Cleveland Man Arrested on Drug and Weapons Related Charges in White County

PRESS RELEASE – The GBI has arrested Michael Thompson, age 56, of Cleveland, GA on drug and gun charges. On December 19, 2023, the White County Sheriff’s Office and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office executed a search warrant at Thompson’s home in Cleveland, GA.

Thompson was arrested on scene and charged with the following:

• Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute
• Trafficking in methamphetamine
• Possession of a controlled substance (Schedule II)
• Possession of a firearm during commission of a felony (15 counts)
• Unlawful possession of firearms or weapons

The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office began investigating Thompson in October after receiving a tip that he was possibly selling illegal drugs. As a result of the investigation, a search warrant for his home was obtained. During the execution of the search warrant, around 47 grams of suspected methamphetamine, one pound of suspected marijuana, several pills, 15 firearms, and money were located and seized from the home.

Thompson was booked into the White County Detention Center.

This is an ongoing investigation.

If you have information related to drug activity, you are encouraged to call GBI ARDEO at (706) 348-7410. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that covers 30 counties in North Georgia and consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices and Police Agencies: White County, Lumpkin County, Banks County, Jackson County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Franklin County, Gilmer County, Fannin County, the Cleveland Police Department and the Toccoa Police Department, along with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Community Supervision, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.