Nine arrested in Towns County drug raid

HIAWASSEE, Ga, – On Monday, March 9, Towns County Sheriff’s Office investigators and deputies obtained and executed a search warrant at a residence located on State Highway 288 near Dollar General in Hiawassee.

Investigators and deputies arrested the following suspects:

James Michael Peterson, age 60, of Hiawassee, Georgia

1 Count Possession of Methamphetamine

David Lee Chastain II age 38 of Hiawassee, Georgia

1 Count Possession of Methamphetamine

Thomas Wooten age 29 of Hiawassee, Georgia

1 Count Possession of Methamphetamine

Levi Peterson age 37 of Hiawassee, Georgia

1 Count Possession of Methamphetamine

Curtis Cooper age 58 of Hiawassee, Georgia

1 Count Possession of Methamphetamine

Derek Taylor age 45 of Hiawassee, Georgia

1 Count Possession of Methamphetamine

Lessie Eugene Montgomery age 20 of Hiawassee, Georgia

1 Count Possession of Methamphetamine

Ramona Montgomery age 50 of Hiawassee, Georgia

1 Count Possession of Methamphetamine

Roxanne Wodarski age 51 of Hiawassee, Georgia

1 Count Possession of Methamphetamine

Furthermore, on Monday, March 2, a Towns County deputy made a traffic stop on a Ford Expedition on Highway 76 in Hiawassee. Upon further investigation, the driver was identified as Derek John Bowen, age 39 of Clarksville, Georgia, and was arrested and charged with: 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Methamphetamine, 1 Count Drug Related Objects,1 Count Defective Equipment(Cracked Windshield), and 1 Count Headlight Violation.

“Towns County Sheriff’s Office investigators and deputies continue to identify and arrest suspects on drug-related charges,” Towns County Chief Deputy Terry Conner said. “The ten suspects arrested come on the heels of twenty-seven suspects previously arrested during the two previous months. These arrests were the result of a traffic stop and the execution of a search warrant. The sheriff’s office continues to make good on their promise to seek out suspects involved in illegal drug possession and activity in the Towns County Community.”

All the listed cases are active and ongoing, and they will be forwarded to the Enotah Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

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

According to the sheriff’s office, additional arrests are forthcoming.