Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William D. Crotty



Search Warrant in Georgetown Leads to Arrests for Felony Drug Offenses

Date Posted: Tuesday, March 24th, 2026



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The Delaware State Police have arrested 24-year-old Jahlier Pettyjohn and 35-year-old Gabriella Tambourelli, both from Georgetown, Delaware, for felony drug charges following a search warrant last week in Georgetown.

On March 20, 2026, members of the, Sussex County Drug Unit, Sussex County Governor’s Task Force, the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team, and Georgetown Police Department, executed a search warrant at a property on the 200 block of East North Street in Georgetown. The search warrant was obtained following an investigation of Jahlier Pettyjohn for the distribution of illegal narcotics from the residence. During the search warrant, Pettyjohn was seen exiting the residence through a window but was quickly taken into custody. Gabriella Tambourelli was detained in the residence without incident. A child was also in the residence at the time.

During a search of Pettyjohn, Tambourelli, the residence, and property, detectives found the following items:

  • Approximately 12.02 grams of heroin
  • Approximately 7.94 grams of crack cocaine
  • Approximately 2.74 grams of cocaine
  • 7 Actavis pills (Buprenorphine Hydrochloride)
  • 43 Suboxone films
  • Digital scales
  • Mason jar with cocaine residue
  • Pyrex measuring cup with white powdery residue
  • Microwave with cocaine residue
  • Drug paraphernalia
  • $809.00 is suspected drug proceeds

Pettyjohn was arrested and taken to Troop 4, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $34,000 secured bond.

Jahlier Pettyjohn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Manufacture, Deliver, Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
  • Manufacture, Deliver, Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony)
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 1 (Felony)
  • Unlawful to Knowingly Operate or Attempt to Operate a Clandestine Laboratory (Felony)
  • Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)
  • Endangering the Welfare of a Child by Committing a Drug Offense with Child in the Dwelling
  • Resisting Arrest
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – 2 counts

Tambourelli was arrested and taken to Troop 4, where she was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $17,000 unsecured bond.

Tambourelli

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Unlawful to Knowingly Operate or Attempt to Operate a Clandestine Laboratory (Felony)
  • Maintaining a Drug Property (Felony)
  • Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)
  • Endangering the Welfare of a Child by Committing a Drug Offense with Child in the Dwelling
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – 2 counts
  • Possess, Consume a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone without a Prescription – 4 counts

Disclaimer: Any individual charged in this release is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.


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