SCSO Makes Arrest Following Investigation, Search Warrant

A Stephens County man remains in custody facing multiple charges after authorities served a search warrant at his residence last week.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said his office arrested 39-year-old Brent Wilbanks of Hayes-Wilbanks Road in Stephens County last Thursday.

Shirley said the arrest came after deputies served a search warrant and an arrest warrant at Wilbanks’ residence in connection to an aggravated assault case they had been investigating since January 24.

“They did a perimeter entry,” said Shirley. “Brent Wilbanks was in his truck and when commanded to get out of the truck, Mr. Wilbanks would not get out. As a result, they were able to convince him to (get out) and when they had him on the ground, searching him, he had a semi-automatic weapon ready to fire.”

Shirley said they also found methamphetamine on Wilbanks when searching him.

The sheriff went on to say that deputies then searched inside Wilbanks’ residence and found items related to reported burglaries that had taken place in Stephens County.

“They were able to solve two burglaries on Prather Bridge Road,” said Shirley, who added the items were identified by the victims of the burglaries and returned to their rightful owners.

Shirley said that his deputies also seized a pick-up truck, semi-automatic pistol, and .22 caliber rifle during the arrest of Wilbanks.

According to the sheriff, Wilbanks is charged with Aggravated Assault-Family Violence, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, two counts of Possession of a Firearm While In Commission of a Felony, two counts of Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer, and two counts of Burglary.

Shirley said Wilbanks remains in the Stephens County Jail without bond at last report.