Sheriff’s candidate strives for ‘open dialogue’ with citizens
Election, News February 12, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – A clear line of communication between law enforcement officers and the citizens that they serve is an integral component of effective policing, and it is a topic that Towns County sheriff’s candidate Daren “Bear” Osborn chose to publicly address Feb. 11.
“I believe that the best way to protect our citizens is to be informed about current issues, problems, and public safety needs in our county,” Osborn stated. “I believe that a strong partnership between law enforcement and local citizens through community policing and information sharing will serve our county well. Many problems can easily be solved through clear communication, open dialogue, and complete transparency. I believe a strong sheriff can lead and serve humanely and compassionately without adversity. A sheriff’s ability to enforce the law without conflict or aggression speaks to his character.”
According to FYN’s research, the U.S. Department of Justice agrees. “Transparency is essential to positive police-community relationships,” the national agency explained. “Strong relationships of mutual trust between police agencies and the communities they serve are critical to maintaining public safety and effective policing. Police officials rely on the cooperation of community members to provide information about crime in their neighborhoods, and to work with the police to devise solutions to crime and disorder problems. Similarly, community members’ willingness to trust the police depends on whether they believe that police actions reflect community values and incorporate the principles of procedural justice and legitimacy.”
Osborn, an active member in the Towns County community long before election season officially began, has spent a vast amount of time practicing what he preached in the form of public outreach. The sheriff’s candidate has met one-on-one with countless residents thus far, gaining a deeper insight into citizens’ concerns.
Osborn said, as sheriff, he will continue encouraging Towns County citizens to bring problems to the attention of law enforcement. “Together, we can accomplish all our goals in making Towns County a safe, pleasant, and respected county in which to live,” Osborn concluded.
Continue to follow FYN for local, state, and national campaign coverage as the May 19 primary election approaches.
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Young Harris man charged with child sodomy
News February 5, 2020
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Towns County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 38-year-old Young Harris man on Friday, Jan. 31, on charges of aggravated child molestation, felony sodomy, and felony statutory rape.
Following a criminal investigation, Christopher Ray Bryson was taken into custody and transported to the Towns County Detention Center. According to the arrest report obtained by FYN, the alleged molestation occurred between the months of August and October 2019. The investigation was launched on Oct. 4, following information received by a resource officer at Towns County High School. The alleged molestation was listed as occurring “off-campus.”
Union County Sheriff’s Office previously arrested Bryson on Oct. 28, 2019, on two counts of statutory rape, two counts of aggravated child molestation, and two counts of aggravated sodomy.
Georgia Law defines Aggravated Child Molestation in O.C.G.A. §16-6-4 as: “A person commits the offense of aggravated child molestation when such person commits an offense of child molestation which act physically injures the child or involves an act of sodomy.”
Georgia Law O.C.G.A. §16-6-2 states that a person commits the offense of sodomy when he or she performs or submits to any sexual act involving the sex organs of one person and the mouth or anus of another.
According to research, a person convicted of aggravated child molestation will be punished by life in prison or by a split sentence of at least 25 years in prison followed by probation for life. In addition to incarceration, a defendant convicted of aggravated child molestation will be required to register as a sex offender. Georgia’s General Assembly found that the State has a compelling interest in protecting the public from sexual offenders and in protecting children from predatory sexual activity. Therefore, the State requires sex offenders to register and provide the public notice of the presence of sex offenders.
The case will be forwarded to Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Bryson is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Towns County GOP targeted in ‘egging’ attack, signs reported stolen
News January 27, 2020
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – FYN received information on Jan. 27 that the Towns Republican Party headquarters in Young Harris was targeted in an overnight “egging” incident. FYN spoke with Towns County GOP Chairwoman Besty Young, with Young stating that she is “shocked” by the political attack. “In all my years in politics, I have never had anything like an egging happen before,” Young said, concerned that the incident could be the start of an escalating situation.
Towns County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Terry Conner confirmed that an incident report was taken by a responding deputy and that the matter will be followed up with an investigation. Conner said that the offense is related to criminal trespass, given the fact that less than an estimated $500 in property damage occurred.
Young later informed FYN that a sheriff’s office investigator collected the eggshells from the scene to process as evidence.
FYN was additionally contacted by Jeanie Loiacono, an office volunteer for the Towns County Republican Pary. Loiacono reported that Trump campaign signs have been disappearing from the area. Loiacono said that the issue was brought to the attention of Towns County Sheriff’s Office Captian Jim Couch over the weekend at the candidate’s meet-and-greet event, with Couch advising the public to report the theft of campaign signage to authorities. “I guarantee that Couch is going be the next sheriff,” the GOP volunteer began, adding that the allegedly stolen Trump signs were secured with zip ties to prevent wind damage and deter theft. “If the signs are stolen from private property and the people are caught, it’s criminal trespass.”
FYN reached out to the Towns County Democratic Party, offering an opportunity to weigh-in on the alleged , overnight attack. The Towns County Democrats did not respond to FYN’s request for comment prior to publication.
It should be noted that no assumptions as to who may be responsible for perpetrating the incident were issued by the Towns County Republican Party.
“Throwing perishables in protest has a long and often illustrious history,” the Guardian reported in 2015. “In AD63 the Roman governor Vespasian was pelted with turnips by subjects fed up with his punitive policies. Eggs made an appearance in the middle ages when prisoners were regularly put in stocks and pelted with them. Elizabethan theatre-goers threw rotten eggs to protest against bad acting, which some might say is not so dissimilar to their use in the theatre of politics today. And in Middlemarch, set in the 1830s, George Eliot was familiar enough with the practice to subject Mr. Brooke to the humiliating fate of a substantial egging during an election speech: “Here an unpleasant egg broke on Mr. Brooke’s shoulder… then came a hail of eggs, chiefly aimed at the image, but occasionally hitting the original, as if by chance.”
Sheriff’s wife blames victim’s brother for fatal crash
News January 14, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – The death of Terry Silvers, a Hiawassee resident who was killed in a fatal accident early last year, appears fresh in the minds of many Towns County citizens as the 2020 sheriff’s campaign cycle advances. Mark Silvers, the brother of the famed victim, responded to an announcement of Cpl. Lisa Joseph‘s bid for sheriff, connecting the candidate to her husband, Cpl. Greg Joseph, the Towns County deputy who drew widespread media attention due to his involvement, or lack thereof, in Silvers’ tragic death.
The deadly crash, which many believe could have been prevented by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, left a 911 caller who witnessed the accident emotionally scarred, and a grandmother and grandchild injured.
Click for Terry Silvers’ archives
In response to Mark Silvers’ disapproval of Deputy Lisa Joseph’s candidacy, Crystal Clinton – the wife of retiring Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton – lashed out on FYN’s social media, holding the victim’s grieving brother accountable for Terry Silvers’ demise. “Why didn’t you stop him? YOU are the person responsible for his death,” the sheriff’s wife emphasized. Members of the victim’s family, as well as others, reacted with shock to the elected official wife’s callous remark, telling FYN that the comment caused anguish.
Ms. Clinton caused a similar reaction from Silvers’ family and friends in November, changing her social media profile image to a photograph of the victim, adding that it was meant for those so “concerned.”
The sheriff’s wife changed her profile picture to that of Terry Silvers, causing the victim’s family what they described as further grief.
Furthermore, Ms. Clinton referenced a live interview conducted by FYN with Mark Silvers shortly after his brother’s death. During the interview, Silvers stated that while he knew that his brother was in no condition to drive on the evening of his death, and advised him not to leave the residence, his now-deceased brother was defiant. “I figured if I called the law on him, they’d let him go again,” Silvers told FYN last spring, referencing multiple occasions that the sheriff’s office had released his drug-addicted sibling without charges.
Click to hear interview with Mark Silvers
This is not the first time that Sheriff Clinton’s wife has made headlines, however, with Ms. Clinton falsely accusing an appointed official of being a convicted felon last fall, along with defamatory allegations fired at a contender in the sheriff’s race.
Click for Crystal Clinton archive
Furthermore, numerous individuals – some of whom served as officers under Sheriff Clinton’s leadership – have questioned the agenda of two Towns County sheriff deputies who have recently announced candidacy for Office of Sheriff in the 2020 election. While both candidates have received support, others believe that their bid may be an extension of the retiring sheriff’s ruffled reign, with Ms. Clinton’s recent outburst seemingly solidifying the concept in their minds.
On Jan. 13, FYN requested an interview with Towns County Capt. Jim Couch, who announced his bid for sheriff last week. The sheriff’s candidate declined, stating that he did not want to “get in the middle” of unrelated controversy surrounding the highly-contested sheriff’s race at this time. Towns County Cpl. Lisa Joseph has not responded to FYN’s invitation to interview.
Sheriff’s candidate Linda Curtis expressed disapproval over the handling of the Silvers’ case by the agency during a Jan. 7 conversation with FYN, recalling that the Towns County Sheriff’s Office did not accept responsibility for their role in the incident nor alter its policies thereafter. Curtis added that Heather Cassidy Segars – the 911 caller who faced an online attack from Ms. Clinton following the notorious 2019 accident – should be “commended” for her heroic attempt to prevent the fatal collision.
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Fifth candidate enters Towns County sheriff’s race
Election, News January 13, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Lisa Joseph, a deputy with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, announced Jan. 12 that she plans to seek Office of Sheriff in this year’s election. Corporal Joseph announced the launch of her campaign on her social media page Sunday night, directing the public to a website for the following information.
“As a law enforcement professional, with a strong background in criminal justice, I am honored to introduce myself as a candidate for the office of Sheriff – Towns County. Living and working in this great community for the past five years has truly been a blessing for our family and I am looking forward to the opportunity to bring about positive change as your Sheriff. My professional experience, training and education have prepared me for this important position. My professional career began as an educator in the Cobb and Cherokee County School Districts. While working as a Special Education teacher, I pursued and completed two graduate degree programs, earning a Master of Education and a Master of Criminal Justice. My interest and passion for community protection and service, led me to leave education and enter the law enforcement profession.
“My Career journey has provided me the opportunity to develop a solid foundation and gain valuable insight and leadership skills having served in a wide range of law enforcement roles in the state of Georgia to include:
Certified Dispatcher – Cherokee County
Detention Officer – Fannin County
Sergeant/State Certified Peace Officer – Fannin County
Road Deputy – Towns County
Shift Supervisor/Corporal – Towns County
“Serving the citizens of Towns County in my current position as a Corporal/Shift Supervisor has given me first-hand knowledge of the issues facing our community. Whether it is combating drugs, decreasing the crime rate or implementing animal control services, I am committed to communicating and working tirelessly with all branches of the county government to create a successful and positive environment for growth through our vision of honesty, integrity, and moral values. I would be honored to further serve this county in which I am deeply committed. I look forward to visiting with familiar faces, as well as the new faces that I will meet along this journey.”
Joseph listed her hometown as Hinesville, Georgia, on her social media page. Joseph serves on the Towns County Sheriff’s Office with husband Corporal Greg Joseph.
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Capt. Jim Couch announces bid for Towns County Sheriff
Election, Press Release January 9, 2020
PRESS RELEASE
HIAWASSEE, Ga.— Building upon an entire career of public service as a law enforcement leader, Jim Couch is pleased to announce his candidacy for Office of Sheriff of Towns County.
Currently a captain with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, Couch brings 41 years of wide-ranging law enforcement experience, including in large metro departments as well as small and medium communities.
“It has been an honor for me to serve the people of Towns County,” Couch said. “I feel that my years of experience uniquely qualify me to lead the Towns County Sheriff’s Office into the next decade. I am confident that my knowledge and training will allow me to structure and prepare the agency to manage the growth that is inevitable in this area.”
Towns County’s primary election is May 19 with the General election set for November 3.
Couch will run as a Republican. Couch began his law enforcement career in 1978 as a dispatcher with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. In the early years of his career, after graduating from North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy, he worked for several metro Atlanta departments including M.A.R.T.A Police Department, Cobb County and Marietta Police Departments, and Douglasville and Powder Springs Police Departments.
He and his family have been North Georgia residents since 1996, when he accepted a position with the White County Sheriff’s Office under the leadership of Sheriff Neal Walden. Prior to that he was employed with the Fulton County Marshal’s Department as a Deputy Marshal/Sergeant. He also served with the Georgia Army National Guard from 1986-1994 and was called to active duty in 1990-1991 during Desert Shield/Storm. Couch received an Honorable Discharge in 1994.
While at the White County Sheriff’s Office, he was named Captain/Patrol Division Commander before accepting the position of Police Chief with the City of Helen in 2012. In 2015, Couch accepted a position with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office where he serves as Captain over Field Operations under the leadership of Sheriff Chris Clinton.
“My wife Julie and I are proud to call Towns County home,” Couch said. “We are deeply invested in this area, and I understand how important the bonds of a community can be for families. As we now look at our adult children raising their own kids, I want to make sure I do all I can to help build safer, healthier communities for the people of Towns County.”
Click to read: Couch’s history surfaces as sheriff’s election heats up
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Sheriff’s candidate hopes to ‘move agency into tomorrow’
Election, News January 8, 2020
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – FYN sat down with Linda J. Curtis, candidate for Towns County sheriff, Jan. 7, to disseminate the retired law enforcement officer’s plans if elected to office in November. Curtis served a total of 17 years as a police officer in Florida prior to relocating to Towns County. Curtis intends to run on the Republican Party ticket, stating that she has been a Republican for the past 35 years.
“The first thing that I want to do is move this agency into tomorrow,” Curtis said. “You know that old cliche, ‘if you keep on doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep on keeping what you’ve always gotten?’ It seems like every candidate that runs, runs on the same thing. Drugs are important here. They’re a problem in this county, but they’re a problem in every county…But there’s a lot of other problems here than just focusing on drugs. We need to give drugs 100-percent attention, no doubt, but we also have about 15 other problems that need attention also. Every candidate seems to be saying the same thing. Drugs are a problem here. They are, but what about all of the other problems that we have?” Curtis continued, explaining that an “administrative foundation” is needed within the sheriff’s office. “And we need to start caring about each other as a community.”
When asked what is working well within the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, and what could benefit from improvement, Curtis said that deputies are “on top” of the drug problem. “I think they’re taking the trash out. I think they are maintaining. I think the deputies are probably doing the best they can with the tools that they’re given right now,” the sheriff’s candidate explained. “When (retiring Sheriff) Chris (Clinton) came in, he started the CLEA. He kind of got community policing going. He went after the drugs. But we never really moved forward from that. If we keep electing the same mentality we’ll be right back here in four years because we have to work on everything. We have to work on community policing. We have to work on investigations.”
Curtis stated that if elected, she plans to build upon the Citizen Law Enforcement Academy (CLEA) program, additionally implementing a student police academy for 5th and 6th-grade students if the funding is available. More so, the sheriff’s contender listed better communication between the sheriff’s office and Towns County 911 dispatch as an area in need of improvement, as well as advanced training for emergency dispatchers.
FYN asked Curtis, who ran as an Independent sheriff’s candidate due to her residency status in 2016, her current thoughts on accepting a controversial endorsement from the Victory Fund four years prior. The Victory Fund strives to elect openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender candidates to political offices throughout America. Curtis called the endorsement the nail in her 2016 campaign coffin, adding that she is not a gay activist as accused by the then-GOP county chairman. “I would definitely want to move the agency into tomorrow,” Curtis said, however. “I don’t know if I would quite use the word progressive, but we have to move it forward.” In a region that undeniably leans toward conservatism, the sheriff’s contestant claimed that she faced harassment during the 2016 election cycle due to her orientation.
Presumingly referencing fellow candidate Daren Osborn, who has publicly vowed to serve as a “working sheriff” if elected, Curtis stated that the community deserves more.
“It’s not throwing on a gold badge and riding around in a patrol car. That’s not what being sheriff means to me. And I know this is probably going to upset people, but any monkey can be a working sheriff. Any monkey can jump off the road and say we’re going to work on drugs. But we’ve got so many other problems there,” Curtis said. “A working sheriff is great, but we need better than a working sheriff. We need an everything sheriff. We need to be good at admin, community policing, investigations, and we need to get out from behind the desk. We need to be in good physical condition. If my deputies are going to get out there and run a mile, by God, I need to run a mile too.”
Curtis said that her 11 years serving with Altamonte Police Department provided her with the training and experience to take office as Towns County’s next sheriff, describing the Florida agency as “very busy with high crime and high pressure.”
“As far as being a candidate for sheriff, does it make me a better cop? Not necessarily,” Curtis said. “Does it make me better able to handle a crisis? Absolutely because I’ve been in it.”
The sheriff’s candidate listed volunteer work with the local Lions Club, VFW, and the Lake Chatuge clean-up project as community service endeavors, encouraging other candidates to likewise “show what they’ve done to make the county better.”
Curtis resides in Hiawassee with partner, Debbie. The recently-wedded couple relocated to the area in 2010, becoming full-time residents in 2014.
Related Archive:
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Interview with Osborn, candidate for Towns County’s next sheriff
Election, News December 22, 2019
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – FYN interviewed Towns County sheriff’s candidate Daren “Bear” Osborn last week, peering into the contender’s plans if elected to office in 2020. Osborn was the first challenger to enter the sheriff’s race, a month prior to Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton’s retraction to seek a fourth term. Osborn released a lengthy list of goals and objectives Oct. 16, five days after his candidacy announcement. The sheriff’s candidate has undoubtedly put into action his promise to become “a working sheriff,” regularly attending political engagements and volunteering at community events with wife, Missy, long before his campaign officially launched. Osborn had since taken to visiting Towns County constituents in a door-to-door approach, seeking future votes of confidence.
Curtis enters Towns County sheriff’s race
News December 19, 2019
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Linda J. Curtis, an Independent candidate in the 2016 Towns County sheriff’s election, has officially announced intent to run for Office of the Sheriff in 2020. Curtis announced the decision on her Facebook page on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 19.
“I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas,” Curtis wrote. “Also I want to send out a special thanks for your loyalty, dedication, and support in my decision to run for sheriff in the upcoming election. For the protection of your privacy and mine, I will only be using minimal Facebook time for my campaign. Again, thank you for your support. It has touched my heart, really.”
Curtis, a former law enforcement officer, joins Daren “Bear” Osborn and Kenneth “Ode” Henderson in the 2020 Towns County sheriff’s race.
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16 arrested on drug charges in past month
News December 14, 2019
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.
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.
TCSO issues official statement on Young Harris shooting
Press Release December 6, 2019
PRESS RELEASE – Dec. 6. 2019: The Towns County 911 Center received a call at 05:35 hours Tuesday morning of a shooting at a residence on Chicken Pit Road in Young Harris. The victim was identified as Dawn Thurman Wright of Young Harris. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital. The injury was non-life threatening.
As of Tuesday night, the victim was still hospitalized in stable condition. Towns County Sheriff’s Office asks any residents in the area of Chicken Pit Road that observes any suspicious male subjects or activity to call Towns County 911 to report it. The weapon believed to have been used has been recovered.
Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations are assisting Sheriff’s Office investigators with the shooting incident. Anyone with information surrounding the incident is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 706- 896-4444 or Towns County 911 Center.
The case is active and ongoing at this point.
FYN Breaking Reports:
Bald Mountain Park treasurer arrested on theft charges
News November 3, 2019HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County Sheriff’s Office informed that an allegation was made Oct. 23 in reference to theft of funds from the Bald Mountain Park Homeowners’ Association checking account. According to the sheriff’s office report, the information relayed to deputies indicated that over $9,000 was suspected to have been stolen over a ten-month period of time between the dates of December 2018 and September 2019.
Upon investigation into the reported incident, law enforcement officials state that checking account records were gathered and several interviews were conducted.
At the completion of the initial investigation, Pamela Dawn Smith, 65, of Hiawassee – identified as treasurer of the Bald Mountain Park Homeowners Association – was arrested and charged with One Count of Theft by Taking.
The investigation is currently active and ongoing at this time, authorities say. The case will be forwarded to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Sheriff’s Office continues crack down on drugs
News September 21, 2019HIAWASSEE, 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.
Hiawassee traffic stop leads to massive seizure, felony drug charges
News September 21, 2019
Lonnie Max Marcus
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – A joint drug investigation ended Friday, Sept. 13, following the traffic stop of a Young Harris man who was charged with trafficking methamphetamine. The joint investigation was conducted by Towns County Sheriff’s Office, Hiawassee Police Department, Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, and Union County Sheriff’s Office,.
On the morning of Sept. 13, 2019, a Hiawassee Police officer conducted a traffic stop on a Harley Davidson motorcycle. The driver was identified as Lonnie Max Marcus, 44, of Young Harris, GA. Upon further investigation, Marcus was arrested without incident and charged with the following:
- 1 Count Violation Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Methamphetamine
- 1 Count Violation Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Schedule IV drug, Xanax
- 1 Count Possession of Firearm During the Commission of Felony
- 1 Count Removing Plate to Conceal Vehicle Identity
- 1 Count Operating Vehicle without Registration
- 1 Count No Insurance
Hiawassee Police Department seized the 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle, approximately $8,000 in cash, and a firearm at the time of the traffic stop. Investigators and officers with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, Towns County Sheriff’s Office, Hiawassee Police Department, and Union County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the shop of Marcus, located off Highway 66 in Young Harris, later that day.
Investigators seized and recovered a quantity of methamphetamine with a street value of $11,200, cash in the amount of approximately $32,000, and 29 firearms from the location.
“Lonnie Max Marcus, upon the completion of the search warrant, was arrested for Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Trafficking Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime, Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, and Possession of a Sawed Off Shotgun. There will be additional charges forthcoming,” Towns County Chief Deputy Terry Conner stated.
The case will be forwarded to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Marcus is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
Shriner impersonator arrested on theft charges
News September 7, 2019HIAWASSEE, Ga. – On Tuesday Aug. 20, Towns County deputies responded to a complaint of a subject collecting money at the intersection of State Highway 75 South and State Highway 76 in Hiawassee. Upon the deputies arrival, a male subject was observed wearing a Shriner’s Fez hat,and a yellow caution vest with a bucket collecting money. Deputies identified the subject as Tommy Erford Walker, 48, of Demorest, Georgia.
Tommy Erford Walker
According to Towns County Sheriff’s Office, the subject identified himself to deputies as a Shriner. Walker advised his post had sent him to the location. Walker further advised he did not have his identification card with him.
White County Sheriff’s Office arrested the same subject at the intersection of State Highway 254 and Duncan Bridge Road collecting money in their county. White County was able to confirm with the Yaarab Shrine Temple that Walker was not a Shriner. Upon bond release in White County on Wednesday, Sept. 5 , Towns County deputies arrested and charged Walker with Theft by Deception in reference to the local incident. Walker remained in the Towns County Detention Center before being released on bond Sept. 5 .
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.
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Reported roadside domestic dispute leads to drug arrest
News August 16, 2019HIAWASSEE, 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.