TRU Enterprise owner and brother arrested for drug, gun possession, evidence tampering

Published 5:35 pm Thursday, May 12, 2022

Investigators with the LaGrange Police Department arrested, Theron Truitt, 47, owner of TRU Enterprise in LaGrange, and his brother, Sylvester Gates, 58, for a series of drug and gun possession and trafficking charges, according to a press release.

On Thursday, members of LPD’s Special Investigation Unit executed a search warrant at 803 E. Depot Street, home of Sylvester Gates of LaGrange, stemming from a five-week long drug investigation. Upon arriving at the residence, Investigators found Gates and Truitt also of LaGrange, on the front porch.

Investigator Dorsey with the LaGrange Police Department confirmed Thursday Truitt is the owner of TRU Enterprise on E. Depot Street.

Truitt allegedly took flight inside the residence where he entered the bathroom and was able to flush suspected drug contraband down the toilet, according to the press release.

During a search of the residence, investigators located an amount of crack cocaine indicative of distribution, approximately 1 pound of marijuana packaged for resale and a bag of blue M-30 pills. These pills are commonly referred to as “Roxies” or “Roxicontin” and are made to look like prescription Oxycodone 30 mg tablets; however they are illegally manufactured laced with Fentanyl. Gates, who is a convicted felon, was also in possession of a 380 caliber handgun and a shotgun that he illegally possessed due to his felon status.

During this investigation, investigator’s utilized resources from the City of LaGrange Water Department and were able to retrieve the items Truitt was seen flushing at the time this warrant was served. The items that were retrieved consisted of a second bag of M-30 Fentanyl laced pills, as well as a quantity of crack cocaine indicative of distribution.

At the conclusion of this warrant, Truitt was charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, trafficking fentanyl, tampering with evidence, obstruction of a police officer, and making a false statement.

Gates was charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, trafficking fentanyl, and making a false statement and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

They were both transported to the Troup County Jail where they are being held.