Cache of Guns Recovered, Stolen out of Stephens County

On Saturday, Feb. 10 the Toccoa Police Department made an arrest after finding several stolen guns inside the suspect’s vehicle.

According to Toccoa’s Interim Police Chief Jimmy Mize, Sgt. Matthew Mealor pulled over a black Kia Optima, driven by Zachary Johnson, 35, of Toccoa, on Big A Road after receiving a tip that the vehicle may contain guns.

When Mealor checked Johnson’s license, it came back that it had been revoked.

Originally the police department thought the cache of guns were stolen out of White County; however, after further investigation, officers discovered that they were stolen from a residence in Stephens County, according to Mize.

Mize also added that the department had two individuals come forward who had previously purchase guns from Johnson.

“We had two individuals who came forward with concerns, because they had purchased guns from Johnson in the past; however, the guns came back clear,” Mize said.

The guns recovered included a Ruger mini 14, a Smith & Wesson MP22 handgun, a black Colt revolver, a Ruger 22 pistol, and a Sig Sauer rifle with scope.

One of the handguns also had the serial number filed off.

Mize added that the guns seized have been turned over to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, so that they could follow up on the burglary.

Johnson was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, driving while license suspended or revoked, possession of a firearm with altered serial number.

Johnson also had an active probation warrant from Stephens County.