Safety road check leads to two drug-related arrests

News
safety road check

HIAWASSEE, Ga – Towns County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested two suspects on drug-related charges after receiving information at the Gumlog Road/ Hwy. 66 road safety check.

The two suspects were located in Young Harris, Ga. Candi Sue Merritt, 47 of Hayesville, NC was charged with possession and use of drug-related objects, possession of methamphetamine, Purchase, possession, manufacture, distribution or sale of marijuana, and two failures to appear.

Brittany Marie Collins, 32, of Blairsville, Ga was charged with possession of methamphetamine.

Brittany Collins

Sheriff Ken “Ode” Henderson thanked his deputies and investigators for their dedication to Towns County and its citizens as well as for all their hard work. Since Henderson took office in January, the sheriff’s office has been making significant efforts to crack down on the drug trade in the area.

FYN will update this story if any new developments arise.

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

North Carolina woman arrested on trafficking methamphetamine charges

News, Press Release
methamphetamine

The Towns County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol makes a vital bust confiscating about a pound of methamphetamine.

Sunday, June 6, 2021, the Georgia State Patrol initiated a traffics stop resulting in the arrest of Jennifer Lynn Williams 31 of Crumpler, NC. The Towns County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit in conjunction with the Georgia State Patrol took up the investigation confiscating the vehicle.

According to Sheriff Ken Henderson, this is part of an ongoing investigation with this arrest impacting the supply chain and large amounts of dangerous drugs coming into the community and potentially into the hands of local youth.

Based on our investigation Jennifer Lynn Williams is a major supplier of drugs in the area.
Jennifer Lynn Williams is being charged with the following.

• Drug related objects
• Damage to government property
• Drugs not in original container
• Trafficking in methamphetamine
• Giving false name
• Possession of schedule II-controlled substance
• Possession of methamphetamine
• Obstruction of officer
• Possession of a firearm during commission of a felony

Sheriff Henderson would like to thank the Georgia State Patrol, Towns County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, and Drug Unit for their continued commitment to combating drugs in our great county.

Traffic stop leads to multiple drug-related arrests

News, Police & Government, Press Release
drug arrests traffic stop

Press Release – On Sunday, May 31, 2020, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Towns County Sheriff’s Office with a traffic stop on Highway 175 near the NC/GA state line. During this traffic stop information was obtained to the possibility of illegal controlled substances may be located at Chatuge Mountain Inn in Hayesville. Deputies then responded to Chatuge Mountain Inn to follow up on the information they had received at the traffic stop. Upon the conclusion of their investigation, 136 grams of methamphetamine were seized, a firearm and $10,932 in US currency. The following subjects were arrested and transported to the Clay County Detention Center:

  • Stephen Gregory Skaggs, 33 of Poca, West Virginia was charged with:
    Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting Public Officer, Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substance and Traffick in Methamphetamine. He was given a court date of July 13 and a $200,000 secured bond.
  • Elizabeth Durham, 32 of Charleston, West Virginia was charged with:
    Carrying a concealed gun and Possession of Methamphetamine. She was given a court date of July 13 and a $20,000 unsecured bond.
  • Joseph Michael Eads, 35 of Clarksburg, West Virginia was charged with:
    Carrying a Concealed gun, Possession of Firearm by Felon and Possession of Methamphetamine. He was given a court date of July 13 and a $40,000 secured bond.

Fetch Your News will update this story as information becomes available.

Joseph Michael Eads

Elizabeth Durham

Stephen Gregory Skaggs

Images courtesy of Clay County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

Hiawassee PD arrests drug suspects via traffic stop

City Police, News

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Hiawassee Police Department arrested two subjects on drug possession charges Jan. 19, following a traffic stop conducted on a 2006 BMW on North Main Street. A patrol officer with the city law enforcement division witnessed a near-collision between the vehicle and another motorist, initiating the stop for improper use of the center turning lane.

Hiawassee drug arrest

Alejandro Macias Aguilar

In the arrest report obtained by FYN, Hiawassee Police Department cited observation of a “strong odor of marijuana coming from within the vehicle.” Upon further investigation, marijuana and methamphetamine were discovered in the subjects’ possessions.

Angela Jazmin Daurte, 20, of Gainesville, GA, was placed under arrest for the following offenses: Improper use of central turning lane, driving on the wrong class of license, possession of marijuana less than one ounce, and drug-related objects.

The passenger, Alejandro Macias Aguilar, 25, of Gainesville, GA, was taken into custody and charged with the following crimes: Possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana less than one ounce, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and possession of a drug-related object.

Hiawassee drug arrest

Angela Jazmin Daurte

The suspects were transported to the Towns County Detention Center for processing.

The cases will be forwarded to Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Daurte and Aguilar are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Click for Hiawassee Police Department: 2019 Year-in review

Hiawassee Police Department K-9 detects meth in drug arrest

City Police, News

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Hiawassee Police Department’s newest addition to the agency, Buddy, a drug-detection K-9, positively indicated the presence of methamphetamine and marijuana following a Jan. 6 routine traffic stop.

An officer with the Hiawassee Police Department conducted the stop on a 1999 Dodge Durango for a tag light violation on State Route 75 North. Upon initial investigation and indication of an illicit substance within the vehicle by the drug-detection K-9, methamphetamine and marijuana were discovered by law enforcement.

Michell Phillips

Michell Ann Phillips

Michell Ann Phillips, 47, of Frankin, NC, was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Towns County Detention Center. Phillips was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug-Related Objects, and Required Tag Light Illumination.

“This was the first arrest made based on a positive alert by Buddy,” Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith told FYN.

The case will be forwarded to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Phillips is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Buddy, a two-year-old yellow labrador, was trained and donated to Hiawassee Police Department in September by Ed Able, owner and operator of P.A.W.S. Dog Training K-9 Behavior Center, in Young Harris. Able, a 40-year veteran canine trainer, told FetchYourNews last May that his goal in forming the organization was based on training canines for law enforcement and first responders. Able said that it typically takes six-to-eight weeks to train the canines, followed by additional time spent in the field teamed with the handler.

Windshield violation leads to New Year’s meth arrest

City Police, News
Shon Moxley

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Hiawassee Police Department arrested a Rabun County resident on methamphetamine charges Jan. 1, following a traffic stop conducted on a 1989 Ford 250 truck for an obstructed windshield violation. Shon Moxley, 48, of Mountain City, Georgia, reportedly told an officer with the city police department that he was traveling to Hayesville, North Carolina, to visit a friend when the traffic stop incurred on South Main Street.

According to the police report obtained by FYN, it was determined by law enforcement that Moxley was a felony probationer. Following an initial investigation, Hiawassee Police Department initiated a search of Moxley’s vehicle and person, allegedly discovering a clear baggie containing a “white crystal-like substance consistent with methamphetamine” in Moxley’s pocket.

While the Fourth Amendment typically prevents law enforcement from searching someone’s body, belongings, or home without a warrant or probable cause, it is common for judges to require that a probationer agree to warrantless searches as a condition of sentencing. Because this condition gives up the probationer’s Fourth Amendment rights, it’s often called a “Fourth waiver.”

Moxley was taken into custody and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Drug-Related Object, and View Obstructed/Windshield violations. Moxley was transported to Towns County Detention Center in Young Harris.

The case will be forwarded to Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Moxley is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

Blairsville felon arrested in Hiawassee for meth, firearm possession

City Police, News
Hiawassee Police Department

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – A recent traffic stop led to the arrest of a Blairsville man on multiple charges  An officer with Hiawassee Police Department conducted a stop on a 1999 Buick Intrique for alleged improper lighting equipment on North Main Street, Dec. 9. Upon initial investigation, it was determined that the driver of the vehicle did not possess a valid driver’s license.

After the driver, identified as Steven Michael Hildebrant, 40, of Blairsville, was taken into custody for the license violation, the arresting officer reported locating two small baggies containing a white powdery substance within the vehicle. According to the police report obtained by FYN, a residue field-test indicated a positive presence of methamphetamine.

Additionally located in Hildebrant’s vehicle was an alleged loaded 9 millimeter handgun. Hildebrant was subsequently charged with Firearm Possession by a Convicted Felon and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime.

Hildebrant was transported by a Towns County Sheriff’s Office deputy to the county detention where a third baggy containing a white substance was purported as discovered on the subject’s person. Hildebrant was further charged with crossing a county guardline while in possession of an illicit substance. The suspect was additionally charged by Hiawassee Police Department with driving with an obsure tag, improper use of the central turn lane, and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.

The case will be forwarded to Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Hildebrant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

16 arrested on drug charges in past month

News
Towns County drug arrests

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – During the past month, 16 suspects were arrested on drug charges in Towns County. “The Towns County Sheriff’s Office continues to make good on its promise to pursue the arrests of suspects on drug-related charges in the community, with more traffic stops and searches producing drug arrests in recent weeks,” Towns County Chief Deputy Terry Conner said.

On Friday, Nov. 15, a Towns County deputy made a traffic stop on a Pontiac Grand Prix on State Highway 76 in Young Harris. The driver identified as Rene Chavira Jr., age 26 of Murphy, North Carolina was arrested and charged with: 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Marijuana, 1 Count Driving on Suspended License, 1 Count of Speeding.

On Saturday, Nov. 16, a Towns County deputy made a traffic stop on a Chevrolet pickup truck on State Highway 76 in Young Harris, Georgia. Upon further investigation, the passenger identified as Travis Mathew Reece, age 30 of Young Harris, was arrested on the following charges: 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act Possession of Methamphetamine, 1 Count Possession of Drug Related Objects, 1 Count Giving False Name to Law Enforcement Officer. Travis Reece was also arrested on three active warrants out of Towns County for 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act Possession of Methamphetamine, 1 Count Possession of Drug-Related
Objects, 1 Count Possession of Dangerous Drugs. The active warrants were the result of a search warrant previously conducted at a residence located off Ford Road in Young Harris, Georgia.

On Sunday, Nov. 17, Towns County deputies responded to a traffic accident reported on State Highway 75 south in Hiawassee, Georgia. The driver of one of the vehicles involved, Kimberly Tracy Holcombe, age 42 of Dahlonega, Georgia was arrested and charged with the following: 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
Possession of Methamphetamine, 1 Count Driving under the Influence, 1 Count Drug Related Objects.Towns County drug arrests

On Friday, Nov. 22, a Towns County deputy made a traffic stop on a Jeep Wrangler on State Highway 76 Young Harris. The driver identified as Sarah Victoria Williams age 19 of Social Circle, Georgia was arrested and charged with the following: 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act Possession of Marijuana, 1 Count Driving under the Influence, 1 Count Unlawful Use of Emergency Lights. The following passengers in the vehicle were arrested for the following charges: Kristen Nicole Grant age 19 of Buford, Georgia; 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act Possession of Marijuana, 1 Count Underage Possession of Alcohol. Baylee Nicole Hendrick, age 20 of Shelby, North Carolina; 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Marijuana,1 Count of Underage Possession of Alcohol. William Andrew Grohovac, age 19 of Cumming, Georgia; 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Marijuana. Ivie Ellis Gatlin, age 19 of Suwannee, Georgia; 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Marijuana, 1 Count Underage Possession of Alcohol. Madison Joy Dupriest, age 18 of Hayesville, North Carolina; 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
Possession of Marijuana, 1 Count of Underage Possession of Alcohol.

On Friday, Nov. 22, Towns County Deputies responded to a domestic incident in the parking lot of a business off State Highway 288 in Hiawassee. Upon further investigation of the incident, the following subjects were arrested: Tammy Bokstrom Lawler, age 47 of Murphy, North Carolina; 1-count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act Possession of Methamphetamine, 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act Possession of Marijuana, 1 Count of Drug Related Objects. Jason Joseph Williams, age 40 of Murphy, North Carolina; 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act Possession of Methamphetamine.

On Monday, November 25, a Towns County Deputy made a traffic stop on State Highway 76 in Young Harris, Georgia on a Ford pickup. Upon further investigation, the following subjects were arrested: Brandon Tracy Davenport, age 31 of Blue Ridge, Georgia; 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act Possession of
Marijuana, 1 Count Possession Drug Related Objects, 1 Count Driving on a Suspended License, 1 Count Violation of Telephone Hands-Free Law. Taylor Ray Parrott, age 28 of Warne, North Carolina; 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act Trafficking Methamphetamine, 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
Possession of Marijuana 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.

On Friday, Dec. 6, a Towns County deputy made a traffic stop on a Cadillac passenger car on Mill Creek Road in Hiawassee, Georgia. Upon further investigation, the driver identified as Nicole Hope Weaver, age 19 of Blairsville, Georgia was arrested and charged with: 1 Count Driving under the Influence (Drugs), 1 Count Failure to Maintain
Lane. A passenger in the vehicle David Allen Elliott, age 29 of Morganton, Georgia was also arrested and charged with; 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act Possession of Methamphetamine, 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act Possession of Marijuana.

On Friday, Dec. 13, a Towns County deputy made a traffic stop on a Jeep Cherokee on State Highway 76 in Hiawassee. Upon further investigation, the driver identified as Jason Eugene Cunningham age 38 of Blairsville, Georgia was arrested on the following charges: 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession
Methamphetamine, 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Marijuana, 1 Count Possession of Drug Related Objects, and 1 Count Violation of Headlight Requirements.

Chief Deputy Conner stated that the cases are still active, and 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.

Specialist urges community to destigmatize addiction

News
Clearview Center - Chatuge

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Drug addiction is a nationwide epidemic, and Towns County is not exempt from the toll that substance abuse can take on individuals, families, and the community as a whole.  Elizabeth McKeon, a board-certified psychiatric, recovery, and addiction RN with Chatuge Regional Hospital’s Clearview Center, shared the importance of destigmatizing drug addiction in order to help curb the epidemic within the area. McKeon explained that she accepted a position to coordinate a behavioral health holding area at the local emergency department to assist patients seeking treatment for behavioral health crises. The registered nurse said that the unit held a “great number of people” requesting detoxification from methamphetamine and heroin to alcohol.

opioid overdose stats

Opioid overdose has been identified as the nation’s most pressing health concern.

“I saw people I had grown up with suffering from these addictions,” McKeon said. “I realized very quickly that drug addiction has no boundaries and no one is safe in its path. I made alliances with local mobile crisis teams, churches, law enforcement, EMS, and anyone else willing to help battle this nightmare that had taken over my town. One thing I noticed the entire time was the stigma revolving around all behavioral health, including substance abuse.”

McKeon explained that people who are exposed to stigmatization related to drug use are less likely to seek treatment, increasing costs and deaths nationwide. Research shows that that cost-related estimates amounted to a staggering $510 billion in healthcare, criminal justice, and lost productivity combined. McKeon stated that by 2020, mental and substance use disorders will surpass all physical diseases as a major source of disability worldwide.

“When health providers carry a stigma towards people with mental health diagnoses and/or substance use disorders, it can affect their willingness to access or treat the patient for these disorders, how they approach him or her, and it may prevent addicted individuals from seeing healthcare altogether,” McKeon said.

McKeon encouraged the community to model non-stigmatizing behavior by providing non-judgemental, empathic support toward those battling substance addiction, displaying kindness, listening to someone’s story, seeing the person rather than the drug, educating oneself on substance dependency, volunteering, and avoiding hurtful labels.

McKeon and staff can be reached at the Clearview Center at 706-896-5840.

Related archive:

“Hands-Free” law leads to Hiawassee meth arrest

City Police, News

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Hiawassee Police Department conducted a traffic stop on North Main Street Tuesday, Nov. 19, on a gray Chevrolet Silverado, leading to the arrest of a South Carolina resident. According to the police report obtained by FYN,  a female subject was allegedly witnessed using a cellular device while driving at the time that the traffic stop was initiated.

Deborah Lynn Miles, 43, of Pelzer, SC, was arrested and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug-Related Objects following an investigation and vehicle search by the city’s law enforcement division.

A female passenger was charged with Open Container after alcohol was discovered in the vehicle.

Miles reportedly relayed to the arresting officer that she was using GPS mapping on her cellular device at the time of the traffic stop.

Miles and the passenger were transported to Towns County Detention Center. Both suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Georgia’s “Hands-Free” law took effect July 1, 2018, stating that:

  • Drivers cannot have a phone in their hand or touching any part of their body while talking on their phone while driving.
  • Even with hands-free technology, drivers cannot write, read or send text messages, e-mails, social media content, and other internet data while on the road. (Voice to text is allowed)
  • Drivers cannot watch videos when they are on the road.  (Navigational/GPS videos are allowed)
  • Drivers cannot use their phones or electronic devices to record video when they are on the road. (Continuously running dash cams are allowed)
  • Drivers may listen to streaming music that does not include videos on the screen of their phone or device while driving but cannot touch their phones while on the road to activate or program any music streaming app.  Streaming music that is controlled by and listened through the vehicle’s radio is allowed.   Drivers who need to touch their phones to activate/program their music streaming apps must do so before getting on the road

  • The fine for a first conviction is $50.00 and 1 point assessed against the driver’s license.  The fine is $100.00 and 2 points for a second conviction and $150.00 and 3 points for three or more convictions.  The fines for a 2nd or 3rd offense only apply when the date of a 2nd or 3rd conviction takes place within 24 months of the date of the first conviction.  First-time offenders can have the charge dropped by showing the court they have obtained a device that allows them to talk on a phone with hands-free technology or devices.

 

Hiawassee Police Department archives

 

 

 

Hiawassee Police Department updates recent drug arrests

City Police, News
Hiawassee police

Hiawassee, GA – As previously reported by FYN on Oct. 23, officers with the Hiawassee Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle Oct. 20 for numerous equipment violations. During the traffic stop, officers searched the vehicle and located methamphetamine, cocaine, and other drugs and drug paraphernalia. Both occupants of the vehicle were arrested.

Hiawassee Police Department

James Bailey

James Bailey was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Less than One Ounce of Marijuana, Possession, and Use of Drug Related Objects (x3), Failure to Maintain Brake Lights, and Defective Lighting Equipment. Rachel Goodwin was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Less than One Ounce of Marijuana, and Possession and Use of Drug Related Objects (x3).

Rachel Goodwin

 Rachel Goodwin

“It has been several years since we have seen cocaine in Hiawassee,” Chief Paul Smith stated Nov. 6. “Bailey and Goodwin also had other drugs in their possession that we were unable to identify with our field test kits. Those drugs have been submitted to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations Crime Lab for testing and identification. Once the drugs are identified, additional charges may be brought against the two. As always, I am very proud of the hard work done by the officers of this department.”

According to law enforcement, the unidentified substance appeared to be “black tar” heroin.

Additionally, Hiawassee Police Department officers stopped Daniel Jones Oct. 27 for a moving violation. Upon searching the vehicle, officers located multiple bags of methamphetamine which were packaged for distribution. Jones was arrested and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession, and Use of Drug-Related Objects (x2), Possession of Less than One Ounce of Marijuana, Driving While License Suspended, and Improper Use of Central Turn Lane.

Hiawassee Police Department

Daniel Jones

Hiawassee Police Department serves within the city limits of Hiawassee.

The cases have been turned over to the Enotah Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sheriff’s Office continues crack down on drugs

News

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Investigators and deputies with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office continue their pursuit of drug suspects in the Towns County area. On Sunday evening, Sept. 15, Towns County deputies responded to a residence off Valley View Drive in Hiawassee in reference to a domestic incident. Upon further investigation, deputies arrested the following suspects:

Charles Marion Adams III, 61, of Hiawassee was arrested and charged with:

  • 1 Count of Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Manufacturing Marijuana

Debra Adams, 60, of Hiawassee was arrested and charged with:

  • 1 Count of Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Distribution of a Schedule IV Drug, Xanax.

Nathan Adams, 18, of Hiawassee was arrested and charged with:

  • 1 Count of Violation of Georgia Controlled
    Substance Act, Possession of Schedule IV Drug
    Xanax
  • 1 Count of Drugs Not in Original Container

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, Towns County deputies arrested Joseph Larry Maney, 38,  of Cleveland, GA at a residence off Huey Lane in Hiawassee. Maney was charged with the following:

  • 1 Count Violation Georgia Controlled Substance Act,Possession of Methamphetamine
  • 1 Count Drug Related Objects
  • 1 Count Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer

Maney was additionally wanted on a warrant out of Hall County for a probation violation.

On Wednesday Sept. 18, Towns County Sheriff’s Office investigators and deputies obtained and executed a search warrant at a residence located off Scataway Road in Hiawassee. Upon the completion of the search warrant, deputies arrested the following suspects:

Brittany Wright, 32, was arrested and charged with:

  • 1 Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of a Schedule IV Drug Xanax
  • 1 Count Drugs Not Kept in Original Container
  • 1 Count Possession of Drug Related Objects

Jamison Chadwick Williams, 42, of Hiawassee was arrested and charged with:

  • 1 Count of Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Marijuana
  • 7 Counts Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

Williams is additionally being held on a Jackson County probation warrant.

On Thursday, Sept. 19, Law enforcement officers obtained and executed a search warrant at a residence located off Sunnyside Road in Hiawassee. Information that was provided by a City of Hiawassee Police Officer assisted county deputies with obtaining the search warrant. The following suspects were arrested upon the completion of the
search warrant:

Bobby Croy, 46, of Hiawassee was arrested and charged with the following:

  • 1 Count of Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Methamphetamine
  • 1 Count of Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Schedule II Drugs
  • 1 Count of Drug Related Objects.

Ryan Croy, 26, of  Hiawassee was arrested and charged with the following:

  • 1 Count of Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Methamphetamine
  • 1 Count of Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Schedule II Drugs
  • 1 Count Drug Related Objects

“The Towns County Sheriff’s Office will continue their strong effort to seek out the drug suspects within the Towns County area, and additional arrests will be forth coming,” Towns County Chief Deputy Terry Conner stated. “The above cases 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.

Reported roadside domestic dispute leads to drug arrest

News

HIAWASSEE, Ga, – On Tuesday afternoon, August 13, an officer with Hiawassee Police Department reported to Towns County Sheriff’s deputies a possible domestic incident on the northbound shoulder of State Route 75 South. The officer observed a vehicle pulled over on the shoulder of the roadway, occupied by a male and female whom appeared to be engaged in a domestic dispute.

Towns County deputies responded to meet with the city officer. According to law enforcement, the female subject appeared and behaved as if under the influence of some type of drugs. Upon further investigation, the female was identified as Anna Damewood, 20, of Gainesville, Georgia. Damewood was arrested and charged with:

  • 1 Count Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act (Possession of Methamphetamine)
  • 1 Count of Drug-Related Objects

The male subject was identified as Anthony David Stephenson, 37, of Dacula, Georgia. Stephenson was
arrested and charged with:

  • 1 Count of Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer

Authorities determined that Stephenson was wanted on charges out of Gwinnett County for a probation violation warrant and Cobb County on a bench warrant for failure to appear on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

The Towns County charges will be forwarded to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Both suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Hiawassee Police Department intercepts 116 grams of methamphetamine in recent weeks

City Police, News
Hiawassee Police Department

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Two additional drug dealers were recently taken off the streets of Hiawassee. On June 30, Richard Deaton of Flowery Branch, GA was stopped by the Hiawassee Police Department for a vehicle equipment violation. A probable cause search of Deaton revealed 18 grams of methamphetamine and 4 grams of marijuana. Deaton was arrested and charged with: Turn Signal Requirements, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute.

Joseph Llorens

Joseph Llorens

On Sunday, July 28, Hiawassee Police Department stopped a vehicle for a violation of Georgia’s hands-free law. The driver was arrested for driving with a suspended driver’s license. An inventory of the vehicle revealed 98 grams of methamphetamine and 28 grams of marijuana. Joseph Llorens of Cleveland, GA was charged with: Driver to Exercise Due Care, Driving While License Suspended, Possession and Use of Drug Related Objects, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, and Trafficking Methamphetamine.

Richard Deaton

Richard Deaton

“While it is unfortunate that people are bringing these drugs into our community, our officers are doing a fantastic job in detecting and arresting those who are responsible,” Chief Paul Smith stated. “Arresting the drug dealers is a very important step in combating the drug problem. I’m proud of the work we’re doing in Hiawassee.”

The discovery of 98 grams of methamphetamine is one of the largest drug seizures by the Hiawassee Police Department, Smith said.

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

Young Harris traffic stop leads to drug arrest

News

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Towns County Sheriff’s Office investigators and deputies continue their push to arrest drug suspects throughout the Towns County area. On Tuesday, July 23, a Towns County deputy conducted a traffic stop on King Cove Road at the intersection of Gumlog Road in Young Harris on a Toyota truck.

After initiating the traffic stop and upon further investigation, the deputy arrested Stephanie Nicolette Phillips, 40, of Marble, North Carolina on the following charges:

  • One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Methamphetamine
  • One Count Driving on Suspended License
  • One Count Tampering with Evidence
  • One Count Possession of Drug Related Objects
  • Two Counts Defective Equipment (No Brake Lights, Busted Windshield)

“The Towns County Sheriff’s Office will continue their strong effort to seek out the drug suspects within the Towns County area, and additional arrests will be forth coming,” Towns County Chief Deputy Terry Conner said.

The above case will be forwarded to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Phillips is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.   

According to Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) statistics, methamphetamine arrests throughout the state have increased approximately 16 percent in recent years:

  • 12,703 in 2015
  • 13,634 in 2016
  • 14,742 in 2017

“It’s in every county in our state, and it’s inundated our crime lab,” Deneen Kilcrease, the Chemistry Section Manager of the GBI Crime Lab in DeKalb County, said in February. “County after county, the number one drug is methamphetamine. We only see about half the amount of cocaine that we do methamphetamine.”

City of Hiawassee employee arrested for methamphetamine

City Police, News

HIAWASSEE, Ga.  – Patti Diane Moon, 60, a billing clerk for the City of Hiawassee, was arrested Sunday morning, Aug. 25, by Hiawassee Police Department on multiple charges.

Moon was allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road when the traffic stop was conducted. Upon investigation by Hiawassee Police Department, Moon was arrested and charged with the following crimes:

  • Possession of Methamphetamine
  • Possession of Drug-Related Objects
  • Driving Under the Influence
  • Drugs not in Original Container
  • Failure to Drive in Single Lane
  • Driving on Wrong Side of Road

Hiawassee City Council went into executive session following last night’s monthly work session to discuss a personnel matter, possibly in connection with Moon’s arrest.

Moon is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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