PRESS RELEASE – In the early morning hours of Sept. 30, 2024, a deputy with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office and an officer from the Toccoa Police Department were conducting routine patrols on Big A Road when they observed suspicious activity behind a local business.

Their investigation resulted in the arrests of Bruce Bailey, 31 of Toccoa, and Tyler Toliver, 28 of Toccoa.

While patrolling Big A Road, a Sheriff’s Office deputy and Toccoa PD officer were having a conversation in a parking lot when they observed multiple people walking back and forth behind a local business.

They drove their patrol cars around the back of the building and observed what appeared to be a shelter made of upright wooden pallets and articles of clothing.

The shelter was built against a wall near the back entrance to the building.

After approaching the structure, they made contact with two males, Bruce Bailey and Tyler Toliver, whom they recognized as part of the local homeless community.

While speaking with Bailey and Toliver, the officers observed a plastic bag containing needles and syringes common in the use of illegal drugs on the ground beside Toliver.

Both subjects claimed they did not know where the bag came from and that it did not belong to them.

The deputy instructed the two males to stand up, and they gave the officers consent to search their persons and possessions.

During the search, the Toccoa PD officer located a small plastic bag containing suspected methamphetamine in a crystal form.

After searching the makeshift shelter, the Sheriff’s Office deputy discovered a syringe containing suspected methamphetamine in a liquid form, along with additional syringes and a rubber band commonly used for injections or blood draws.

Both Bailey and Toliver were then arrested and transported to the Stephens County Jail without incident.

At the jail, Sheriff’s Office deputies performed a field test on the contents of the syringe containing suspected methamphetamine.

The test indicated a positive result for the presence of methamphetamine.

Both Bailey and Toliver were charged with two counts of Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Related Objects.

Both subjects were also issued criminal trespass warning notices for the property.

They remain in the Stephens County Jail with a bond amount of $12,000 each.

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office and Toccoa Police Department remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community.

We encourage citizens to report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement and/or Stephens County 911.