A 18-year-old Carrollton man who was recently acquitted of murder has been arrested along with four other men on drug charges early Wednesday morning.

As the result of an ongoing drug investigation, Varion “Snoopy” Shell, 18, was arrested Wednesday and charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, misdemeanor possession of marijuana and possession of ecstasy. Kevin Mitchell and Darrell Williams, both 18 and of Carrollton, were arrested with Shell; both were charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Later in the day, Shell’s roommate, Glen Jackson, 28, was arrested and charged with obstruction of a law enforcement officer, misdemeanor possession of marijuana, possession of powder cocaine and possession of ecstasy.

Shell was one of nine defendants charged in connection with an armed robbery and fatal shooting at Lot 71 in Elizabeth Village on July 19, 2006. One shot killed Paolo Cabanas, 35, and another pierced the legs of Sabrina Montsivais, who was 9 at the time and being babysat along with her siblings by Cabanas that night.

Two other men were wounded during the shooting: Cabanas’ husband, Jorge Espinosa, was grazed by a bullet, and his brother Pedro Espinosa was shot in the leg.

Shell, who was 16 at the time of the crime, was found not guilty of a number of serious charges “ including murder, aggravated assault and armed robbery “ in November 2007. He was convicted of possessing a gun underage and was sentenced to serve 12 months - which had been served during his incarceration while waiting for the trial.

Defense attorney Samuel Rael said during the case that Shell was young, a follower and not capable of plotting or executing the crimes.

Carrollton Police Capt. Chris Dobbs said the police had received information about a house on North Cliff Road where drug activity was going on. Officers were on the street early Wednesday morning and had information about a car that might have drugs in it, according to Dobbs.

“They were sitting on a house they knew was selling drugs,” he said. “There was a car that possibly had dope in it.”

Dobbs said police saw a car on North Cliff Road matching a description they had, and an officer pulled it over. Shell, Mitchell and Williams were allegedly inside.

According to Dobbs, Shell ran and was tracked to his mother’s house on Wrenwood Lane.

Officers allegedly found a medicine bottle full of crack cocaine and a small amount of marijuana in the car.

Later that same day, officers spotted Jackson’s car at the Royal Inn on North Park Street. When he was approached by officers, Jackson allegedly ran, but was caught. He allegedly had marijuana on him and scales with traces of cocaine on them.

“Once they got him, they went and got a search warrant,” Dobbs said. A search of Shell’s and Jackson’s home allegedly turned up ecstasy.

In other law enforcement news:

A man who authorities say tried to steal a four-wheeler in Carrollton picked the wrong man to rob. According to Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, Gary Lee Ford tried to rip off a fitness buff, who was able to chase and detain him.

Ford, 26, of Lithia Springs was arrested Wednesday and charged with theft by taking and violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act.

According to Capt. Shane Taylor, a 27-year-old Spring Lane resident was out jogging around noon when he passed a man - later identified as Ford - standing on the side of the road. As the jogger ran by, Ford allegedly lifted up his shirt, revealing a pistol and said, “You got a problem? You want some of this?”

Taylor said the man finished his run and was lifting weights in his backyard when Ford knocked on the man’s door and asked his wife where the other man was. Ford then allegedly started a four-wheeler owned by the couple’s son and attempted to drive away. The alleged victim, who boxes as a hobby, confronted Ford, and a fight started, Taylor said.

“The offender swung at him and he defended himself really well,” Taylor said.

Ford allegedly got up and ran away, but the victim caught him again and took him down.

“Thinking he got all the fight out of him, he ran back to his house to call 911,” Taylor said.

When deputies arrived, Ford was gone, but they found him in the neighborhood, Taylor said. Deputies did not find the pistol the man reported seeing, but they allegedly found a clip for a gun in Ford’s pocket.

“There are no charges against the victim for protecting his property,” Taylor said.

Ford had been released on a bond from jail April 14 on charges of battery under the Family Violence Act, false imprisonment and cruelty to children.

“Due to the violent nature of both these crimes in the past two weeks, the sheriff’s office will attempt to get his bond revoked,” Taylor said.

After allegedly fleeing a fight, a suspect got into an accident and was arrested on traffic charges, according to authorities.

Dewayne Smith, 28, is facing various charges from the Georgia State Patrol. According to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were responding to a report of Smith assaulting another man when he got into a traffic accident.

According to a sheriff’s office report, deputies were called to a house on Whitney Lane in Villa Rica on Wednesday around 10:30 p.m. Smith and another man had been drinking, and Smith allegedly sucker-punched the other man in the face. He also allegedly punched the man’s wife, who attempted to break up the fight.

According to authorities, Smith drove off in his truck before law enforcement arrived, but while deputies were talking to witnesses, the GSP called in the accident involving Smith’s truck.