Taillight stop leads to arrest of two

Stephens  County Sheriff Randy Shirley has reported on an arrest recently carried out by Stephens County Deputies. 

On August 25, Deputies with Stephens County Sheriff’s Office were conducting concentrated patrols when a Stephens County Sheriff’s Office STING K9 Unit saw a Blue Dodge Ram 1500 with a broken taillight driving down Big A Road. 

The K9 Deputy pulled the pickup over for the taillight and immediately noticed a lot of movement inside the vehicle on the passenger side. The deputy approached the passenger side and spoke with Brandon Griffin, 38,  of Toccoa. The deputy noticed that Griffin was overly nervous, so he was asked to step out. 

The deputy then spoke with the driver Bobby Holbrooks, 63, of Westminster SC. After speaking with the driver, the deputy got his consent to search the truck. After searching the truck, a quantity of methamphetamine was located along with marijuana, a suspected ecstasy pill, THC pen, a glass pipe and a digital scale. Located along with the drugs were two plate carriers in which one had a loaded magazine, a Ruger Mini-14 rifle, a flag with a swastika and two swastika pins.

Holbrooks was arrested and charged with DUI, Possession of firearm during the commission of a felony, four counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of an open container, possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possession of drug related objects, possession of marijuana and taillight requirements. Holbrooks is being held at the Stephens County Jail on a $72,000 bond.

Griffin was arrested and charged with Possession of firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, four counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of an open container, possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possession of drug related objects and possession of marijuana. Griffin is being held at the Stephens County Jail on a $77,000 bond and a probation violation.

FBI agents requested to speak with Holbrooks and Griffin regarding the swastikas in Holbrook’s possession. The FBI has not provided a report on the conversation.