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
Report: Juvenile threatens to ‘shoot up’ school
News February 16, 2018
CLEVELAND, Ga. – A juvenile male is being detained at the Regional Detention Center after he reportedly made threats to shoot up the Ninth Grade Academy Thursday.
Cleveland Police Lt. Donna Sims said the juvenile was overheard threatening to shoot up the school when classes resume on Wednesday, Feb. 21.
Sims said officers with the Cleveland Police Department began interviewing subjects who say they heard the threats. Once they got corroborating information, the juvenile was detained at the Regional Youth Detention Center.
The investigation is ongoing, but there are no other suspects being sought. If any other students heard anything that was said, they are asked to call the Cleveland Police Department at 706-348-7078.
FetchYourNews will have more details when they become available.
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
Cleveland man charged with neglect of disabled wife
News April 11, 2018
CLEVELAND, Ga. — A report by a home health nurse last week led to the arrest of a Cleveland man who is charged with neglect of a disabled person along with eight counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and the operation of a moohshine still in his home.
Cleveland Police arrested Lee Carter Blake, 53, at his home Friday, April 6, and transported him to the White County Detention Center where he is being held on $13,000 bond.
A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said deputies went to the home occupied by Blake and his 65-year-old wife, Patricia Blake, who is confined to a wheelchair and found the home to be in “deplorable condition.”
In searching the home, they discovered that Blake, a convicted felon, was in possession of several firearms. He was convicted of theft by taking in 1993.
The search also uncovered an illegal still.
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
‘Active shooter’ training exercise at White County Middle School April 4
News March 27, 2018CLEVELAND, Ga . — White County Public Safety Director David Murphy wants the public to be aware that an “active shooter training” exercise will take place at White County Middle School on Wednesday, April 4, from 7 a.m. until noon.
This is a joint exercise by the school system, Cleveland Police Department, White County Sheriff’s Office, White County Public Safety, Cleveland Fire Department and the Georgia Emergency Management-Homeland Security Agency.
Murphy said the exercise will evaluate the plans for both the system and first responders in the event an actual situation should occur. This exercise will include volunteer students and faculty from White County Schools and Truett – McConnell University.
The public should be aware of the increased presence of personnel on this date and not be alarmed as this is only an exercise of emergency response plans.
School systems and public safety personnel all across Georgia have conducted these exercises for some time, but the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 students and faculty Feb. 14, has led to a heightened awareness of the importance of such exercises.
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
Cleveland man charged with aggravated assault
News November 28, 2018CLEVELAND, Ga. – Charles Gregory Tompkins, 46, of Cleveland turned himself in at the White County Sheriff’s Office on Nov. 14. Tompkins is charged with aggravated assault with a gun, cruelty to children in the first degree and reckless conduct.
According to the Cleveland Police Department report, on Oct. 5, Tompkins “Pulled a firearm on a juvenile while sitting in the parking lot of the (Cleveland) Walmart” and told the boy he was going to rob Walmart before laying the gun barrel on the boy’s leg.
The report does not indicate Tompkins made any attempt to rob the store but does indicate he might be “having a diabetic episode.”
After a month-long forensic investigation, Tompkins decided to turn himself in and was immediately charged. Bond was set at $20,000.
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
Law enforcement disrupts major marijuana distribution ring operating in three counties
News February 7, 2018
Steven Pruitt
CLEVELAND, Ga. – Agents with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) and multiple local law enforcement agencies including White County and the Cleveland Police Department disrupted a large marijuana distribution organization operating in White, Habersham and Gwinnett counties last week.
White County authorities learned about the organization through tips from the local community. On Feb. 2, search warrants were executed at Steven Pruitt’s residence at 110 Rolling Ridge Drive in Cleveland where eight pounds of marijuana, 200 grams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) wax and numerous firearms were confiscated.
ARDEO Agents and Norcross Police also executed a search warrant at Evan Johnstone and William Blake Moore’s townhome in Norcross where they found 14 pounds of marijuana, 200 grams of THC wax, 104 .500 mL THC Vape Cartridges, and $42,169 in cash.
Evan Johnstone
Johnstone and Ryan Crispin were arrested with cash and drugs in their possession during traffic stops in White County. An investigation indicated Crispin was coming to White County to purchase marijuana from Pruitt and that Johnstone and Moore supplied Pruitt with marijuana and the THC wax.
Overall, the operation yielded $56,253 in cash and took $546,000 of illegal narcotics off the streets.
Agents believe a large quantity of the marijuana was smuggled into Georgia from states that have legalized marijuana. It also appears Johnstone and Moore were producing their own THC wax, a highly potent THC-concentrated mass that contains extraordinarily high THC levels.
William Crispin
Pruitt, 33, Crispin, 20, and Johnstone, 25, were charged under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute and transported to the White County Detention Center. A RICO warrant has been issued for Moore, but he has not yet been arrested.
Anyone with information about Moore or who would like to report suspicious drug activity can do so via instant message or by calling 706-348-7410.
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
Cleveland Police arrest gang member
News January 16, 2018
Richard Nash
CLEVELAND, Ga. – The Cleveland Police Department arrested alleged gang member Richard Nash, 25, of Cornelia on a long list of felonies, including willful obstruction of a law enforcement officer by use of threats of violence Jan. 10
Nash is believed to be a member of Ghost Face Gangsters, a prison-based gang that has been in Georgia for more than 20 years. The gang is believed to be responsible for a prison break last June that left two correction officers dead.
Cleveland Police attempted to question the driver of a vehicle parked at the Walmart store when Nash, a passenger, jumped from the vehicle and ran. He was quickly apprehended and booked into the White County Detention Center.
Nash is also charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of or attempted commission of a felony and criminal use of an article with an altered ID tag.
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
Cleveland Police Arrest Two on Drug Charges
News July 5, 2017
Lisa Wertz arrested by Cleveland Police.
CLEVELAND, Ga. – Cleveland Police Chief John Foster announced in a press release that deputies arrested 44-year-old Lisa Wertz and 29-year-old Ruben Derrick Hoffman at a residence at 435 Pine Circle in Cleveland Monday on multiple drug charges.
Foster said the two are suspected of selling between two and three ounces of meth a week from that location.
Wertz is charged with distribution of meth, possession of meth, possession of drug related objects and cruelty to children in the first degree. She is being held at the White County Detention Center. Hoffman is charged with distribution of meth, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug related objects, and cruelty to children first degree.
Hoffman is being held at the Habersham County Detention Center on unrelated charges.
Foster said the investigation is ongoing.
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
7 Arrested in White County on Drug Charges
News June 8, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — During this past week, the White County Sheriff’s Office, the Cleveland Police Department, and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) aggressively targeted suspected narcotics dealers in White County.
Mitchell Posey, Special Agent in Charge of ARDEO said, this combined effort resulted in the arrest of seven individuals for drug related offenses through aggressive street level enforcement by the uniform divisions.’
Through White County Sheriff’s Office investigations, ARDEO Agents arrested 21-year old Courtney Nelson, 23-year old James Molton, 17-year old Harvey Leahey, 19-year old Quinton Blackwell and 41-year old Susan Sorrows, for possession of methamphetamine and marijuana. Cleveland Police Department arrested 27-year old Barbara Barr and 38-year old Johnnie Hickman also for possession of methamphetamine.
Posey said, the combined street value of the drugs seized have been estimated be over $600 worth of methamphetamine and $600 worth of marijuana.
Those arrested were transported to the White County Detention Center.
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 Franklin County the Cleveland Police Department, and the Lavonia 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 www.fetchyournews.com
Cleveland PD Charges Lula Woman With Forgery, Identity Fraud and Exploitation
News August 9, 2017
Cynthia Forrester is charged with forgery, identity theft and exploitation of elderly/disabled person.
CLEVELAND, Ga. — The Cleveland Police Department has arrested 52-year-old Cynthia Marie Forrester of Lula on multiple charges of forgery of financial transaction card, financial transaction card fraud, identity theft fraud and two counts of exploitation/infliction of pain to deprive essential services to a disabled or elderly person.
Lt. Donna Sims, who is in charge of the investigation, said Forrester, worked for a healthcare agency in Cleveland. Bond has been set at $82,000. Forrester bonded out on Aug. 2.
Authorities believe Forrester accepted gifts from a person in her care who has been diagnosed with dementia and that she took the patient to a bank where she used the patient’s debit card to withdraw cash.
The investigation is ongoing and a full incident report will be available later this week.
Fetch Your News will report additional details as they become available.
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
WCMS Student Appears in Juvenile Court Friday
News October 12, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. – A seventh-grade student at White County Middle School, who was arrested last week for making terrorist threats is scheduled to appear in White County Juvenile Court tomorrow (Friday, Oct. 13).
The student, who is not identified due to his age, allegedly told a classmate he planned to shoot up the school and that she would be the first one shot.
White County School Superintendent Dr. Jeff Wilson declined to answer questions regarding the incident but instead, issued the following prepared statement:
“On Wednesday afternoon last week, a threat was made by a White County Middle School student. The administration met with the students involved and addressed the issue. The student who made the threat was sent home while the incident was investigated further. After further investigation on Thursday morning, the school contacted law enforcement. WCMS students were safe throughout the process. The safety of our students is our number one priority and we work diligently to keep our teachers and students safe.”
According to a spokesman for the Cleveland Police Department, the boy was arrested then released to his parents but ordered to wear an ankle bracelet
The mother of the girl who reported the threat asked not to be identified for fear of retribution. She did say that she was upset with school officials because her daughter reported the threat to a teacher and a support coordinator Wednesday morning. But the mother said she wasn’t told of the incident until Wednesday evening when the coordinator called her.
“I asked to meet with the school Principal Kristi Gerrells Thursday morning,” the mother told Fetch Your News. “When I did, I was told that she wanted to wait until the School Resource Officer returned from vacation on Monday before contacting the police. I said that was unacceptable and I thought parents should be made aware of the threat immediately.”
The mother added, “I felt like the way she handled it was inappropriate. She made me feel like I was wasting my time. She also said she appreciated me not posting it on social media because we don’t need a bunch of stirred up parents. I felt like she just wanted to cover it up. But I think this is something parents need to know.”
This is the second time this year school officials reacted to a threat at the same school. A threat made on social media in March prompted a request for additional security. At the time, Wilson said the threat was investigated it and determined not to be credible.
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
Cleveland Woman Arrested After She Left Infant Unattended in Parked Car at Walmart
News June 30, 2017
Brelyn Dover Arrested After Leaving 1-Year Old Child in Hot Car in Walmart parking lot.
CLEVELAND, Ga. – Cleveland police arrested 24-year-old Brelyn Dover Thursday after she left a 1-year old child unattended in a hot car in the Walmart parking lot a day earlier.
A witness observed the child and called 9-1-1. When Cleveland police arrived, they got the child out of the car. He was checked by medical personnel and found to be okay.
The child was taken into protective custody and turned over to the Department of Family and Children’s Services.
Dover has been charged with cruelty to children and reckless conduct.
Cleveland Residents Arrested in Drug Bust
News February 18, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — Following a two months long investigation, the White County Sheriff’s Office, Cleveland Police Department and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) arrested Cleveland residents Margarita Delagado, 32, and Martin Kyler Ferguson, 21, Friday and charged them with distribution of methamphetamine.
Delgado was arrested by White County deputies early Friday morning as she was leaving a local bar. Deputies found 4 grams of methamphetamine packaged for distribution. The arrest followed a tip from citizens who complained that Delgado was selling methamphetamine from her places of business, a White County bar and restaurant.
ARDEO’s surveillance of Delgado confirmed the citizens’ suspicion. The street value of Delgado’s narcotics is $440.
White County authorities executed a search warrant at Ferguson’s residence, 60 Ash Street, in Cleveland where he was allegedly selling methamphetamine and marijuana. A small quantity of marijuana and methamphetamine was discovered during the search. The street value of Ferguson’s narcotics is $100.
Ferguson faces an additional charge of possession of marijuana.
ARDEO encourages citizens to report any suspicious drug activity 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, Lumpkin, Towns, Banks, Habersham, Stephens and Rabun counties.
Cleveland Traffic Stop Leads to Meth Bust
News August 28, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. – The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, Cleveland Police Department, White County Sheriff’s Office and Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office scored a significant drug bust last week.
It started with a traffic stop that led to the arrest of Bobby Joe Mullinax Jr., 39 of Cleveland and the seizure of one pound of methamphetamine and $1,700 in cash.
The following day, ARDEO agents, along with deputies with White County and Lumpkin County executed a search warrant at Keith and Bradley Talley’s residence, 794 Stanley Nix Road in Cleveland, during which they confiscated more than $51,000 in illicit drugs, including 460 grams of meth, 30 Methline pills and a quantity of hydrocodone pills. 
Mullinax is charged with trafficking in methamphetamine. Patrick Keith Talley is charged with trafficking in meth, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of meth with intent to distribute, and possession of Schedule II with intent to distribute.
Bradley Talley is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of meth with intent to distribute, possession of schedule II with intent to distribute.
Patrick Keith Talley was charged with trafficking in meth, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of meth with intent to distribute, and possession of Schedule II with intent to distribute.
The three men 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 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, Franklin County, the Cleveland Police Department, and the Lavonia Police Department, along with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle on Appalachian Hwy.
News December 30, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — The Cleveland Police Department reports that an unidentified female was struck by a vehicle shortly before noon Wednesday at the intersection of Appalachian Trail Drive and Highway 75.
The 56-year old white female was walking on the sidewalk from Ingle’s north and was attempting to cross Appalachian Trail Drive when a male driver pulled into the intersection and struck her. The woman suffered undisclosed injuries and was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville by White County EMS
Cleveland Police Officer Pete Dorsey said the driver, who was not identified, will face charges in connection with the accident.
Teen Airlifted to Hospital After Bicycle Accident
News August 9, 2016
CLEVELAND — A 15-year-old White County youth was airlifted to Atlanta Medical Center Monday night with what appears to be serious head injuries following a bicycle accident behind White County Middle School.
Cleveland Police Chief John Foster said the cause of the accident is unknown.
Foster did not identify the injured teen, but said two boys who were passing by heard cries for help and discovered the teen in a creek around 7:30 p.m and called 9-1-1.
The accident remains under investigation by Cleveland Police Department.