind of stuff spreads out. When you’re able to arrest one here, many times you’re able to arrest someone else another place.”

According to Harden, Armstrong was selling between 4 to 8 ounces of meth a week.

“He was picking up two to three times a week at 4 ounces at a time,” Harden said. “That’s a large amount of methamphetamine.”

Harden and Ingram said the supplier’s 13 ounces of meth has a street value of $36,000, or $100 per gram.

This case is a good example of how a joint effort can result in lessening crime in the county, Harden said.

“Working together, we’ve been able to cut down on crimes in Butler County,” Harden said. “Drugs play a big role anywhere. By working hard at what we do, we are able to cut down on crime.”