Arrest made in overdose death of Cleveland woman
Business, News September 2, 2022
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. — An arrest has been made in connection with the death of a Cleveland woman whose body was discovered in a room at the M Star Hotel on Aug. 19.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) and the Cleveland Police Department arrested Olaffia Hester, age 27, of Gillsville Wednesday.
Hester was arrested for felony murder in connection to the overdose death of Katelyn Baker, age 23, of Cleveland. Baker’s body was discovered in a room at the M Star Hotel Cleveland by cleaning staff. The Cleveland Police Department and the White Coroner’s Office responded to the hotel and asked for ARDEO’s assistance when the death was suspected to be an overdose.
Hester was taken into custody in Gainesville with assistance from the Hall County Sheriff’s
Office. This is an ongoing investigation, and more charges are anticipated. For additional information about ARDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity look for ARDEO@appalachiandtf on twitter or follow on facebook@appalachianrdeo and/or Instagram.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the
following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Banks County, Jackson County,
Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Franklin County, Gilmer County, Fannin
County, the Cleveland Police Department and the Toccoa Police Department, along with the
Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia
Department of Community Supervision, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Two Cleveland men charged with overdose murder
Business, News June 13, 2022
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office and White County Sheriff’s Office arrested two Cleveland men on Friday (June 10) who are charged with the overdose murder of Dylan Jimmy Grizzle in White County.
Grizzle’s body was discovered at a residence on Gordon Road in Cleveland in November 2021 and after a six-month long investigation, GBI-ARDEO and the White County Sheriff’s Office charged the following:
Cory Garland Seabolt, age 42, of Cleveland, GA for: Felony murder, distribution of fentanyl, concealing the death of another person, hindering an emergency telephone call, and false statements; concealing facts.
Christopher Brandon McJunkin, age 31, of Cleveland, GA was also arrested for false statements; concealing facts.
This is an ongoing investigation.
For additional information about Appalachian RDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity, look for ARDEO@appalachiandtf on Twitter or follow on facebook@appalachianrdeo and/or Instagram.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Banks County, Jackson County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Franklin County, Gilmer County, Fannin County, the Cleveland Police Department and the Toccoa Police Department, along with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Georgia State Patrol, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Two White County men charged with sexual exploitation of children
Press Release February 21, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
SAUTEE NACOOCHEE, Ga. — On Thursday, Feb. 17, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit, with the assistance of the White County Sheriff’s Office, the GBI Cleveland field office, the GBI Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) unit, the GBI Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center, and the GBI’s Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, executed two residential search warrants related to separate investigations pertaining to the Sexual Exploitation of Children.
The investigations began after the GBI CEACC Unit received independent and unrelated cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Those cybertips involved the possession and/or distribution of explicit child sexual abuse material, commonly referred to as child pornography, which resolved to White County, GA.
As a result of the search warrant executions, the following individuals were arrested:
Richard Benton, age 57, of Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia was charged with four counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children (Possession of Child Pornography).
Lazarus Smith, Jr., age 18, of Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia was charged with three counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children (Possession of Child Pornography).
Benton and Smith, Jr. were transported to the White County Jail. Booking photos can be obtained from the White County Jail.
This investigation is part of the ongoing effort by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, housed within the GBI’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit, to identify those involved in the child pornography trade. The ICAC Program, created by the U.S. Department of Justice, was developed in response to the increasing number of children and teenagers using the Internet, the proliferation of child pornography, and the heightened online activity by predators searching for unsupervised contact with underage victims.
Anyone with information about these cases, or other cases of child exploitation, is asked to contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit at 404-270-8870. Tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
5 arrested in White County on drug charges
News October 5, 2021
WHITE COUNTY, Ga – Agents with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO), Department of Community Supervision and White County Sheriff’s Office arrested five people in the Kellum Valley community last week on various drug charges and an outstanding warrant.
The agents also confiscated $15,000 in stolen property.
Those arrested include:
- Nicholas Chaney Toler, 30, of Gainesville, possession of methamphetamine and heroin;
- John David Howard, 42, of Gainesville, outstanding warrant in Hall County;
- Michael Kelly Small, 55, of Cleveland, possession of methamphetamine and Controlled Substance Schedule II (Adderall);
- Stephanie Dawn Watson, 40, of Cleveland, possession of methamphetamine;
- Desiray Lane Rider, 33, of Cleveland, possession of methamphetamine.
The arrests were the result of tips and complaints received from White County citizens.
Anyone who would like to submit a tip can call ARDEO at 706-348-7410 or the White County Sheriff’s Office at706-865-5177.
Multiple law enforcement agencies seize drugs, weapons
News, Press Release February 25, 2021
HALL COUNTY, Ga. – Law enforcement agencies from Lumpkin, White and Hall counties joined forces with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) to remove three pounds of methamphetamine and nine firearms off the street Tuesday (Feb. 23.).
After a four-month investigation, ARDEO agents served a search warrant at 7058 Britt Gailey Road in Clermont and arrested the following people:
- Stacey Callaway Oliver, 41, of Clermont, charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony;
- Rosa Estrada, 34, of Gainesville, charged with trafficking methamphetamine;
- Wesley Oliver, 55, of Clermont, charged with possession of methamphetamine;
The methamphetamine seized possessed a street value of $21,000 dollars. During the investigation it was determined that this drug organization was supplying illegal drugs to a large area in Northeast Georgia
This investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are expected.
For additional information about ARDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity look for ARDEO@appalachiandtf on twitter or follow on facebook@appalachianrdeo and/or Instagram.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Jackson County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Franklin County, Gilmer County, Fannin County, the Cleveland Police Department, and Toccoa Police Department, along with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of PublicSafety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Cleveland woman charged with drug trafficking
Business February 25, 2021
WHITE COUNTY, Ga — A 60-year-old Cleveland woman was arrested following a two-month drug investigation on February 17.
Mary Pamela Clay, 60, of Cleveland, GA was charged with trafficking of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana with Intent to distribute. Also assisting with the investigation were the White County Sheriff’s Office, Cleveland Police Department and Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office.
Approximately 2.5 ounces of Methamphetamine and 1.5 ounces of Marijuana, along with $3,183 in cash were seized as a part of the investigation. The illegal drugs seized during the investigation possessed a street value of $2,000 dollars.
This investigation is still active and ongoing.
For additional information about Appalachian RDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity look for ARDEO@appalachiandtf on twitter or follow on facebook@appalachianrdeo and/or Instagram.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Jackson County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Franklin County, Gilmer County, Fannin County, the Cleveland Police Department and the Toccoa Police Department, along with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
(Photo courtesy of ARDEO)
Multi-agency drug bust in North Georgia
News, Press Release December 11, 2020
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — On Wednesday, December 9, 2020, several arrests were made across numerous counties in North Georgia as the culmination of a year-long investigation conducted by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Police Department, White County Sheriff’s Office, Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Community Supervision, the United States Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Major Offender’s Task Force, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office.
Throughout the investigation, law enforcement seized 433 grams of methamphetamine, 4 pounds of marijuana, 89 grams of crack cocaine, 53 grams of powder cocaine, 90 grams of heroin, 3 firearms, more than $19,000 U.S. Currency, and other assets valued at over $20,000. Two stolen ATV’s were also recovered as a part of the investigation.
The primary suspect of the investigation, Bernard Jermaine House, 43, of Buford, was arrested on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin, and five counts of Distribution of Heroin, with further charges pending. Four search warrants were conducted on Wednesday at addresses associated with House’s drug trafficking organization. Other individuals arrested are as follows:
Christian Wright, 30, of Gainesville, was charged with two counts of Trafficking Heroin, Distribution of Heroin, Trafficking Cocaine, Trafficking Methamphetamine, and Possession of Marijuana.
Bobby Joe Holloman, 47, of Gainesville, was charged with two counts of Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of Heroin, and Possession of Cocaine.
Jason Brannon, 44, of Homer, was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute.
Tiffany Kinney, 38, of Homer, was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute.
Brendan Hand, 31, of Cleveland, was charged with Possession of Heroin.
DesiRay Rider, 32, of Cleveland, was charged with Possession of Heroin.
Ptia Moss, 27, of Cleveland, was charged with Possession of Heroin, Crossing of Guard Lines with Drugs, and Possession of Drug Related Objects.
Jacob Loden, 21, of Cleveland, was charged with Possession of Heroin and Possession of Drug Related Objects.
Additionally, several other individuals wanted for unrelated crimes were also arrested during this investigation.
For additional information about Appalachian RDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity look for ARDEO@appalachiandtf on twitter or follow on facebook@appalachianrdeo and/or Instagram.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Jackson County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Franklin County, Gilmer County, Fannin County, the Cleveland Police Department, and the Toccoa Police Department, along with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Trio charged with distribution of methamphetamine
News November 15, 2019
LUMPKIN COUNTY
SHERIFF’S OFFICE
PRESS RELEASE
Brooke Lynn Rogers
Cameron McCallum
James Derrick
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – On Tuesday (Nov. 12), the Lumpkin County Sheriff Office and Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office executed a search warrant at 246 Abercrombie Road. This search warrant service occurred after an extensive investigation into the criminal activities of Cameron Blake McCallum, 24, and his distribution of methamphetamine inside Lumpkin County. During this search warrant the following items were discovered: Six ounces of Methamphetamine, a quantity of suspected heroin, a firearm, a quantity of marijuana, and numerous drug-related objects. As a result of this investigation, McCallum, Brooke Lynn Rogers, 25, and James Andrew Derrick,29, were arrested and charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of firearm during certain crimes, and possession of marijuana less than one ounce.
Commissioners approve four road improvement projects
News August 29, 2019
Trent Hillsman
CLEVELAND, Ga. – The White County Board of Commissioners approved four road improvement projects at Monday’s Board of Commissioners meeting totaling $118,920 and the purchase of a bucket truck for the Public Works Department for $55,900.
Commissioners worked through a very lengthy agenda in fairly short order. The vote on the road projects was 4-0. Commissioner Craig Bryant recused himself due to a conflict of interest.
The Board welcomed Trent Hillsman as the new Special Agent in Charge of the GBI and approved a request to apply for the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) for the 2019 Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Edward Byrne Memorial Grant .
ARDEO is self-sufficient, operating primarily on money seized during drug arrests.
Hillsman said, “This year we are expanding our regional office a little bit. We’re going to take two more counties on. We took a vote with the control board last week and we’re going to include Gilmer County and Fannin County. We’re told that we could get around $500,000 on the grant.Parks and Recreation Director Joe Gailey asked for and received unanimous approval to contract with three companies for improvements to the gymnasium. Southeastern Surfaces and Equipment received the contract to replace the gym floor for $75,110. Faciliserve will provide the low-rise bleachers at a cost of $11,012 and BSN will handle the demolition and removal of old bleachers and water proofing of the doors for a total of $7,365.
Commissioners also approved seven conditional use permits for the purposes of entering those properties in the county’s short-term rental program. Those properties include:
Two acres located at 57 Miway Lane in Sautee Nacoochee;
7.92 acres located at 114 Miway Lane in Sautee Nacoochee;
3.38 acres located at Chimney Mountain Road in Sautee Nacoochee;
10.92 acres located at 618 Joe Black Road in Sautee Nacoochee
1.1 acres located at 28 Persimmon Road in Satee Nacoochee;
One acre located at 2241 Lothridge Road in Cleveland;
1.9 acres located at 69 Greystone Drive in Cleveland.
Debra Palmer was appointed to the Alcohol Beverage Commission by a unanimous vote.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Cleveland man arrested for possession, intent to distribute meth
News October 12, 2018
CLEVELAND, Ga. – Citizens’ complaints led to the arrest of a White County man on drug charges Wednesday,
The Cleveland Police Department, White County Sheriff’s Office and agents with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) arrested Lamar Swindoll at his residence on Skitts Mountain Road.
A search of his residence uncovered 19 grams of methamphetamine. Street value of the narcotics is estimated to be $2,000. Swindoll was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. He was transported to the White County Detention Center.
For additional information about ARDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity look for ARDEO@appalachiandtf on twitter or follow on facebook@appalachianrdeo and/or Instagram.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Jackson County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Franklin County the Cleveland Police Department, the Lavonia Police Department, and the Toccoa Police Department, along with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Sheriff’s Office, ARDEO conduct sweeping search for drugs in White County residences
News January 23, 2018
Sheriff Neal Walden
CLEVELAND, Ga. – On Monday, Jan. 22, the White County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Community Supervision and Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) conducted a search of 15 residences in White County that resulted in nine arrests and the seizure of drugs, guns and stolen property.
The goal of the operation was to remove all illegal narcotics and deter drug dealers from selling illegal narcotics in White County.
Joshua Cunningham, Glen Goerke, Victoria Thompson, William Nicely, and Thomas Keith Trammell were arrested at 859 West Kytle Street and charged with multiple drug possession charges. Thompson faces the additional charge of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Christopher Shane Goodsir was arrested at 170 Sycamore Dr. in Cleveland where law enforcement found one gram of methamphetamine, three codeine pills valued at $125 and recovered a stolen trailer from Hall County valued at $999. Goodsir was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of schedule III drugs, and theft by receiving.
Johnny Ray Bridgers was arrested at 726 Partin Road in Cleveland where authorities found one gram of methamphetamine valued at $110. Bridgers was arrested for possession of methamphetamine.
Jeffrey Anthony Chastain and Amanda Christine Anderson were arrested at 1149 Black Road in Cleveland where deputies found one gram of methamphetamine, three amphetamine pills and two grams of marijuana valued at $200. Chastain and Anderson were charged with possession methamphetamine, possession of a schedule II drug and possession of marijuana (misdemeanor).
ARDEO encourages citizens to report any suspicious drug activity via IM or at 706-348-7410 or contact your local Sheriff’s Office or Police Department.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County and Franklin County, along with the Cleveland Police Department, Lavonia Police Department, the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Alert White County deputy makes drug bust
News February 20, 2019
CLEVELAND, Ga. — An alert White County Sheriff’s Office deputy noticed a car turn onto Daybreak Road and turn off its lights during the pre-dawn hours today. That action heightened the deputies suspicion, especially because it was dark and raining the time and visibility was poor.
The deputy decided to investigate and he approached two people standing outside the car in the rain. He witnessed one of these people throw a small quantity of methamphetamine in the floorboard of the car and requested assistance from the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO).
Authorities searched the car and found approximately six ounces of methamphetamine, two ounces of marijuana, various prescription pills and $4,677. The street value of the illegal narcotics is approximately $20,000.
Melissa Jane Grizzle, 41, of Alto, David Bryan Ferguson, 38, of Flowery Branch and Cassandra Lynelle Medlock, 28, of Sautee Nachoochee were arrested and charged with trafficking methamphetamine and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
They were transported to the White County Detention Center. This investigation continues and additional charges are pending.
ARDEO encourages citizens to report any suspicious drug activity via IM or at 706-348-7410 or contact your local Sheriff’s Office or Police Department.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Jackson County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County and Franklin County, along with the Cleveland Police Department, Lavonia Police Department, the Toccoa Police Department, the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
White County BOC work session set for Monday
News October 25, 2018
CLEVELAND, Ga. – The White County Board of Commissioners will hold a combined work session and called meeting Monday at 4:30 p.m. in the County Administration Building, 1235 Helen Highway.
During the work session, commissioners will hold two public hearings. The first is to consider the application for a land use permit submitted by Todd Campbell to redistrict 3.2 acres located at 1617 Hwy. 115 East from Community Commercial District (C1) to Highway Business District (C2).
The second public hearing is to consider the application for a land use permit filed by Tina M. Della for 1.66 acres located at 373 Yonah Mountain Road. The proposed use is to place the property in a “Rent by Owner” program. The present use is Residential Single Family District (R1).
Commissioners will also consider awarding contracts to for senior services, animal control/veterinary services and scoreboards for ball fields at Mount Yonah Preserve.
The Board will also:
- Hear the presentation of a proclamation in recognition of Retired Educators Day;
- Hear an update of the Chestate/Chattahoochee RC&D Council activities;
- Consider contributing to the “Cabin Fever Campaign” to relocate a historic Appalachian log cabin to the visitor’s center at Smithgall Woods State Park;
- Hear a n update of the SPLOST program;
- Discuss options for a scholarship program at White County Parks and Recreation Department;
- Discuss approval for the 2018 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program application for the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO);
- Discuss revisions to the fire recover fee schedule in accordance with revised Federal Emergency Management Agency standards;
- Discuss submitting Westmoreland Road repairs for the 2019 local maintenance and improvement program (LMIG) for deep patching, leveling and resurfacing from Hwy. 129 to Hwy. 154;
- Discuss awarding two certificates of deposit currently held by United Community Bank;
- Discuss changes to the Alliant/Health Partners Network effecting county employees access to Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic providers;
- Discuss an appointment to the White County Board of Health to fulfill the remainder of a six-year term previously held by Emmett Shotts.
Immediately following the work session, commissioners will hold a called meeting to consider entering into an executive session in order to discuss personnel.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Alert White County deputy leads to big meth seizure
News May 19, 2018
CLEVELAND, Ga. – While completing a routine security check Friday, an alert White County deputy noticed a storage unit door was open and feared it had been burglarized. What he discovered, however, was not a burglary, but a cache of illegal narcotics, including about eight pounds of crystal meth and a stolen handgun.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) was called to assist with the investigation. Authorities then executed search warrants on the storage unit along with a neighboring storage unit and discovered $12,000.00, which led to the execution of a warrant at 55 Driskell Road in Cleveland where they found additional evidence. The street value of the illegal narcotics seized is $395,000.
Jason Scott Hawkins, 43, was arrested at the residence and charged with trafficking methamphetamine. Hawkins was transported to the White County Detention Center. This investigation continues and additional arrests are expected.
For additional information about ARDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity, look for ARDEO@appalachiandtf on twitter or follow on facebook@appalachianrdeo and/or Instagram. The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Jackson County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Franklin County, the Cleveland Police Department, the Lavonia Police Department, the Toccoa Police Department, along with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Two arrested for drug possession in Helen
News April 22, 2018
HELEN, Ga. — Agents with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) and Helen Police Department executed search warrants Thursday and arrested 47-year-old Michael Shane Hayes and 37-year-old Christopher Walden.
Hayes was arrested for possession of a schedule IV controlled substance (Tramadol) and methamphetamine. Walden was arrested for possession of a schedule IV controlled substance (Tramadol) with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine.
The total street value of contraband seized is approximately $2,000. Tramadol is an opioid pain medication used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. The investigation continues and further arrests are expected.
ARDEO encourages citizens to report any suspicious drug activity via instant messenger or at 706-348-7410 or contact your local sheriff’s office or police department.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Jackson County, and Franklin County, along with the Cleveland Police Department, Lavonia Police Department, the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach.If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Citizen tip leads to drug bust in White County
News March 2, 2018
CLEVELAND, Ga. – A citizen’s complaint is responsible for taking more methamphetamine off the streets of White County this week.
Following a two-month investigation, the White County Sheriff’s Office, Cleveland Police Department, and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) served a search warrant at David Bell’s residence, 96 Greenview Court, that resulted in the seizure of 16 grams of methamphetamine, a .22 caliber handgun and a sawed-off shotgun.
The street value of the illegal narcotics is $1,600. Christian Poulos, 22, was at Bell’s house and was arrested for probation violation warrants. Bell, 36, was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm with altered serial numbers. Bell and Poulos were transported to the White County Detention Center.
For additional information about ARDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity look for ARDEO @appalachiandtf on Twitter or follow on Facebook @appalachianrdeo and/or Instagram.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Jackson County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Franklin County, the Cleveland Police Department, the Lavonia Police Department, and the Toccoa Police Department, along with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com