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.
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.
White, Lumpkin authorities search for missing woman
News April 17, 2019DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Lt. Alan Roach in the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office issued the following press release:
On April 15 at approximately 6 a.m. The White County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for service involving a missing person near the White/Lumpkin County line on Sandy Flats Road and Dugas Road. Once on scene, The White County Sheriff’s Office requested The Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office to assist with the call. The missing person is 34-year-old, Belinda Butterfield from Canton Georgia. Belinda was last seen wearing white shorts and a pink tank top swimming in the waters of the Tesnatee creek in White County. This creek runs into the Chestatee River.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources also assisted with this call and will be conducting future searches from the air along the waterways and shoreline associated with this incident. These flights will continue until the Georgia DNR feels that they are no longer needed. Please if anyone has any information regarding this incident please contact Inv. Chad Edwards with the White County Sheriff’s Office at 706-865-5177 ext. 251 or by email at [email protected] . Or you can contact The Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office investigator that is assisting with the case, Inv. Aaron Norrell at 706-482-2631, or by email at [email protected]
Fleeing motorist leads deputies on chase through four counties
News October 1, 2019
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. –On Monday, Sept. 30 at approximately 10 p.m., a White County Deputy Sheriff attempted to stop a Buick Century for a traffic violation on SR 384. The driver failed to yield and initiated a pursuit.
White County pursued the vehicle into Habersham County, where a Habersham County Deputy Sheriff attempted a PIT maneuver on Mud Creek Road. The attempt was unsuccessful and the pursuit continued into Hall County on SR 365.
Hall County dispatch requested a Trooper to assist. The Georgia State Patrol responded to the area of the pursuit on SR 52. After catching up with the pursuing deputies and taking the lead, the Trooper conducted a successful PIT maneuver approximately two miles inside of Lumpkin County on SR 52.
The suspect vehicle was forced from the roadway and crashed into a small ditch and cornfield. The driver fled the scene on foot.
Habersham County Sheriff K-9 and Department of Corrections bloodhound attempted a track. GSP Aviation provided assistance with FLIR. The suspect was not located, but leads have been developed. White County Sheriff’s Office continues to attempt to identify the driver. The Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the manhunt also.
No injuries were reported and there was only minor damage to the vehicles involved.
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 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.
Search Continues for Suspect Who Robbed Woodlawn Gardens and Farms and Shot Worker
News February 28, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — The search continued Tuesday afternoon for a lone gunman who shot a worker at Woodlawn Gardens and Farms during an attempted robbery around 10:30 p.m. Monday.
White County Chief Deputy Bob Ingram said authorities from the White County Sheriff’s Office, Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol and Alto K-9 unit combed the area last night and throughout the day today but have not located the suspect.
Sheriff Neal Walden reported that a white male with a tattoo on the left side of his face walked up to the drive-in window at the restaurant and demanded money from Tim Motes, who was cleaning the restaurant at the time. When Motes said he didn’t have any money, he was shot in the stomach.
Motes was transported by White County EMS to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville where his injury is believed to be non life-threatening.
Fetch Your News will continue to follow this story and present more details as they become available.
White, Lumpkin County Authorities Search for Robbery Suspect Who Shot a Man Monday
News February 28, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — White County Sheriff’s Office, Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol and a K-9 unit from Alto are searching this morning for a suspect who robbed Woodlawn Gardens and Farms at 3778 Hwy. 254 in White County at about 10:30 p.m. Monday and shot an unidentified male.
White County Sheriff Neal Walden said the suspect is a white male with a tattoo on the left side of his face who was wearing a hoodie at the time of the robbery.
Walden said the victim was transported by White County EMS to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville with what appears to be non-life threatening injuries.
Fetch Your News will have more details as they become available.