SCSO makes arrest during recent traffic stop

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office made an arrest following a traffic stop.

According to Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, on May 27, around 3:23 p.m., deputies initiated a traffic stop on a Toccoa man at the intersection of Oil Mill Road and Historic Hwy 17, in Martin, after the suspect was seen leaving the scene of an assault at 95 Oil Mill Road.

Shirley says deputies approached the driver and observed in plain view an open container of alcohol inside the vehicle.

The deputy then asked the driver to step out of the vehicle in order to perform a Standardized Field Sobriety test.

A trooper with the Georgia State Patrol performed the test on the driver and determined that the driver was not under the influence of alcohol.

While the trooper was performing the filed sobriety test on the driver, Shirley says, one of the passengers admitted to deputies that illegal drugs were inside the vehicle.

All of the passengers were asked to exit the vehicle and were patted down; during which, deputies felt a bulge in the pocket of one of the passengers. That passenger, identified as Michael Maxwell, stated to deputies that the bulge was a baggie of marijuana.

Maxwell further stated that there were two smoked marijuana “joints” in between the seats, as well as a cooler that contained more Marijuana and Methamphetamine.

Deputies recovered the cooler that contained approximately 31.2 grams of marijuana, a baggie of Methamphetamine weighing approximately 13 grams, two additional containers of liquid methamphetamine, weighing scales, and packing material commonly used in the distribution of illegal drugs.

Michael Maxwell, 45, of Toccoa was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of drug related objects.

Maxwell was denied bond by the magistrate Judge on May 27, during his first appearance hearing.

He is currently incarcerated in the Stephens County Jail.