Sheriff’s Deputies Make More Arrests

The Stephens County Sheriff’s office was busy this past weekend after arresting 30 individuals involved in a drug trafficking operation.

In addition to those arrests, Sheriff Randy Shirley reports a separate incident involving drugs and an arrest as a result of a burglary.

On July 28, investigators performed a traffic stop on Mize Road at its intersection with Carnes Creek Rd after becoming suspicious of a vehicle that suddenly and abruptly turned as officers pulled behind it. Investigators also noticed the suspect in the front passenger seat was not wearing his seatbelt.

Shirley said the suspects in the vehicle became extremely nervous and gave conflicting stories about where they were coming and going. During the course of the stop investigators conducted a search of the vehicle and located a small plastic baggy hidden in a half full drink can in the console cup holder.

The bag was open and the liquid had a partially dissolved white crystal substance in the bag. Investigators tested the liquid in the bag and found that it tested positive for Methamphetamine.

Shirley stated both the driver Jeffery Dane Thomas, 22 of Toccoa and the passenger Michael Pitts, 30 of Toccoa were arrested, charged with possession of Methamphetamine. Thomas is on a $5,000 bond and Pitts has been released on bond.

And on July 27, deputies responded to 2351 East Silver Shoals in reference to a Burglary that had already occurred.

According to the owner of the residence, the burglary had occurred the previous day and several items, primarily electronics, were taken from inside. Due to previous similar incidents the homeowner had installed cameras on their property. These cameras were found to have recorded three suspects entering a rear window of the residence.

Sheriff Shirley said investigators were able to identify the three subjects through the pictures and have already arrested one and issued arrest warrants for the other two.

James Ramey, 42 of Martin, was arrested and charged with 2nd degree Burglary and is being held at Stephens County Jail, pending a first appearance hearing. Warrants for 2nd degree Burglary have been issued for Nikki Ramey, 25 of Martin and Jason Goss, 25 of Martin who have not yet been arrested.