By Joe Johnson
A couple from Madison County reportedly were arrested in Athens this week when police found drugs and a gun in their car while their young children were with them.
Mayati Davante Rucker, 30, and Heaven Rucker, 26, both of Pine Avenue in Comer, were each charged with three counts of second-degree cruelty to children, and single counts of conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substances Act and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Mayati Rucker was additionally charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to State and Superior Court records, he has a history of felony and misdemeanor convictions dating to 2010, when he had an address on Sayemore Drive in Athens.
The Ruckers were arrested on Wednesday outside of Sam’s Club on Atlanta Highway as the result of an investigation by the Northeast Georgia Drug Task Force, according to Lt. Jody Thompson, public information officer for the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.
“Officers made contact with them in the parking lot and a quantity of cocaine and a firearm were located in the vehicle. During this time, three small children were in the car," he said Friday morning, explaining he was able to summarize the arrests from 911/dispatch notes.
Thompson said that he was unable to provide further information because the incident report had yet to be approved for public release.