Methamphetamine related arrest in Towns County

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TOWNS COUNTY, Ga. – A traffic stop in Towns County led to the arrest of Nicholas Sean Swisher on charges of possession of Methamphetamines among others.

According to a statement from the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, they arrested Swisher Early Sunday morning, December 4th.

“Towns County Sheriff’s Office Drug Investigator and K-9 Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Konahetah Drive. The K-9 alerted to drugs being in the vehicle. The vehicle was searched, and Methamphetamine and Ecstasy were discovered. Both drugs field-tested positive,” according to the statement.

Swisher, age 48, of Clayton GA, ‘was arrested and charged with Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Felony Possession of MDMA (Ecstasy), and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Related Objects’.
The statement posted on Towns County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page continued by stating:
“Sheriff Ken Henderson and the Towns County Sheriff’s Office are committed to taking these dangerous drugs off our streets and out of the hands of our young children.”

Hiawassee PD arrests drug suspect after PIT stop

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Hiawassee Police department

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Hiawassee Police Department was involved in a vehicle pursuit Monday, March 2, prior to the arrest of a suspect on drug charges. According to information obtained from the city agency, the chase began at approximately 12:35 pm, ending a short time later.

The vehicle that the suspect was driving was reported as “pitted twice” by a law enforcement officer who attempted to initiate a traffic stop, leading to the apprehension of John Caleb Nicholson of Hiawassee.

John Caleb Nicholson

John Caleb Nicholson

By definition, a PIT (pursuit intervention technique) maneuver is a pursuit tactic by which law enforcement can force a fleeing vehicle to abruptly turn sideways, causing a suspect to stop. The technique is typically used by officers as a safer alternative to ending dangerous motor vehicle pursuits.

Nicholson was taken into custody and transported to the Towns County Detention Center. Charges were listed as pending at the time of publication.

FYN will provide additional information on the incident as it is made available by Hiawassee Police Department.

Nicholson is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

Hiawassee Police Department K-9 detects meth in drug arrest

City Police, News

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Hiawassee Police Department’s newest addition to the agency, Buddy, a drug-detection K-9, positively indicated the presence of methamphetamine and marijuana following a Jan. 6 routine traffic stop.

An officer with the Hiawassee Police Department conducted the stop on a 1999 Dodge Durango for a tag light violation on State Route 75 North. Upon initial investigation and indication of an illicit substance within the vehicle by the drug-detection K-9, methamphetamine and marijuana were discovered by law enforcement.

Michell Phillips

Michell Ann Phillips

Michell Ann Phillips, 47, of Frankin, NC, was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Towns County Detention Center. Phillips was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug-Related Objects, and Required Tag Light Illumination.

“This was the first arrest made based on a positive alert by Buddy,” Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith told FYN.

The case will be forwarded to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Phillips is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Buddy, a two-year-old yellow labrador, was trained and donated to Hiawassee Police Department in September by Ed Able, owner and operator of P.A.W.S. Dog Training K-9 Behavior Center, in Young Harris. Able, a 40-year veteran canine trainer, told FetchYourNews last May that his goal in forming the organization was based on training canines for law enforcement and first responders. Able said that it typically takes six-to-eight weeks to train the canines, followed by additional time spent in the field teamed with the handler.

Blairsville felon arrested in Hiawassee for meth, firearm possession

City Police, News
Hiawassee Police Department

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – A recent traffic stop led to the arrest of a Blairsville man on multiple charges  An officer with Hiawassee Police Department conducted a stop on a 1999 Buick Intrique for alleged improper lighting equipment on North Main Street, Dec. 9. Upon initial investigation, it was determined that the driver of the vehicle did not possess a valid driver’s license.

After the driver, identified as Steven Michael Hildebrant, 40, of Blairsville, was taken into custody for the license violation, the arresting officer reported locating two small baggies containing a white powdery substance within the vehicle. According to the police report obtained by FYN, a residue field-test indicated a positive presence of methamphetamine.

Additionally located in Hildebrant’s vehicle was an alleged loaded 9 millimeter handgun. Hildebrant was subsequently charged with Firearm Possession by a Convicted Felon and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime.

Hildebrant was transported by a Towns County Sheriff’s Office deputy to the county detention where a third baggy containing a white substance was purported as discovered on the subject’s person. Hildebrant was further charged with crossing a county guardline while in possession of an illicit substance. The suspect was additionally charged by Hiawassee Police Department with driving with an obsure tag, improper use of the central turn lane, and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.

The case will be forwarded to Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Hildebrant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

“Hands-Free” law leads to Hiawassee meth arrest

City Police, News

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Hiawassee Police Department conducted a traffic stop on North Main Street Tuesday, Nov. 19, on a gray Chevrolet Silverado, leading to the arrest of a South Carolina resident. According to the police report obtained by FYN,  a female subject was allegedly witnessed using a cellular device while driving at the time that the traffic stop was initiated.

Deborah Lynn Miles, 43, of Pelzer, SC, was arrested and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug-Related Objects following an investigation and vehicle search by the city’s law enforcement division.

A female passenger was charged with Open Container after alcohol was discovered in the vehicle.

Miles reportedly relayed to the arresting officer that she was using GPS mapping on her cellular device at the time of the traffic stop.

Miles and the passenger were transported to Towns County Detention Center. Both suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Georgia’s “Hands-Free” law took effect July 1, 2018, stating that:

  • Drivers cannot have a phone in their hand or touching any part of their body while talking on their phone while driving.
  • Even with hands-free technology, drivers cannot write, read or send text messages, e-mails, social media content, and other internet data while on the road. (Voice to text is allowed)
  • Drivers cannot watch videos when they are on the road.  (Navigational/GPS videos are allowed)
  • Drivers cannot use their phones or electronic devices to record video when they are on the road. (Continuously running dash cams are allowed)
  • Drivers may listen to streaming music that does not include videos on the screen of their phone or device while driving but cannot touch their phones while on the road to activate or program any music streaming app.  Streaming music that is controlled by and listened through the vehicle’s radio is allowed.   Drivers who need to touch their phones to activate/program their music streaming apps must do so before getting on the road

  • The fine for a first conviction is $50.00 and 1 point assessed against the driver’s license.  The fine is $100.00 and 2 points for a second conviction and $150.00 and 3 points for three or more convictions.  The fines for a 2nd or 3rd offense only apply when the date of a 2nd or 3rd conviction takes place within 24 months of the date of the first conviction.  First-time offenders can have the charge dropped by showing the court they have obtained a device that allows them to talk on a phone with hands-free technology or devices.

 

Hiawassee Police Department archives

 

 

 

Cocaine, heroin charges possible following Hiawassee arrest

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DEVELOPING:

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – FetchYourNews (FYN) obtained information regarding a drug arrest conducted by Hiawassee Police Department Sunday, Oct. 20. James Marlin Bailey, 37, was taken into custody Sunday afternoon by the city law enforcement division and booked at the Towns County Detention Center on pending charges.

Hiawassee Police Department

FYN has since learned from law enforcement that possession, including trafficking, of cocaine and what appeared to be “black tar” heroin charges are possible following the Sunday afternoon arrest.  FYN is awaiting additional information on the incident from Hiawassee Police Department at this time.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, black tar heroin comes in the form of a dark, sticky substance. Distinguishing between the powder and black tar forms of heroin is typically simple, even for the untrained eye, since black tar gets its name from its resemblance to roofing tar.

All forms of heroin are derived from morphine, a powerful opioid painkiller. Black tar heroin is primarily produced in Mexico, according to the New York Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. Some South American and Asian countries have also been known to export the drug.

Bailey’s social media information shows that he is from the Jacksonville, Florida area, and attends North Georgia Technical College.

Rachel Iris Goodwin, 37, was additionally arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, possession, and use of drug-related objects, and crossing state/county guard lines with weapons, intoxicants, and/or drugs without consent. Goodwin is listed by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office as being held without bond. Goodwin’s social media profile states her residence is also located in Jacksonville, Florida.

Should charges prevail, the case will be forwarded to Enotah Circuit District Court for prosecution. Bailey and Goodwin are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Follow FYN for additional details as they become available.

Hiawassee Police Department archives

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If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of our counties of coverage, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

Hiawassee traffic stop leads to massive seizure, felony drug charges

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Loniie Marcus

Lonnie Max Marcus

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – A joint drug investigation ended Friday, Sept. 13, following the traffic stop of a Young Harris man who was charged with trafficking methamphetamine. The joint investigation was conducted by Towns County Sheriff’s Office, Hiawassee Police Department, Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, and Union County Sheriff’s Office,.

On the morning of Sept. 13, 2019, a Hiawassee Police officer conducted a traffic stop on a Harley Davidson motorcycle. The driver was identified as Lonnie Max Marcus, 44, of Young Harris, GA. Upon further investigation, Marcus was arrested without incident and charged with the following:

  • 1 Count Violation Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Methamphetamine
  •  1 Count Violation Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Schedule IV drug, Xanax
  • 1 Count Possession of Firearm During the Commission of Felony
  •  1 Count Removing Plate to Conceal Vehicle Identity
  •  1 Count Operating Vehicle without Registration
  •  1 Count No Insurance

Hiawassee Police Department seized the 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle, approximately $8,000 in cash, and a firearm at the time of the traffic stop. Investigators and officers with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, Towns County Sheriff’s Office, Hiawassee Police Department, and Union County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the shop of Marcus, located off Highway 66 in Young Harris, later that day.

Investigators seized and recovered a quantity of methamphetamine with a street value of $11,200, cash in the amount of approximately $32,000, and 29 firearms from the location.

“Lonnie Max Marcus, upon the completion of the search warrant, was arrested for Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Trafficking Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime, Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, and Possession of a Sawed Off Shotgun. There will be additional charges forthcoming,” Towns County Chief Deputy Terry Conner stated.

The case will be forwarded to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Marcus is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

 

Additional Towns County news

 

Reported roadside domestic dispute leads to drug arrest

News

HIAWASSEE, Ga, – On Tuesday afternoon, August 13, an officer with Hiawassee Police Department reported to Towns County Sheriff’s deputies a possible domestic incident on the northbound shoulder of State Route 75 South. The officer observed a vehicle pulled over on the shoulder of the roadway, occupied by a male and female whom appeared to be engaged in a domestic dispute.

Towns County deputies responded to meet with the city officer. According to law enforcement, the female subject appeared and behaved as if under the influence of some type of drugs. Upon further investigation, the female was identified as Anna Damewood, 20, of Gainesville, Georgia. Damewood was arrested and charged with:

  • 1 Count Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act (Possession of Methamphetamine)
  • 1 Count of Drug-Related Objects

The male subject was identified as Anthony David Stephenson, 37, of Dacula, Georgia. Stephenson was
arrested and charged with:

  • 1 Count of Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer

Authorities determined that Stephenson was wanted on charges out of Gwinnett County for a probation violation warrant and Cobb County on a bench warrant for failure to appear on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

The Towns County charges will be forwarded to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Both suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Young Harris traffic stop leads to drug arrest

News

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Towns County Sheriff’s Office investigators and deputies continue their push to arrest drug suspects throughout the Towns County area. On Tuesday, July 23, a Towns County deputy conducted a traffic stop on King Cove Road at the intersection of Gumlog Road in Young Harris on a Toyota truck.

After initiating the traffic stop and upon further investigation, the deputy arrested Stephanie Nicolette Phillips, 40, of Marble, North Carolina on the following charges:

  • One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Methamphetamine
  • One Count Driving on Suspended License
  • One Count Tampering with Evidence
  • One Count Possession of Drug Related Objects
  • Two Counts Defective Equipment (No Brake Lights, Busted Windshield)

“The Towns County Sheriff’s Office will continue their strong effort to seek out the drug suspects within the Towns County area, and additional arrests will be forth coming,” Towns County Chief Deputy Terry Conner said.

The above case will be forwarded to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Phillips is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.   

According to Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) statistics, methamphetamine arrests throughout the state have increased approximately 16 percent in recent years:

  • 12,703 in 2015
  • 13,634 in 2016
  • 14,742 in 2017

“It’s in every county in our state, and it’s inundated our crime lab,” Deneen Kilcrease, the Chemistry Section Manager of the GBI Crime Lab in DeKalb County, said in February. “County after county, the number one drug is methamphetamine. We only see about half the amount of cocaine that we do methamphetamine.”

City of Hiawassee employee arrested for methamphetamine

City Police, News

HIAWASSEE, Ga.  – Patti Diane Moon, 60, a billing clerk for the City of Hiawassee, was arrested Sunday morning, Aug. 25, by Hiawassee Police Department on multiple charges.

Moon was allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road when the traffic stop was conducted. Upon investigation by Hiawassee Police Department, Moon was arrested and charged with the following crimes:

  • Possession of Methamphetamine
  • Possession of Drug-Related Objects
  • Driving Under the Influence
  • Drugs not in Original Container
  • Failure to Drive in Single Lane
  • Driving on Wrong Side of Road

Hiawassee City Council went into executive session following last night’s monthly work session to discuss a personnel matter, possibly in connection with Moon’s arrest.

Moon is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Hiawassee suspect tased by deputy charged with multiple drug violations

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HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Patrick Ryan Oakes, 40, of Hiawassee, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 14, following a brief vehicle pursuit on State Route 288 after Towns County Sheriff’s Office attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Oakes crashed the white Chevrolet SUV that he was driving, slightly damaging a county patrol vehicle, prior to being subdued by taser by law enforcement. Oakes was initially charged with driving too fast for conditions and failure to maintain lane.

Towns County Sheriff's Office

                Incident captured on film by Towns County Sheriff’s Office

Oakes was subsequently charged with multiple felony crimes as a result of the incident:

  • 2 Counts Felony Possession of Illegal Substances (Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine; Possession of Methamphetamine)
  • 1 Count Felony Aggravated Assault
  • 1 Count Felony Destruction of Government Property
  • 1 Count Felony Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement

 

Misdemeanor charges include:

  • 1 Count Possession of Drug-Related Object
  • 1 Count Reckless Driving
  • 1 Count Obstruction of an Officer
  • 1 Count Reckless Driving
  • 1 Count Violation of Window Tint
  • 1 Count Failure to Have License on Person
  • ! Count Driving Too Fast for Conditions
  • 1 Count Failure to Maintain Lane

Oakes is being held without bond at Towns County Detention Center. The case will be forwarded to Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Oakes is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

Feature Image: Patrick Oakes/Facebook Profile

Related Archive:

Young Harris traffic stop leads to methamphetamine arrest

Arrest Reports, News
Police Department

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – On Saturday, March 23, Towns County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a suspect on drug charges following a traffic stop in Young Harris.  A Towns County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped a White Jeep Liberty on Highway 66 on a traffic violation.

Mary Ann Walker

Mary Ann Walker

Upon further investigation into the traffic stop, the deputy arrested Mary Ann Walker, 54, of Calhoun, GA, on the following charges:

 

  • One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act

(Possession of Methamphetamine)

  • One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act

(Possession of Marijuana)

  • One Count Drug Related Objects
  • One Count Violation of Brake Light Requirement

The investigation is active and ongoing.  The case will be referred to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Walker is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Methamphetamine use can easily lead to a serious addiction, and its abuse is a widespread issue in the United States. Use of the drug creates serious health problems and, in some cases, leads to fatal consequences. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) claimed that approximately 774,000 people were current methamphetamine users in 2017, roughly 0.3 percent of the population. That amount is up starkly from the 667,000 people who were current methamphetamine users in 2016.

 

 

 

 

Tennessee man arrested in Young Harris on drug charges

News

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – A traffic stop conducted on Gumlog Road in Young Harris Monday, Sept.30, resulted in drug charges. According to the sheriff’s office, a Towns County deputy initiated a traffic stop on a Ford truck for a traffic offense. Upon further investigation, the driver was identified as Joey Delane Head, 60, of Ducktown, TN.

Head was arrested without incident and charged with the following offenses:

  • 1 Count of Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act – Possession Methamphetamine
  • 1 Count of Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act – Possession of Schedule IV Drugs
  • 1 Count of Possession of Drug Related Objects
  • 1 Count of Drugs Not in Original Container
  • 1 Count Failure to Maintain Lane

Towns County Sheriff’s Office said that the investigation is currently active and on-going and additional charges are possible. The case will be forwarded to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s office for prosecution.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

Click for more Towns County news…

Hiawassee suspect arrested on methamphetamine charges

City Police, News
meth

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Randall Leo McNabb, 61, of Hiawassee was arrested Monday afternoon, Sept. 16, on methamphetamine charges. According to the police report obtained by FetchYourNews, a subject who was later identified by authorities as McNabb appeared to be avoiding a Towns County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputy when Hiawassee Police Department was notified of the suspicious behavior.

meth

Randall Leo                 McNabb

A traffic stop was conducted by a city police officer on a white Dodge Dakota truck on Bell Creek Road in Hiawassee. “The reason for the stop was the upper brake light out,” Hiawassee Police Department’s report reads in part.

Upon investigation, law enforcement officers allegedly discovered a small quanity of methamphetamine and drug-related objects inside of McNabb’s vehicle. McNabb was taken into custody without incident, and charged with the following crimes:

  • Possession of methamphetamine
  • Possession of drug-related objects
  • Possession and use of drug-related objects

The case will be forwarded to Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.  McNabb is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

Click for additional Towns County news

 

Hiawassee traffic stop takes more methamphetamine off streets

Arrest Reports, News

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – A traffic stop conducted by Hiawassee Police Department led to yet another drug arrest during the afternoon hours of Saturday, Dec. 8, near the intersection of Main Street and Bell Creek Road.

Amanda Aveline Wheeler, 39, of Hiawassee, was arrested and charged with the following offenses:

Hiawassee Police Department

Evidence retrieved by Hiawassee Police Department

16-13-30 DRUGS- METHAMPHETAMINE POSSESSION OF
16-13-30 DRUGS- METHAMPHETAMINE  SALE/DELIVER/DISTRIBUTE
16-13-30 DRUGS- MARIJUANA POSSESSION LESS THAN 1 OUNCE
16-13-30H POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE IV DRUGS
16-13-32.2 POSSESSION AND USE OF DRUG RELATED OBJECTS

A probable cause search was conducted due to an odor of marijuana wafting from the the interior of the vehicle. According to the Hiawassee Police Department, Wheeler offered that a quantity of marijuana was, in fact, present within the glove box of the vehicle, prior to the execution of the search.

“I started the search by opening the glove compartment. Once open, I located a small plastic bag that contained a quantity of marijuana that had a total weight of less than one ounce,” the arresting officer wrote in a report requested and obtained by FYN, “I then continued the search and in the back seat, there was a bag that contained Ms. Wheeler’s personal items. Inside the bag, I located a small black case that contained two plastic bags with methamphetamine, a clear plastic case with methamphetamine, a set of digital scales, and a plastic bag with several empty red plastic bags.”

In addition, Wheeler allegedly possessed a loose benzodiazepine pill, and had an outstanding warrant from Clay County, North Carolina.

Wheeler was transported to the Towns County Detention Center, and faces criminal prosecution.

Wheeler is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

UPDATED: Young Harris man arrested for methamphetamine distribution

Arrest Reports, News

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Michael Dean Byers, 46, of Young Harris, was apprehended and arrested following a traffic stop on Friday, Sept. 7, after three felony warrants for trafficking methamphetamine were issued. Towns County Sheriff’s Office seized the BMW 325 that Byers was driving.

Towns count Sheriff's Office

BMW driven by Byers, seized by Towns County Sheriff’s Office

According to law enforcement officials with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO), a search of Michael Byers’ home on Sept. 5,  in Young Harris off of KIng Cove Road, led to the discovery of an ounce of methamphetamine.

FYN has learned that Byers was wanted in connection with an ARDEO operation, “Unicoi Pipeline,” a 16-month investigation involving a dozen law enforcement agencies which led to the seizure of 15 pounds of methamphetamine, valued at over $750,000.

According to law enforcement officials, Charles Michael Ledford and Bobby Roger Burch were responsible for distributing methamphetamine in North Georgia, and Clay County, North Carolina, over the course of a two year period.

Clay County Sheriff's Office

Firearms seized from a Clay County residence

According to GBI Special Agent in Charge Mitchell Posey, three pounds of methamphetamine was concealed in a battery in Burch’s truck after allegedly leaving Ledford’s Conyers residence, traveling toward Hayesville, North Carolina.

Authorities state twelve additional pounds of methamphetamine were discovered upon execution of a search warrant at Ledford’s home.

Methamphetamine seized by ARDEO

In addition, law enforcement seized firearms from Burch’s residence in Clay County, North Carolina, many of which were alledgedly stolen.

UPDATED: Charles Michael Ledford, 48, of Conyers was arrested for trafficking methamphetamine. Ledford was transported to the Rockdale County Detention Center.

Bobby RogerBurch, 47, of Hayesville, NC was arrested for trafficking methamphetamine. Warrants are pending in Clay County, NC for Maintain Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substances, Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Methamphetamine, and Possession of Stolen Firearm. Burch was transported to the Hall County Detention Center.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton would like to express special appreciation to ARDEO, Enotah District Attorney’s Office, and the additional law enforcement agencies that assisted in the joint operation.

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