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.
North Georgia law enforcement agencies join forces in major drug investigation
Press Release July 28, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. — On July 26 and July 27, 2021, several arrests were made across North Georgia as the culmination of an 18-month investigation conducted by the White County Sheriff’s Office, Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office.
The investigation began in early 2020 in White County and eventually led agents to seize approximately four pounds of methamphetamine, nine firearms, and $8,000 in drug proceeds. The approximate street value of the methamphetamine is $28,000.00.
The following individuals have been charged with violating the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act:
Mary Pamela Clay, 61, of Cleveland
Ralph Lonnie Cochran, 57, of Cleveland
Travis Blake Cooper, 38, of Dahlonega
Dennis Jason Dick, 49, of Gainesville
Bradley Patrick Harkins, 33, of Dahlonega
Kathryn Cochran Lambert, 59, of Cleveland
Stacey Callaway Oliver, 41, of Clermont
The investigation is still active and ongoing.
ARDEO encourages citizens to report any suspicious drug activity via Facebook IM (@AppalachianRDEO) 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, Gilmer County, Fannin County, along with the Cleveland Police Department, the Toccoa Police Department, the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, Georgia State Patrol, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
White County man arrested for sexual exploitation of children
News, Press Release September 2, 2020PRESS RELEASE
Billy Rider
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. — On Tuesday, Sept. 1, White County resident Billy Rider, 44, was charged with six counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children (Possession of Child Pornography) by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit (CEACC).
An investigation into Rider’s internet activity by the GBI’s CEACC Unit began after a report was received from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) related to the online sharing of child pornography by Rider via the internet. This investigation led to a search warrant of Rider’s residence in White County and subsequently Rider’s arrest. The GBI was assisted in the search warrant of Rider’s home by the GBI’s Cleveland Field Office, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, and Cleveland Police Department. Rider was booked in to 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 other cases of child exploitation is asked to contact the Georgia ureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit at 404-270-8870.
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
GBI announces promotion of Dustin Hamby
News, Press Release August 9, 2020
Dustin Hamby
DECATUR, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announces the promotion of Dustin Hamby to Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) in Cleveland, GA. ASAC Hamby will be responsible for the supervision of the Special Agents and Task Force Agents assigned to this work unit. ARDEO conducts high level drug investigations in the North Georgia area.
ASAC Hamby has been employed with the GBI for over 18 years. He began his GBI career as a Narcotics eAgent at the Oconee Drug Task Force (ODTF) and the Macon Regional Drug Office. In 2005, he was assigned as a Special Agent to the Region 1 Office in Calhoun. He transferred to the Region 8 Office in Cleveland in 2006, where he was appointed as a Child Abuse Specialist, and served there until his promotion to ASAC. ASAC.
He has also served as a Certified Law Enforcement Instructor for several years and has been one of the GBI agents responsible for teaching death investigations and interviews and interrogations to new GBI agents during that time.
He began his law enforcement career in 2000 with the ODTF in Cochran, GA as a Task Force Agent. ASAC Hamby served at the ODTF until 2002, when he accepted a position as a Narcotics Agent with the GBI. During his time with the ODTF, he worked drug investigations in the Oconee Judicial Circuit.
He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Georgia in August of 2000.
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
Female inmate found dead in White County Detention Center
News August 7, 2020
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. — White County Sheriff Neal Walden confirmed today (Aug. 7) that Mercedes Brackett, 28 of Gainesville, was found deceased in the medical center in the White County Detention Center at approximately 8:30 a.m.
The cause of death is unknown at this time. The Sheriff’s Office has requested the GBI conduct an investigation. Sheriff Walden said Ms. Brackett was arrested on a probation violation.
Fetch Your News will have more information as it becomes available.
GBI, White County deputies investigate murder
News July 1, 2020
CLEVELAND, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and White County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the shooting death of 41-year-old Mitchell Smallwood.
Deputies received a 911 call to 32 Happy Hollow Road in Cleveland on June 30 where they found the victim deceased. Rita Sanders-Luse, 66, has been charged with murder. No other details were immediately available.
Mother charged with murder of her daughter
News March 2, 2020
Quinn Riley Wood
CLEVELAND, Ga. — The White County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia Bureau of Investigation have charged a 21-year-old White County mother with the murder of her 19-month old daughter, Shyloh Wood,
Quinn Riley Wood, 21, is also charged aggravated battery and cruelty to children in the death of her daughter.
Deputies and White County Emergency Medical Services were called to a home on Hunter Road in Cleveland where the child was in distress. The child was transported to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, where she died, according to the sheriff’s office.
An autopsy was performed at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation State Crime Lab on Friday.
No further details have been released.
GBI Cleveland makes arrest in Baldwin home invasion
News October 29, 2019
Baldwin, Ga. — On Sunday, Oct. 13, at approximately 9:30 a.m., the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Cleveland Office was requested by the Baldwin Police Department to investigate a home invasion on Spring Street which occurred earlier that morning. Two individuals were identified as victims in the case, and one victim sustained an injury during the incident.
As the investigation progressed, suspects in South Carolina were identified as being responsible for the home invasion. Agents traveled to Union, South Carolina, and with the help of the Union County Sheriff’s Office, evidence was obtained which further confirmed the suspects’ involvement.
James Childers II, 38, of Union, South Carolina, was arrested at his home on unrelated drug charges by the Union County South Carolina Sheriff’s Office. Childers is currently awaiting extradition to Georgia on the charges related to the home invasion.
Warrants have been issued for Kevin Knox, 44, of Union, South Carolina for his involvement with the home invasion. The warrants for Knox are one count of armed robbery, two counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of elder abuse. Knox is currently not in custody and efforts to locate him are ongoing.
Upon completion of the investigation, the case will be provided to the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney for prosecution.
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
GBI investigating drowning death of an Alabama man found in the river in Helen
News July 3, 2018
Helen Police Chief Brian Stephens
HELEN, Ga. – The body of an Alabama man was found submerged in the Chattahoochee River in Helen Friday. Helen Police Chief Brian Stephens has requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s help with the death investigation.
The body was found in the area of Brucken Strasse. A GBI press release identified the man as 42-year-old Gary Phillip Freeman of Troy, Alabama.
The body was spotted in the water by a tourist who called White County 911 Friday morning and emergency services workers pulled the deceased from the water.
An autopsy was performed by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office in Decatur. 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. 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
Bodies found at Yonah Mountain Campground identified
News August 6, 2019
CLEVELAND, Ga. – White County authorities have identified the two people found dead at Yonah Mountain Campground last week.
Capt. Rick Kelley of the White County Sheriff’s Office said the two are 82-year-old Norman George and Linda Katherine George, 79.
Kelley said foul play is not suspected, pending the Georgia Bureau of Investigation toxicology report. The bodies were transported to the GBI State Crime Lab in Decatur for autopsies.
As of Tuesday morning, the result of the autopsies were incomplete.
White County deputies were conducting a welfare check when the bodies were discovered inside a camper on Fleetwood.
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
GBI investigates officer involved shooting in Hall County
News July 8, 2019
GBI PRESS RELEASE
HALL COUNTY, Ga. — On Monday, July 8, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) to investigate an officer involved shooting that resulted in the death of Hall County Sheriff’s Deputy Nicolas Dixon, age 28.
Preliminary information indicates that on Sunday, July 7, 2019, at approximately 11:09 pm, Deputy Dixon attempted to stop a stolen vehicle occupied by four males. A chase ensued and ended with the subjects fleeing on foot.
Deputy Dixon and another deputy made contact with the subject, Hector Garcia Solis, age 19, in the yard of 43 Highland Avenue Gainesville and gunfire was exchanged. Deputy Dixon was shot one time and subsequently died from the wound.
Garcia was struck multiple times and is in critical condition at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Another subject was detained, and two other subjects remain at large. Attempts are ongoing to identify and locate them by HCSO, Gainesville Police Department, and the GBI.
The GBI will continue its independent investigation. When the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Hall County District Attorney’s Office for review.
Four Indicted for Heroin Distribution in North Ga.
News August 25, 2017
GAINESVILLE, Ga. – Michelle Dawn Dorsey, Nigel Alan Waddell, and Tyler Josiah Matthews have been arraigned on federal charges of trafficking in heroin. A fourth defendant, Derrik Omar Frazier, was arraigned on July 20.
Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office Special Agent in Charge Mitchell Posey said, “This indictment absolutely saved lives. We will never know exactly how many lives were saved but we know families whose lives would have otherwise been shattered will enjoy time together today because of this team’s hard work. That makes you bounce out of bed each morning so we can get to work!”
According to U.S. Attorney John Horn, the charges, and other information presented in court: Dorsey, Waddell, Matthews and Frazier allegedly conspired to distribute heroin in North Georgia. Dorsey and Waddell sold quantities of heroin in White and Habersham counties. They obtained the heroin primarily from Frazier. Matthews worked for Dorsey and were responsible for transporting heroin from Frazier’s residence in Stone Mountain to Dorsey’s residence in Demorest.
Two heroin users allegedly overdosed on heroin they obtained from Dorsey, but they were revived after being administered Naloxone by emergency medical personnel in White County in one instance and Habersham County in the other. Naloxone is used to treat narcotic overdoses as it can reverse the effects of an overdose in most cases. Both overdose victims likely would have died, but for the life saving measures taken by medical professionals.
“The indictment brought against these defendants is the result of a two-year, joint federal-state investigation by law enforcement to take down a significant heroin distribution network operating between communities in North Georgia and the Atlanta area,” Horn said. “Heroin and fentanyl are poisoning our communities, and the overdoses and deaths are climbing in truly alarming numbers. Our office, along with state and local law enforcement agencies, are taking a strong stance against those who deal heroin and opiates.”
The overdose victims in this case were transported to medical facilities by friends who were also in possession of heroin. However, those individuals have not been charged with any offense. Georgia’s 911 Medical Amnesty Law protects individuals from arrest, prosecution, and conviction of certain drug offenses if the evidence of their drug crime results from the individuals seeking medical assistance for someone thought to be suffering from a drug overdose.
On July 20, in conjunction with Frazier’s arrest at his residence in Stone Mountain, agents with the ARDEO and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office executed a search warrant. The agents seized one ounce of heroin, one ounce of methamphetamine, one ounce of cocaine, and a cache of firearms.
Each defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove each defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
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
GBI Crime Lab Identifies Central Georgia Counterfeit Pills
News June 14, 2017
Decatur, GA – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Lab has identified counterfeit pills related to the reported overdoses in the Central Georgia area.
Analysis has confirmed that the pills contain a mixture of two synthetic opioids, cyclopropyl fentanyl and U-47700. Cyclopropyl fentanyl is a fentanyl analogue that is chemically similar to fentanyl. It is unknown how the human body will react to this drug since it is not intended for human or veterinary use. Cyclopropyl fentanyl had not previously been seen in Georgia.
U-47700 is a synthetic opioid 7.5 times stronger than morphine.
Both of these drugs are HIGHLY DANGEROUS and should not be handled. They can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin and are extremely toxic in even the smallest quantities.
Legislation was introduced this year to outlaw both cyclopropyl fentanyl and U-47700 in Georgia. The law banning the substances went into effect after passage by the Georgia General Assembly and the Governor’s signature on April 17, 2017.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Department of Public Health, Georgia Poison Center, hospitals, local, state, and federal partners are working jointly on this investigation.
Mayo indicted for murder of his girlfriend
News December 24, 2017
Scott Mayo charged with murder.
CLEVELAND, Ga. – Justin Scott Mayo, of Cleveland, was indicted last week in connection with the death of his girlfriend, Stephanie Ann Smith, Nov. 4.
The White County Grand Jury indicted the 35-year-old Mayo for malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and aggravated battery.
As FetchYourNews reported last month, Mayo appeared at the White County Sheriff’s Office to report that he found Smith unresponsive. According to Lt. Rick Kelley, deputies and White County EMS responded to the scene at 794 Stanley Nix Road and found the victim deceased.
Kelley added the victim had significant injuries and trauma to her body. White County Sheriff’s Office Investigators along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents processed the scene, collected evidence, and conducted numerous interviews.
During the investigation they discovered Mayo and the victim had been involved in a verbal altercation in Helen late the previous night. The victim’s body was sent to the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur for an autopsy and Mayo was arrested.
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