Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the Union County Georgia Sheriff’s Office arrest of James Lanier Heaton, George David Gowder III, John Michael Gowder, Virginia Lou Harkins, Gail Gowder, and Jamie Harkins all who provided Blairsville Georgia addresses, for charges stemming from a joint investigation into prescription fraud.
FYN spoke with officials and the hospital confirms John Michael Gowder is the CEO of Union General.
The joint operation involved members of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Tactical Diversion Squad, the Union County Georgia Sheriff’s Office and the Cherokee County North Carolina Sheriff’s Office. Although the investigation is ongoing to date information has been discovered that would indicate that the ring was operating in Cherokee County North Carolina and may be facing charges here as well.
Sheriff Palmer stated “We enjoyed the opportunity to work with the agencies involved. Sheriff Mack Mason and his Office have been a tremendous ally as we are sending the message No longer can you deal drugs across county and state lines – We will hunt you down and prosecute you.”
Sheriff Palmer encourages any one that has information on this crime or any other to report it. To report crime in Cherokee County you can call the anonymous tip line at 828-837-1344 or email a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov or call 911 if you observe a crime in progress.
GEORGIA - Conservative Senator Steve Gooch is stepping up where others are content to grandstand,…
CHEROKEE COUNTY, NC - The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of an…
Arrest report provided by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A.…
GEORGIA - February 17 - As State Senator for Georgia's 51st District and the Republican…
Arrest report provided by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A.…
Arrest report provided by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A.…
