Methamphetamine arrests continue in Towns County
Arrest Reports, News April 8, 2019
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Substance abuse casts a dark shadow over far too many lives, and law enforcement officers continue the battle to combat the epidemic from a legal standpoint.
Kristy Lynn McGaha
On Monday, April 1, Towns County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kristy Lynn McGaha, 38, charging McGaha with the following offenses:
- Two counts sale of methamphetamine
- Purchase/possession/manufacture/distribution/sale of methamphetamine
- Possession of methamphetamine
- Purchase/possession/manufacture/distribution/sale of marijuana
- Possession/use of marijuana
On Sunday, April 7, Yonah Peppers, 44, was arrested by Georgia State Patrol, charging Peppers with the following violations:
- Possession of methamphetamine
- Possession of Schedule 1 controlled substance
- Possession of marijuana – less than one ounce
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
McGaha and Peppers are being held at the Towns County Detention Center without bond.
Yonah Peppers
While circumstances surrounding individual drug use differ, statistics reveal that the proportion of Americans who use methamphetamine on a monthly basis has hovered in the range of .02 to .03 percent since 1999.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, methamphetamine is highly addictive due to its potent action on the brain’s “feel-good” chemicals: dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine induces feelings of pleasure, reward, and motivation. Because methamphetamine significantly increases the brain’s levels of dopamine, the substance creates a euphoric rush when users ingest, inhale, or inject the drug.
Methamphetamine impacts the brain’s levels of serotonin, which is responsible for regulating mood, appetite, and memory. When the effects of methamphetamine subside, the brain is depleted of both dopamine and serotonin, creating feelings of depression and anxiety. Repeated use of methamphetamine leads to increased tolerance, causing users to require a higher dose to receive the same effect.
In 2018, Georgia Bureau of Investigation listed methamphetamine as the lead substance tested in the state crime lab.
Towns County Sheriff’s Office Report 03/11 to 03/17
Arrest Reports March 18, 2019
Arrest report provided by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office with images. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-70) allows for www.fetchyournews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Towns County. Those arrests are posted on www.fetchyournews.com for viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
Towns County Sheriff’s Office Report 03/04 to 03/11
Arrest Reports March 11, 2019
Arrest report provided by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office with images. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-70) allows for www.fetchyournews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Towns County. Those arrests are posted on www.fetchyournews.com for viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
Tennessee man arrested in Young Harris on drug charges
News October 7, 2019YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – A traffic stop conducted on Gumlog Road in Young Harris Monday, Sept.30, resulted in drug charges. According to the sheriff’s office, a Towns County deputy initiated a traffic stop on a Ford truck for a traffic offense. Upon further investigation, the driver was identified as Joey Delane Head, 60, of Ducktown, TN.
Head was arrested without incident and charged with the following offenses:
- 1 Count of Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act – Possession Methamphetamine
- 1 Count of Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act – Possession of Schedule IV Drugs
- 1 Count of Possession of Drug Related Objects
- 1 Count of Drugs Not in Original Container
- 1 Count Failure to Maintain Lane
Towns County Sheriff’s Office said that the investigation is currently active and on-going and additional charges are possible. The case will be forwarded to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s office for prosecution.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Hiawassee suspect arrested on methamphetamine charges
City Police, News September 24, 2019
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Randall Leo McNabb, 61, of Hiawassee was arrested Monday afternoon, Sept. 16, on methamphetamine charges. According to the police report obtained by FetchYourNews, a subject who was later identified by authorities as McNabb appeared to be avoiding a Towns County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputy when Hiawassee Police Department was notified of the suspicious behavior.
Randall Leo McNabb
A traffic stop was conducted by a city police officer on a white Dodge Dakota truck on Bell Creek Road in Hiawassee. “The reason for the stop was the upper brake light out,” Hiawassee Police Department’s report reads in part.
Upon investigation, law enforcement officers allegedly discovered a small quanity of methamphetamine and drug-related objects inside of McNabb’s vehicle. McNabb was taken into custody without incident, and charged with the following crimes:
- Possession of methamphetamine
- Possession of drug-related objects
- Possession and use of drug-related objects
The case will be forwarded to Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. McNabb is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Click for additional Towns County news
Towns County Sheriff’s Office Report 8/12 – 8/18
Arrest Reports, Police & Government August 19, 2019
Arrest report provided by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office with images. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-70) allows for FetchYourNews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Towns County. Those arrests are posted on FetchYourNews.com for viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
Towns County Sheriff’s Office awarded over $13K in cash, vehicle, handgun seizure
News August 10, 2019HIAWASSEE, Ga. – On Wednesday, Aug. 7, Towns County Sheriff’s Office was awarded $13,973 dollars in cash, a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, and a 9MM handgun as a result of a traffic stop and drug investigation. The award was the result of a seizure filed by the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office on behalf of the Towns County Sheriff’s Office.
Joseph Loog
On the morning of Saturday, Sept. 22, Towns County Sheriff’s deputies made a traffic stop on a 2003 Black Chrysler PT Cruiser on Kelly Road in Hiawassee. Towns County Sheriff’s Office investigators assisted the deputies with the traffic stop. Upon further investigation, the vehicle was impounded and investigators obtained a search warrant for the vehicle.
Towns County investigators and deputies arrested Joseph Carson Loog, 41, of Paris. Tennessee. Loog was charged with the following:
- 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance
Act, possession of methamphetamine with intent to
distribute. - 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance
Act, possession of methamphetamine. - 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance
Act, possession of marijuana. - 1 Count Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted
Felon. - 1 Count Possession of Firearm during the
Commission of a Felony. - 1 Count of Giving a False Name to Law Enforcement.
- 1 Count of Driving on Suspended License.
- 1 Count of No Proof of Insurance.
- 1 Count of No Seatbelt.
Towns County Sheriff’s Office Investigators during the course of the investigation seized a 2003 Chrysler
PT Cruiser, $13,973 in cash, a 9mm handgun, a portable scanner, a set of scales, along with other miscellaneous items. On July 19, the defendant Joseph Loog entered and closed his case with a guilty plea. On Aug. 7, a Condemnation and Forfeiture Hearing was held, and the results were that the seized property that being the $13,973 in cash, the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, and the 9MM handgun was hereby condemned and forfeited to the Towns
County Sheriff’s Office.
“The Sheriff’s Office would like to sincerely thank the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for all their hard work and assistance with filing the Condemnation and Forfeiture paperwork, and with the prosecution of the criminal charges,” Chief Deputy Terry Conner said.
Under Georgia law, the government must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that seized property is connected to a crime, or that there is no other likely source for the property other than criminal activity. Property owners who file an innocent owner claim bear the burden of proving that they neither knew nor consented to any illegal use of their property. Up to 100 percent of forfeiture proceeds go to law enforcement in Georgia.
Towns County Sheriff’s Office Report 6/17 – 6/23
Arrest Reports, Police & Government July 2, 2019
Arrest report provided by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office with images. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-70) allows for FetchYourNews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Towns County. Those arrests are posted on FetchYourNews.com for viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
Towns County Sheriff’s Office Report 06/10 to 6/16
Arrest Reports June 21, 2019
Arrest report provided by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office with images. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-70) allows for www.fetchyournews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Towns County. Those arrests are posted on www.fetchyournews.com for viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
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Towns County Sheriff’s Office Report 05/26 to 06/02
Arrest Reports June 5, 2019
Arrest report provided by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office with images. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-70) allows for www.fetchyournews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Towns County. Those arrests are posted on www.fetchyournews.com for viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
Additional methamphetamine distribution arrest made by authorities
News May 10, 2019
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – On Thursday, May 9, Sonya Taylor was arrested without incident on warrants for drug charges related to a search warrant which occurred April 20. Sonya Taylor, 43, of Hiawassee, was arrested and charged with the following:
- One Count of Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute)
- One Count of Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Methamphetamine)
- One Count of Drug Related Objects
As previously reported, Towns County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators executed a search warrant on Saturday, April 20, at a residence off of Mill Creek Road in Hiawassee, Georgia. At that time, investigators arrested Willis Dyer, 60, of Hiawassee, on the following charges:
Willis Dyer
- One Count of Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute)
- One Count of Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Methamphetamine)
- One Count of Drug Related Objects
According to the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, the case remains under active investigation. The case will be forwarded to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Feature Image: Sonya Taylor of Hiawassee
Towns County Sheriff’s Office Report 04/30 to 05/06
Arrest Reports May 9, 2019
Arrest report provided by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office with images. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-70) allows for www.fetchyournews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Towns County. Those arrests are posted on www.fetchyournews.com for viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
Suspect in Hiawassee stabbing charged with aggravated assault
News April 25, 2019HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Anthony “Scott” Barrett, the suspect involved in the Monday stabbing of Danny Gibson, has been charged with aggravated assault, Towns County Sheriff’s Office said. Additionally, Barrett is being held in Towns County Detention Center on a probation violation warrant out of Fannin County, GA.
On Monday, April 22, Towns County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to investigate a report of a knife stabbing. Deputies, along with emergency medical services, responded to the Friendship Store located at the intersection of State Route 76 and State Route 288 in Hiawassee. Gibson, the victim, drove his truck to the store and requested the clerk to call 911. The incident was reported to have occurred at a residence located nearby, off Cedar Cliff Road, east of the store.
Deputies responded to the location on Cedar Cliff Road and secured the residence. The house and surrounding area were searched for the suspect. Deputies discovered the suspect hiding in a Ford Explorer. Barrett was taken into custody without incident.
Gibson was transported by ambulance to Union General Hospital for treatment of a non-life threatening knife stab to the back.
The investigation is currently active and ongoing at this time. The case will be forwarded to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Barrett is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Hiawassee bank employee charged with forgery, theft by taking
News April 23, 2019HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Cherish Serene Stewart, 46, of Hiawassee, was arrested and charged with five counts of forgery in the first degree, and five counts of theft by taking in excess of $1,500.
According to the arrest report obtained from Hiawassee Police Department, the date of the alleged offense was documented as occuring Dec. 21, 2018. The complainant was listed as United Community Bank. A total amount of $5,900 was recorded as allegedly stolen from United Community Bank by Stewart, via the report. A detective with Hiawassee Police Department met with the bank president March 29, upon consultation with an Enotah Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney, in order to acquire additional information on the investigation.
According to Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith, Enotah Judicial Circuit may claim an “open investigation/pending prosecution” case which would prevent additional details from being released at this time. FYN will update future information should it become available.
Stewart is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Towns County Sheriff’s Office Report 03/25 to 03/31
Arrest Reports April 4, 2019
Arrest report provided by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office with images. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-70) allows for www.fetchyournews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Towns County. Those arrests are posted on www.fetchyournews.com for viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
Towns County Sheriff’s Office Report 03/18 to 03/24
Arrest Reports March 25, 2019
Arrest report provided by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office with images. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-70) allows for www.fetchyournews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Towns County. Those arrests are posted on www.fetchyournews.com for viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
