Young Harris traffic stop leads to methamphetamine arrest
Arrest Reports, News March 26, 2019
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – On Saturday, March 23, Towns County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a suspect on drug charges following a traffic stop in Young Harris. A Towns County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped a White Jeep Liberty on Highway 66 on a traffic violation.
Mary Ann Walker
Upon further investigation into the traffic stop, the deputy arrested Mary Ann Walker, 54, of Calhoun, GA, on the following charges:
- One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Methamphetamine)
- One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Marijuana)
- One Count Drug Related Objects
- One Count Violation of Brake Light Requirement
The investigation is active and ongoing. The case will be referred to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Walker is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Methamphetamine use can easily lead to a serious addiction, and its abuse is a widespread issue in the United States. Use of the drug creates serious health problems and, in some cases, leads to fatal consequences. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) claimed that approximately 774,000 people were current methamphetamine users in 2017, roughly 0.3 percent of the population. That amount is up starkly from the 667,000 people who were current methamphetamine users in 2016.
Young Harris woman faces drug and obstruction charges
Arrest Reports, News March 11, 2019
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – On Saturday, March 2, Towns County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a residence on King Cove Road in Young Harris, in reference to a domestic incident. Upon arrival, deputies reported that a white, female subject was located in the yard of the residence. Following an initial investigation, the female was arrested after deputies spoke with the subject.
Summer Wilson
Summer Dawn Wilson, 40, of Morganton, NC, was arrested and charged with the following offenses:
- One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act (Posession of Methamphetamine)
- One Count Drug-Related Objects
- Two Counts Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer
- One Count Simple Battery
Towns County Sheriff’s Office informed that Wilson resisted arrest on scene, leading to the obstruction charges.
The case will be fowarded to Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Wilson is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Hiawassee traffic stop leads to morphine, meth arrests
City Police, News September 25, 2019
Darla Conner
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Two females were arrested and charged with drug possession Tuesday, Sept. 17, following a traffic stop conducted on Bell Creek Road by Hiawassee Police Department.
Upon investigation, Darla Lin Conner, 36, and Shannon Marie Austin, 35, both of Blairsville, GA, were taken into custody after a vehicle search led to the discovery of illicit substances. A male passenger was released without charges after officers determined that the subject was not in posssession of illegal items. According to the arresting officer’s report, the “faint odor of green marijuana” was detected in the vehicle, giving the officer probable cause to search
Darla Lin Conner was charged with the following: Possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a drug related object, and brake light requirements.
Shannon Austin
Shannon Marie Austin was charged with the following: Possession of methamphetamine, possession of a drug related object, possession of a controlled substance (morphine) and possession of a dangerous drug.
Several morphine pills were reported by law enforcement as found in a small box with Austin’s possessions. Morphine is a prescribed narcotic used medically to relieve acute or chronic moderate to severe pain.
The case will be forwarded to Enotah District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Austin and Conner are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Young Harris traffic stop results in meth arrest
News May 20, 2019
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – On Saturday, May 18, a Towns County Sheriff’s Office Deputy conducted a traffic stop on Highway 76 in Young Harris that resulted in a felony drug arrest. A deputy stopped a black Chevrolet pickup on a traffic offense and discovered illegal drugs within the pickup upon further investigation.
Frederic Debray, 61, of Morganton, Georgia was arrested without incident and charged with One Count of Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Methamphetamine.
Towns County Sheriff’s Office reports the investigation as “currently active and ongoing.” The case will be referred to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Debray is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Two arrested in Young Harris for possession of methamphetamine
Arrest Reports, News March 18, 2019
YOUNG HARRIS, GA – Deputies and investigators with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office arrested two suspects on drug charges following a March 12 traffic stop.
Andrew Hogsed
Deputies stopped a white Ford Astro Van on Highway 17 in Young Harris, GA, on a traffic offense. According to the sheriff’s office, the driver provided the deputies with a false name. Upon further investigation into the traffic stop, the following suspects were arrested and charged with the listed offenses:
Emily Silknitter
Emily Ann Silknitter, 35, of Murphy, NC
- One count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Methamphetamine) - One count drug Related Objects
- One count Violation of Tail Light Requirement
- Two counts Seatbelt Violation (Juvenile)
- One count Giving False Name to Law Enforcement
Andrew Chase Hogsed, 23 ,of Murphy, NC
- One count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Methamphetamine) - One count of Drug Related Objects
The investigation is active and ongoing. The case will be referred to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Young Harris traffic stop leads to additional methamphetamine arrests
News June 17, 2019
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – As in recent weeks, Towns County Sheriff’s Office has continued their pursuit of drug suspects in the Towns County area. On Friday, June 14, a Towns County Sheriff’s Office deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Ford Escape on State Highway 339 in Young Harris for a traffic violation. Upon investigation, two suspects were arrested on drug related offenses.
Joe William Strain, 49, of Young Harris, was arrested and charged with the following:
- One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Methamphetamine)
- One Count Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer
Perry Green, 56, of Young Harris was arrested and charged with the following:
- Two Counts Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Methamphetamine)
- One Count of Improper Tag Display
The cases remain active, and under further investigation. Additional drug arrests and charges are likely. The 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.
Feature Image: (L-R) Joe Strain, Perry Green
TCSO continues to make methamphetamine arrests
News May 30, 2019
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – On Monday, May 20, a Towns County Sheriff’s Office deputy was dispatched to a call on Mining Gap Road in Young Harris. “The call was in reference to drugs which were discovered,” the sheriff’s office said. The deputy, upon further investigation into the call, arrested Richard Green, 29, of Hiawassee, Georgia.
Richard Green was arrested and charged with the following:
One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Methamphetamine)
One Count of Drug Related Objects
On Wednesday, May 22, Towns County Sheriff’s Office investigators and deputies, along with State of Georgia probation officers, conducted a search of a residence located off Gum Log Road in Young Harris, Georgia. Upon completion of the search, over $10,000 worth of illegal drugs, 2 firearms, cash, scales, and other items were recovered. Investigators arrested two suspects, Zachary Ramsey, 28, of Young Harris, and Emily Anderson, 23,
of Young Harris.
Zachary Ramsey was arrested and charged with the following:
One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Trafficking in Methamphetamine)
One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Methamphetamine with intent to Distribute)
One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Methamphetamine)
One Count Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony
One Count Possession of Drug Related Objects
Emily Anderson was arrested and charged with the following:
One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Traffiking in Methamphetamine)
One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute)
One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Methamphetamine)
One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Schedule II Drugs)
One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Schedule IV Drugs)
One Count Violation of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony
One Count Possession of Drug Related Objects
On Thursday, May 23 , during the early morning hours, Clay County Sheriff’s Office Deputies pursued a Jeep Cherokee into Towns County on Highway 66 in Young Harris. The occupants in the vehicle were observed tossing items out of the vehicle after it entered Town County, authorites said. Towns County investigators, along with deputies searched the area, recovering a firearm, as well as illegal drugs which had been thrown out of the fleeing vehicle. Towns County Sheriff’s investigators arrested the following suspects:
Travis Edward Brown, 41, of Marble, North Carolina, and Christin Elise Stinchcomb, 38, of Andrews, North Carolina. Travis Edward Brown was arrested and charged with the following:
One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Methamphetamine)
One Count Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
One Count Tampering with Evidence
Christin Elise Stinchcomb was arrested and charged with the following:
One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Methamphetamine)
One Count Tampering with Evidence
Clay County Sheriff’s Office has placed a hold on both suspects in reference to the prior warrants.
All cases are still active, and under further investigation. The 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.
Domestic violence leads to drug warrant arrest
Arrest Reports, News April 1, 2019YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Towns County Sheriff’s Office investigators and deputies responded to a residence Thursday, March 28, on Duncan Road in Young Harris in reference to a reported domestic incident involving physical injuries.
Derick Randal Canup
Upon the officers’ arrival, a female victim was located at the residence with visible physical injuries. The victim refused medical treatment at the time, although the victim agreed to later allow a family member take her for medical treatment.
Upon further investigation into the incident, officers located the suspect at the residence. Deputies arrested Derick Randal Canup, 28, of Hayesville, NC, on one count of battery under the Family Violence Act (FVA). Canup was arrested at the scene without incident.
Additionally, Canup was arrested on an active warrant out of Clay County, NC, for failure to appear in court on possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia charges.
Canup was released on bond from Towns County Detention Center on the battery FVA charge and turned over to Clay County authorities on the arrest order.
The battery FVA charge will be forwarded to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Canup is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Defendant in aggravated assault case enters plea, sentenced to serve three years
News June 12, 2019HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Jacob Lea Rose, a Hiawassee resident arrested for numerous crimes in late-2018 by Hiawassee Police Department, plead guilty to aggravated asault charges, Friday, May 31. Rose is set to serve three years of a ten year sentence, Towns County’s Clerk of Court’s Office told FYN. Charged by law enforcement with crimes ranging from previous methamphetamine possession, aggravated stalking, interfering with a 911 call, and cruelty to children, in connection to a domestic violence incident, additional charges on Rose were dismissed in exchange for a guilty plea on the assault charge.
“(The victim) stated she tried to leave the residence with (the children) and Mr. Rose caught her on the front porch of the residence, and used his hand to grab her around her throat, and began strangling her,” Hiawassee Police Department wrote in the December incident report. “(The victim) stated she was able to escape from Mr. Rose only to be caught by him again next to the van he had driven them to the house in which was parked in the driveway. (The victim) stated while next to the van, Mr. Rose used his hand, grabbed her around her throat, and began strangling her again while he banged her head against the side of the van. (The victim) stated when she was able to get away from Mr. Rose, she ran inside into the living room area of her home to get her cell phone to call 911. (The victim) stated while attempting to call 911, Mr. Rose grabbed the cell phone out of her hand, threw, and smashed the cell phone on the ground, breaking it. (The victim) stated after Mr. Rose broke her phone, he again used his hand to grab her around the throat and punched her in the face and head area several times. (The victim) stated both the family violence battery incident on the front porch, and the family violence incident in the living room of the residence, took place in the presence of (the children).”
Four months prior to the domestic dispute, Rose was arrested for methamphetamine possession, drug related objects, and driving on a suspended license by Hiawassee Police Department.
Hiawassee traffic stop nets three drug arrests
News May 3, 2019
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Hiawassee Police Department arrested and charged three suspects with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug-related objects shortly after noon on Sunday, April 28. An officer with the city law enforcement agency conducted a search after stopping a red Chevrolet S-10 for an expired license plate, near Valero gas station on State Route 76.
A portion of Towns County Sheriff’s Office arrest report
Robert David West, 40, of Hiawassee, was the driver of the vehicle at the time the traffic stop was initiated. Passengers included Mindy Lynn Taschner, 47, and Michael Cale Bowers, 25.
Hiawassee Police Department executed a probable cause-based search of the vehicle upon detecting the odor of marijuana, leading to the discovery of methamphetamine and drug-related objects. The three suspects were taken into custody and transported to Towns County Detention Center, each independently charged with possession of a controlled substance. The driver of the vehicle was additionally charged with an expired registration.
Michael Cale Bowers
The case will be submitted to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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.
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.
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Two arrested on drug charges at local fire station
City Police, News September 18, 2019
HIAWASSEE, GA. – Two suspects were taken into custody by Hiawassee Police Department on methamphetamine charges outside of Towns County Fire Station 1 on Sims Circle during the early morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 14. Towns County 911 received a call from one of the subjects who stated concern for the second subject’s safety. Hiawassee Police Department was dispatched to the location of the complaint. Towns County Sheriff’s Office assisted the city police agency on scene.
Alexander Raymond Ide
Upon arrival at the Towns County Fire Station, officers questioned the subjects who, according to the police report, willfully turned over a small quantity of methamphetamine to law enforcement without incident.
The subjects were identified as Alexander Raymond Ide, 20, and Jonathan Mathis Groundwater, 32, both of Hiawassee.
Jonathan Mathis Groundwater
Ide was charged with possession of methamphetamine and drug-related objects. Groundwater was charged with possession of methamphetamine. The suspects were transported to the Towns County Detention Center. The case will be forwarded to Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Ide and Groundwater are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
According to the police report, officers had earlier encountered Ide and Groundwater at the nearby Valero gas station. The duo were asked by law enforcement to vacate the property to avoid loitering. Following their arrests, a criminal trespass warning was issued to the suspects by a Towns County deputy, advising Ide and Groundwater not to return to the fire department property in the future.
Following request for documentation on the above incident, Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith informed FetchYourNews (FYN) that three additional methamphetamine arrests had occurred in recent days within the city limits. FYN will follow-up on the subsequent arrests once the newly-requested reports are completed by the department.
Eight Towns County residents arrested on variety of drug charges
News June 29, 2019
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Deputies with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office continued a spree of drug arrests, arresting a total of eight drug suspects in the past week. On Tuesday, June 25, Towns County investigators and deputies, with assistance from officers with Georgia Department of Community Supervision, in addition to drug investigators from Union County Sheriff’s Office, searched a residence off Mill Creek Road and Cynth Creek Road in Towns County.
The following suspects were arrested as a result of the searches:
James Paul Weaver, 38, of Hiawassee, Georgia
was charged with:
1 Count of V.G.C.S.A. Possession of Methamphetamine.
1 Count of V.G.C.S.A. Sell of Methamphetamine.
Sonia Renee Taylor, 43, of Hiawassee, Georgia
was charged with:
1 Count of V.G.C.S.A. Possession of Methamphetamine.
1 Count Driving on Suspended License.
Debra Ann Willis, 62, of Hiawassee Georgia was
charged with:
1 Count of V.G.C.S.A. Possession of Methamphetamine.
1 Count of Drug Related Objects.
Matthew Allen Anderson, 39, of Hiawassee, Georgia was charged with:
1 Count of V.G.C.S.A. Possession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
1 Count of V.G.C.S.A. Possession of Methamphetamine.
1 Count of V.G.C.S.A. Possession With Intent to Distribute Crack Cocaine.
1 Count of V.G.C.S.A. Possession of Crack Cocaine.
1 Count of V.G.C.S.A. Possession of Marijuana.
1 Count of Drug Related Objects.
Misty Michelle May, 38, of Hiawassee, Georgia was charged with:
1 Count of V.G.C.S.A. Possession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
1 Count of V.G.C.S.A. Possession of Methamphetamine.
1 Count of V.G.C.S.A. Possession With Intent to Distribute Crack Cocaine.
1 Count of V.G.C.S.A. Possession of Crack Cocaine.
1 Count of V.G.C.S.A. Possession of Marijuana.
1 Count of Drug Related Objects.
On Wednesday, June 26 , A Towns County deputy stopped a Chevrolet Malibu on Duncan Road in Young Harris, Georgia. The traffic stop resulted in the arrest of Elizabeth Morgan Black, 19, of Young Harris, Georgia.
Black was charged with the following:
1 Count of V.G.C.S.A. Possession of Methamphetamine.
1 Count of V.G.C.S.A. Possession of THC Oil.
1 Count of V.G.C.S.A. Possession of Marijuana.
1 Count of Drug Related Objects.
1 Count of Defective Equipment.
Two additional drug arrests have been made in recent
days :
Bobbie Leann Saxon, 38, of Hiawassee, Georgia was charged with:
1 Count of V.G.C.S.A. Possession of Methamphetamine.
Brent Kyle Weems, 46, of Young Harris, Georgia was charged with:
1 Count of V.G.C.S.A. Possession of Marijuana.
The Towns County Sheriff’s Office said they will continue their strong effort to seek out drug suspects within
the Towns County area, and additional arrests will be forth coming. 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.
Trio arrested on methamphetamine charges following traffic stop
News June 10, 2019
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Towns County Sheriff’s Office continued their pursuit of drug suspects in recent weeks, arresting three suspects on drug related charges following a traffic stop, Wednesday, June 5. A sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Jeep Cherokee on State Highway 76/515 in Young Harris, initially for a traffic violation. Upon further investigation and execution of a search warrant, the following suspects were arrested on the listed charges:
Daniel Scott Carver, 55, of Young Harris:
- One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Methamphetamine)
- One Count of Drug Related Objects
- One Count of Speeding
- Three Counts Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Sale of Methamphetamine)
Dewey Carver, 56, of Young Harris:
- Three Counts Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Distribution of Methamphetamine)
David Lamar Lovell, 61, of Young Harris:
- One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act
(Possession of Methamphetamine)
- One Count Possession of Drug Related Objects
The cases are still active, and under further investigation. Additional arrests and charges are likely. The 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.