North Carolinians ask police for directions, ultimately arrested on drug charges

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – What might appear to some as a seemingly innocent incident led to the arrest of two North Carolina men, charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Drug Related Object, thanks to the work of an observant law enforcement officer.

On the evening of Monday, Aug. 6, a Hiawassee Police Department patrol officer was in the parking lot of a local business when the officer was approached by two white males in a white Ford F250, requesting directions. The officer advised the driver that an incoming call for service needed to be addressed, but if the individuals wished to wait, the officer would return shortly to assist in the matter.

According to the detailed incident report, the officer returned soon thereafter to where the men were awaiting directions, when the driver claimed that they had traveled from Cherokee, North Carolina, in search of a gated campground in the area.

As the driver was speaking, the Hiawassee officer observed that the man was “sweating profusely,” that his eyes appeared “extremely dialated,” in addition to “talking very rapidly.”

The officer asked the driver to exit the vehicle. Upon questioning the driver’s condition, the driver said that he had been in a motorcycle accident, and was currently on “Roxy 10’s,” a prescription pain medication, stating that he had taken the opioid an hour and a half prior to contact with the police department.

The driver was identified as Austin Cody Fuller, 20, of Cherokee, NC, and the passenger as Ronald David Warren, 42, of Bryson City, NC.

Upon requesting assistance from the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, the Hiawassee Police Department officer requested that Warren exit the vehicle. After speaking with the individuals and suspecting illicit activity, the officer requested permission to search the vehicle. According to the incident report, Fuller stated, “I don’t care,” along with “It doesn’t bother me.”

Once consent to search was granted, law enforcement officers located a glass smoking device containing methamphetamine, in addition to two additional baggies of methamphetamine, one within the vehicle, the other inside of the Warren’s pocket, following his arrest.

Allen and Fuller were transported to the Towns County Detention Center.

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