UPDATED: FYN spoke with a courthouse official who confirmed the mistrial was pronounced by Superior Court Judge Raymond George, based on his ruling that the defendant may not receive a fair trial due to the placement of the arrest poster in the Towns County Courthouse, a venue where trials are held. Jurors were reported as recognizing the defendant, who was charged with possession of methamphetamine, upon entry into the courtroom. According to our source, a new trial is expected to take place.

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – FetchYourNews (FYN) received credible information pertaining to a court case which was rejected last week due to an action taken by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office. FYN is in the process of collecting the details surrounding the situation, and has filed a media request with the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office. The jury trial was reported to FYN as a mistrial due to an “Operation Trial Run” poster prominately placed in the Towns County Courthouse which displayed photographs of numerous suspects arrested on drug charges by the sheriff’s office in past months. According to several sources, jurors viewed the poster in question prior to the trial, thus tainting the case, as defendants are presumed innocent prior to a court’s verdict.

Towns County Sheriff’s Office conducted the drug operation dubbed “Operation Trial Run” consisting of a seven month drug investigation in which undercover agents, along with uniformed patrol officers, arrested suspects throughout the county on various drug and other related offenses. The operation was a several month evaluation, beginning in May, 2018, running through January, 2019, with the department using an in-house drug agent to aid in the investigations.

During the seven month “Operation Trial Run” investigation, 37 suspects were arrested on over 150 drug and additional various charges. Numerous search warrants were acquired and executed throughout Towns County during the operation.  A total of more than $81,000 worth of illegal drugs were taken off the streets and from residences throughout the county.    

“Operation Trial Run” resulted in the seizures of a residential home, vehicles, cash, and firearms valued at more than $322,000.  Once the seizures have been successfully completed and awarded back to the sheriff’s office, the funds can be used for law enforcement purposes to combat illegal activity within the county.     

According to an April statement from Towns County Sheriff’s Office, “Operation Trial Run” proved to be “very successful.” The agency stated that it has and will continue to operate with an in-house drug agent, and additional suspects have since been arrested and more seizures made, with other arrests and seizures forthcoming in the near future.

All suspects reported as arrested by law enforcement are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Feature Image: Photograph of the poster in question, released to FYN by Towns County Sheriff’s Office in April.