SCSO makes two arrests during two separate traffic stops

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office recently arrested two Toccoa residents following separate traffic stops.

According to Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, the first arrest occurred on December 18, at 12:38 a.m., when a K-9 Deputy with the Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on the Highway 17 bypass near Martin after observing a Jeep Liberty driving erratically, making sudden lane changes.

Shirley says, after a secondary unit arrived, K-9 Dexter alerted at the driver’s side door. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a quantity of methamphetamine.

The driver, identified as 39-year-old Mark Smith, was arrested and charged with illegally possessing methamphetamine.

Smith is currently out on bond from the Stephens County Jail.

Shirley says the second arrest occurred on December 19, at 11:00 p.m., when a K-9 deputy with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Davis Road on a dark colored Ford Explorer for no vehicle license plate.

Shirley says the deputy attempted to approach the vehicle, but the driver opened their door and fled on foot.

K-9 Dexter was deployed to track the individual. Due to rainy weather conditions the track was initially unsuccessful.

The passenger of the vehicle was compliant with deputies and stated it was a female that ran.

As a backup deputy arrive, Cpl. Vice and K-9 Dexter began searching for the female driver.

K-9 Dexter tracked the female to a nearby home under construction and located the female hiding in a dumpster.

A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a quantity of methamphetamine and a shotgun.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as 19-year-old TY’Jalane Mayfield, was arrested and charged with obstruction of law enforcement officers, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, driving without a license plate, possession of methamphetamine, and failure to appear in court.

Mayfield is currently incarcerated in the Stephens County Jail.