Sheriff Releases Details On Cedar Drive Incident

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley released more information recently on the arrest of three people in South Carolina that were wanted in Stephens County.

Shirley said the three fugitives were three of four people wanted in connection with an early February incident.

The sheriff said that incident occurred on February 4 at a residence on Cedar Drive.

“Upon deputies’ arrival, the complainant stated that her front door had been kicked in by ‘four individuals’,” said Shirley. “The complainant went on to say that the four individuals entered the home by brandishing a knife and forced the occupants, mostly juveniles, to the rear of the home. That is when the four suspects singled out and physically assaulted a 16-year-old male juvenile. The suspects fled the scene prior to deputies’ arrival. The juvenile was later transported by EMS to the Stephens County Hospital for treatment of his injuries.”

According to the sheriff, the juvenile was treated and released.

Shirley said investigators processed the scene and conducted interviews.

He said through that process, investigators identified four suspected intruders, 31-year-old Clara Leeann Palmer, 32-year-old Andrew Thomas Epps, 28-year-old Shane Nicholas Roberts, and 31-year-old James Douglas Roberts, all of Toccoa.

“Shane Roberts was arrested later that night on an unrelated warrant, and the other three fled the area,” said Shirley. “An immediate lookout for the three remaining suspects was posted through the Tri-State Law Enforcement Intelligence Network.”

Shirley said his office received an anonymous tip that provided authorities with a possible location for the other three suspects.

He said that information led authorities to Oconee County, South Carolina, where they met with the Sheriff’s Office there.

“The three fugitives were in a secluded area about a mile into the woods of US 76 at a remote camp spot on the Chattooga River in Oconee County, South Carolina,” said Shirley. “With the assistance of investigators with the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Forest Service, the three suspects were arrested without incident while sleeping in a tent.”

All four suspects were charged with Burglary, Cruelty to Children, Aggravated Assault, and seven counts of False Imprisonment. Palmer also faces a charge of Terroristic Threats.

Shirley said all four remain in custody in Stephens County after waiving extradition and being transported back to the Stephens County Jail last week.

He went on to say that more charges and arrests are possible.