Grand Jury indicts suspects involved in Hiawassee manhunt

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – The four suspects involved in an August traffic stop, which led to a multi-agency manhunt on Bell Creek Road in Hiawassee, were indicted by a Grand Jury, and will soon face trial.

The indictments read as follows:

Shaun Keith Ewing – Burglary in the first degree, 16 counts theft by receiving stolen merchandise, obstruction of an officer.

James Robert Gregory – Distribution of methamphetamine, possession of metamphetamine with intent to distribute, theft by receivibg stolen property, interfering with public utility property, possession of drug-related objects.

Sandi Hope Pate – 17 counts theft by receiving, two counts theft by deception, obstruction of an officer.

Bobbie LeAnn Saxon – Possession of methamphetamine, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, possession of drug-related objects, failure to maintain lane, failure to wear seat safety belt.

The individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

On Wednesday, Aug. 22, Towns County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist Hiawassee Police Department following a traffic stop at Chatuge Lodge, after two suspects exited a vehicle they were occupying, and fled on foot. Law enforcement officers established a perimeter in the area, and a sheriff’s bloodhound was deployed on scene in an attempt to locate the fleeing subjects. The suspects were not apprehended at that time.

The following day, Aug. 23, Towns County 911 received a call pertaining to two subjects fitting the description in the vicinity of Pioneer Trail, located off Highway 75 North. A responding deputy spotted the two suspects, whom proceeded to flee on foot. Additional law enforcement officers arrived on scene, and established a perimeter. A female subject was discovered hiding near a residential area, and was taken into custody without incident.

A CodeRed 911 alert call was dispatched to residents in the area, advising citizens to be on the lookout for the second suspect.

The male suspect, Shaun Ewing, 36, of Hiawassee, was spotted shortly thereafter on Upper Bell Creek Road. Towns County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Hiawassee Police Department officers continued the search throughout the night, and into the following morning.

On the morning of Friday, Aug. 24, a tip was received that Ewing was at a location off of Highway 75 North. Law enforcement officers responded on scene, taking the suspect into custody without further incident. A second CodeRed alert was activated, alerting area residents that the manhunt had concluded due to the suspect’s arrest.

Towns County Sheriff’s Office investigators teamed with officers from the Hiawassee Police Department to execute a search warrant at a residence on Kontahetta Way in Hiawassee. The suspects were linked to an ongoing investigation by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office related to a burglary that was reported on Aug. 15, at a residence off of Fodder Creek Road. A victim reported that numerous firearms, along with other items, had been stolen.