Deputies arrest armed suspect at Unicoi Lodge
News December 3, 2019
Timothy Paul Griffin
HELEN, Ga. — On Nov. 30, White County deputies assisted the Helen Police Department in serving a warrant on a suspect who is charged with aggravated assault and who was believed to be armed and dangerous.
Deputies located 32-year-old Timothy Paul Griffin at Unicoi Lodge, served the warrant and arrested him without incident. After he was handcuffed, Griffin informed deputies that he was in possession of a loaded firearm that was located in his 2008 Kia Sedona.
Deputies removed the Glock Model 22 from the vehicle’s glove compartment removed 12 rounds of ammunition and placed it into an evidence bag. Griffin was then transported to the White County Detention Center.
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
Helen man charged with practicing medicine without license
News May 9, 2018
HELEN, Ga. — White County authorities along with the Helen Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at a doctor’s office on South Main Street Tuesday and charged Ronald Wheeler with practicing medicine without a license.
The newly opened business belonged to Wheeler and Dr. Ben Johnson.
Captain Rick Kelley of the White County Sheriff’s Office asks that any patient who has been seen or treated by Wheeler contact him at 706-865-5177.
The investigation is very active and ongoing. FetchYourNews will have more details as they become available.
Mt. Airy man arrested for obstruction of an officer
News May 28, 2019HELEN, Ga. – White County authorities arrested Jonathan Vangoosen, 27, of Mt. Airy on a willful obstruction of an officer warrant Sunday after he fled from White County and Helen Police officers earlier this month.
White County deputy Nathan Allen and Helen Police Officer Joey Drew stopped to question three individuals at an underground parking lot on Edelweiss Strasse. Van Goosen was behind the wheel of a green pickup truck, speaking to Angelia Moore and Edward Tyner who were outside the vehicle.
Dispatch informed the officers Vangoosen had a possible warrant out of Habersham County. Allen asked dispatch for confirmation and told Vangoosen to step out of the vehicle. According to the arrest report, Vangoosen began to struggle with the officer, managed to get his keys in the ignition and sped off nearly striking Drew, Moore and Tyner with the open driver’s door.
Drew went after Vangoosen, but was unable to locate him.
Moore, who was pregnant at the time of the incident, complained about stomach pains and EMS was called to transport her to Habersham Medical Center. She told officers Vangoosen was the baby’s father.
According to the arrest report, a search of Tuner’s car turned up an unidentified medication. He was arrested and transported to the White County Detention Center.
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 Shop-With-a-Cop event Dec. 13-14
News November 26, 2018
CLEVELAND, Ga. – Approximately 25-30 children and their families will receive a $200 gift certificate from Walmart, courtesy of the South Enotah Child Advocacy Center, White County Sheriff’s Office, Cleveland Police Department, and Helen Police Department during the annual Shop-With-a-Cop event Dec. 13 and 14.
The recipients will be paired with a law enforcement officer to shop with and enjoy lunch in an effort to promote strong community relations.
South Enotah Child Advocacy Center Executive Director Cheyenne Thornton said the event is geared toward children between the ages of 8 and 13 and the first $100 must be spent on clothing for the child. The next $100 can be spent on anything (apart from inappropriate videos/toys).
Following the shopping, the children and their families will enjoy a lunch catered by Walmart.
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
‘Most dangerous doctor’ arrested in Helen
News May 9, 2018
Ronald Wheeler
HELEN, Ga. — White County authorities along with the Helen Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at a doctor’s office on South Main Street Tuesday and charged Ronald Wheeler, 71, with practicing medicine without a license.
The newly opened business belonged to Wheeler and Dr. Ben Johnson. Wheeler, has been called “one of the most dangerous doctors” in Florida where he practiced for many years before having his license revoked by the state medical board.
No charges have been filed against Dr. Johnson and the office on Main Street is still open, but the investigation is ongoing.
Before his license was revoked, Wheeler was a urologist who specialized in the treatment of prostate cancer with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) at his office in Sarasota, Florida. He was arrested at that office last July, three months after his license was revoked, following an anonymous complaint. Undercover police officers posed as cancer patients were told an office visit cost $3,445 and HIFU-based treatments start at $50,000.
In March, Sarasota police charged Wheeler with a scheme to defraud between $20,000 and $50,000 after he diagnosed a man with prostate cancer who did not have cancer at all.
Wheeler also had an office in Sautee before opening the new office in Helen.
Captain Rick Kelley of the White County Sheriff’s Office asks that any patient who has been seen or treated by Wheeler contact him at 706-865-5177.
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
Myers Charged with Stalking, Aggravated Assault
News March 30, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — A Cleveland man wanted by police in Helen for alleged stalking, aggravated assault, escape and willful obstruction of a police officer was arrested by White County Sheriff’s deputies on March 21.
Brandon Alvin Myers, 28, is accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend Samantha Roberts, 27 of Helen, the mother of his infant son. Roberts filed a complaint with the Helen Police Department in November that indicated Myers called her phone and texted her constantly after they broke up. She also claimed that he followed her and tried to run her car off the road as she returned from grocery shopping.
Officer Phillip Wood confronted Myers in the parking lot of a public housing project on Petes Park in Helen last November. Wood reported that Myers became agitated while being questioned, pushed the officer away and then bolted into the woods behind the complex. Officers gave chase, but could not locate him.
Myers is currently housed in the White County Detention Center. His bond has been set at $42,000.
Helen Police Arrest Gainesville Woman, Seize $14,000 in Meth in Local Motel
News March 11, 2017
HELEN, Ga. –Tammy Kay Leonard, 47, of Gainesville was arrested at a motel room in Helen Wednesday and charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug related objects.
Acting on a tip, the Helen Police Department obtained a search warrant that resulted in the seizure of more than five ounces of methamphetamine with a street value of $14,000, scales used to weigh the drugs and needles and other drug paraphenalia.
Chief Brian Stephens said no other arrests were made in connection with the incident aht that Leonard has been denied bond.
Helen Police Plan Two Events to Protect Citizens
News April 20, 2017
HELEN, Ga. — The Helen Police Department will hold two events aimed at protecting its citizens.
During Tuesday’s City Commission meeting, Helen Police Chief Brian Stephens announced his department will hold a class aimed at preventing identity theft on Monday May 8 at 6 p.m. inside City Hall. The class will last about 90 minutes.
Stephens said a lot of information will be provided along with handouts followed by a question and answer session for those who attend.
Issues covered will include how to protect yourself, knowing what to do and what not to do. Stephens said it will also cover the latest scams being used to gain your identity. The class is free and open to all Helen and White County residents. To reserve a seat, call the Helen Police Department at 706-878-2722.
On June 26 and 27 at 10 a.m. in the Helen Library Stephens said his department will conduct an event aimed at helping to identify missing children.
Stephens said parents can bring their child to the library to be finger printed and submit a DNA sample, “In case, God forbid, something did happen to the child. It’s aimed at protecting the children.”
Stephens said the DNA sample can be provided by the parent taking a clipping of the child’s hair. The clipping would then be put together with the fingerprints and kept in a safe place.
Traffic Stop in Helen Nets Drugs, Weapons
News April 19, 2017
HELEN, Ga. — What appeared to be a routine traffic stop in the pre-dawn hours in Helen Monday resulted in the confiscation of drugs, weapons and the arrest of three individuals on related charges.
Helen Police Department Officer R. Blevins reported that when he witnessed a Ford F-150 pickup truck traveling south on Main Street weaving across the double yellow center line with a license plate obscured, he executed a traffic stop in the parking lot of America’s Best Value Inn.
According to the report, the driver, who first identified himself as Jose Antonio Diaz, couldn’t stand in one spot for more than a few seconds and seemed overly concerned about Officer Blevins looking inside the vehicle.
Blevins said he observed two individuals, one male and one female in the back seat of the truck and detected the odor of burnt marijuana. When Officer D. Westmoreland arrived to provide backup, the two passengers exited the vehicle. The male identified himself as Antonio Menguaro. The female said her name was Ally Klueber. The male passenger later admitted he had given a fictitious name and identified himself as Martin Herman Castro.
A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a crack pipe with a liquid residue, pocket knife, two small bags of a green leafy substance, two bags of a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine, $85 in cash, loose hypodermic needles, a small compressed canister of butane, and a butane torch lighter, a loose prescription pill identified as “Citalopram,” a spoon with a white powdery substance, a set of voice recorders, digital scales and a set of brass knuckles.
All three were placed under arrest and transported to the White County Detention Center. The truck was impounded and taken to the Helen Police Department for an additional search pending a search warrant.
Diaz is charged with failure to maintain lane, possession of drug related objects, and possession of drugs. Klueber faces charges for possession of drug related objects, prescription not in original container and possession of drugs with the intent to distribute.
Castro faces the most serious charges, including giving a false name to a law enforcement officer, possession of a knife, possession of a concealed weapon, brass knuckles, possession of drug related objects, possession with the intent to distribute, prescription not in the original container
Helen Police Arrest Man in Stabbing Incident
News January 16, 2017
HELEN, Ga. — Charles Casey Roper, 25, has been charged with aggravated assault and burglary after he allegedly entered a relative’s apartment on Brucken Strasse late Saturday evening.
According to Helen Police Chief Brian Stephens, an argument ensued and 47-year-old Scott Cecil Ramey was stabbed. Ramey was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville where he was treated for what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries.
Roper, who has a criminal record, fled the scene following the stabbing. Helen Police found him nd hiding in a nearby utility room and arrested him at about 10:45 p.m. He was taken to the White County Detention Center where no bond has been set.
The incident is still under investigation.