A pound and a half of Meth found in single car traffic stop
Featured News, Featured Stories, News September 21, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement on social media today reporting a single traffic stop. A normal traffic stop is nothing of import except that this stop resulted in the seizure of 1.69 pounds of methamphetamine.
Corporal Parks of the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office arrested two on September 9, 2021, after finding 1.69 pounds of methamphetamine in the vehicle of a traffic stop.
For reference, federal guidelines referencing the United States Sentencing Commission dictate a minimum sentence of 10 years for trafficking in 50 grams of Meth. According to the Sheriff’s report, the driver of the vehicle, Ethan Matthew Leonard, 17, and passenger, Anthony Stephen Ray, 20, were in possession of over 15 times that amount.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, “Corporal F. Parks initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for failure to maintain lane and a window tint violation. Upon contact with the occupants in the car, Corporal Parks determined the driver was under the influence of marijuana.”
The United States Department of Justice states that Crystal Methamphetamine is a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule II drugs, which include cocaine and PCP, have a high potential for abuse. Gilmer Sheriff Stacy Nicholson has also offered reports on the influx of and arrests made in relation to large amounts of drugs in the county. In July of 2021, he delivered a report to the media indicating a number of arrests made in the first half of the year.
A bag of of 1.69 pounds of methamphetamine was seized along with THC oil in a traffic stop, resulting in charges including intent to distribute.
Going from what information the Sheriff’s Office delivered in those arrests, only one comes close. A July 19, 2021, arrest for 628 grams (1.38 pounds) of Meth.
With this arrest, it becomes the largest amount out of those released to the public. The Sheriff’s Office stated that when Parks questioned the two in the vehicle, both occupants had conflicting stories and timelines of their travels.
The office stated, “The passenger provided Corporal Parks with a THC oil vape which gave probable cause to search the vehicle. During the search, approximately 763 grams (1.69 pounds) of methamphetamine was located under the back seat.”
Arrested on September 9, 2021, Ethan Matthew Leonard and Anthony Stephen Ray, both from Franklin, North Carolina, were arrested and charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute, Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of Schedule 1 Drug (THC oil), and Georgia window tint violation.
Rodriguez arrested in Delgado murder, extradition could mean trial in Georgia
Featured News, Featured Stories July 3, 2021
CHERRY LOG, Ga. – Joint releases continue from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) as another arrest has been made for involvement with April 2021 murder of Rossana Delgado, this time for Juan Ayala-Rodriguez.
Reaching all the way back to the original warrants for their alleged involvement, the GBI, working in partnership with the United States Marshal’s Service (USMS) Atlanta and San Diego, coordinated the transfer to U.S. custody of Juan Ayala-Rodriguez, age 35, after his arrest in Mexico.
Rossana Delgado was discovered in April of 2021 in Cherry Log where she was allegedly murdered.
On April 24, 2021, FYN reported Rodriquez, of Gainesville, Georgia, along with three other suspects, as wanted in connection to the murder. Later, in May 2021, reports came of the arrest of two of those original four alongside a fifth suspect. Now, Rodriquez is the third of the original four arrested.
According to the GBI, “Rodriguez was arrested in Durango, Mexico on Saturday, June 26, 2021. The USMS-San Diego and Customs and Border Protection oversaw the transfer of Rodriguez to USMS custody and subsequent detention at a California facility. Rodriguez is pending extradition to Georgia to face murder charges.”
No specific information is available on which court Rodriguez may face the charges in. Delgado was last seen in Doraville, Georgia on April 17, 2021. Her husband and authorities tracked her phone as a possible location of Delgado to Covington Highway, which is more on the southeastern side of Atlanta. Eventually, her body was found in a residence in Cherry Log, Georgia, in Northeast Gilmer County.
The GBI stated, “USMS and the United States Department of Homeland Security (HSI) have worked diligently to assist the GBI and the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office in this case and in this arrest. The GBI and the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office are very grateful for the support and efforts of the USMS, HSI and all agencies involved in effecting this arrest.”
The GBI and the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office continue to actively investigate this case and the individuals involved in the murder of Rossana Delgado. With three of the four original warrants executed and in custody, the fifth suspect arrested and in custody, the GBI asserted that a coordinated effort to locate and arrest the other three murder suspects, Mario Alberto Barbosa-Juarez, Carolina Jazmin Rodriguez-Ramirez and Maria Chavez is active and ongoing.
As always, the GBI requests that anyone with information to please contact the GBI. 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.
Delgado case updates with new warrant and suspect
Featured News, Featured Stories, News June 18, 2021
CHERRY LOG, Ga. – New information is continuing to come out from authorities on the April 20, 2021, discovery of the murder of Rosanna Delgado.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigations has issued yet another warrant in the investigation, this time for Maria Katherine Chavez Encarnacion, 28, of Marietta, GA. The warrant was officially issued for murder due to her alleged involvement.
According to authorities, Encarnacion’s last known location is Mexico. They did not say exactly how Encarnacion was involved in the murder.
As always, officials are asking anyone with any information about Encarnacion’s current location to contact the GBI.
Tips can 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. If anyone sees Encarnacion, please contact 911.
This case has been ongoing since late April, but it has seen consistent updates as GBI, Homeland Security, and Gilmer Sheriff have supported and continued investigations that started with a welfare check at a Cherry Log Residence. Since then, they have issued seven warrants for arrest, Encarnacion being the seventh. They have also made three arrests of those warrants and one related arrest.
As the investigation nears two months, this latest warrant could indicate new information or changes in the case, as the GBI continues updating us, we will continue to update the story.
Sheriff’s Office takes Dillon Andrew Godfrey into custody
Featured News, Featured Stories, News June 13, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – An official statement from the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that Dillon Andrew Godfrey has been taken into custody over the weekend.
Godfrey, 28, fled from authorities in the area of Gunstock Creek Road according to the Sheriff’s Office. Now captured, he faces charges including Aggravated Child Molestation, 2 counts of Child Molestation, Cruelty to Children, Probation Violation, 3 counts of Obstruction.
The office thanked citizens for tips and help in spreading information, but did not comment on exactly how he was taken into custody. They have been seeking Godfrey’s whereabouts since Monday, June 7, 2021, and asking for information and help in locating him. Several comments on their Social Media post mentioned possible location, but the Sheriff’s Office also encouraged people to call in at the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division.
FYN will follow the arrest as more details become available.
North Carolina woman arrested on trafficking methamphetamine charges
Featured News, Featured Stories June 9, 2021
The Towns County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol makes a vital bust confiscating about a pound of methamphetamine.
Sunday, June 6, 2021, the Georgia State Patrol initiated a traffics stop resulting in the arrest of Jennifer Lynn Williams 31 of Crumpler, NC. The Towns County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit in conjunction with the Georgia State Patrol took up the investigation confiscating the vehicle.
According to Sheriff Ken Henderson, this is part of an ongoing investigation with this arrest impacting the supply chain and large amounts of dangerous drugs coming into the community and potentially into the hands of local youth.
Based on our investigation Jennifer Lynn Williams is a major supplier of drugs in the area.
Jennifer Lynn Williams is being charged with the following.
• Drug related objects
• Damage to government property
• Drugs not in original container
• Trafficking in methamphetamine
• Giving false name
• Possession of schedule II-controlled substance
• Possession of methamphetamine
• Obstruction of officer
• Possession of a firearm during commission of a felony
Sheriff Henderson would like to thank the Georgia State Patrol, Towns County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, and Drug Unit for their continued commitment to combating drugs in our great county.
One arrested following a domestic-related shooting
Featured News, Featured Stories, News June 2, 2021
Delgado case updates with woman’s identity and arrest warrant
Featured News, Featured Stories, News May 26, 2021
CHERRY LOG, Ga. – Investigators have confirmed the identity of, and issued a murder warrant for, a woman previously reported in the Rossana Delgado murder case as a person of interest that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was seeking to question.
Originally releasing a video of an unnamed woman alongside Rossana Delgado in a Ross store, the GBI requested the public’s help in identifying her. Now, the GBI has released her name. But more than just the name, a murder warrant has been issued for Carolina Jazmin Rodriguez-Ramirez, 28 of Oklahoma, for her involvement in the murder of Rossana Delgado.
The GBI originally stated that the woman, now known to be Rodriguez-Ramirez, was one of the last people to interact with the victim long before authorities discovered the name of the fifth suspect when they arrested three people involved in the murder. Now, investigators have identified Rodriguez-Ramirez as the woman with Rossana Delgado in the Ross and Mercado Fresco video previously released in this case.
The video, taken on April 16, 2021, shows the now sixth suspect allegedly involved in the murder according to the warrant.
The GBI stated, “Rodriguez-Ramirez’ location is currently unknown, but she is believed to be in Mexico with at least one other suspect, Mario Alberto Barbosa-Juarez.”
The GBI press release also stated that additional charges are anticipated in addition to the murder warrant. They have already confirmed involvement and partnerships with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Atlanta, HSI Harlingen, Texas and Attaché Matamoros, Mexico. This was how they coordinated their three previous arrests in the case, all three of which took place in Mexico.
Police and Investigators have continually asked for the public’s help in identifying or finding additional information on suspects allegedly involved in the case, but have not commented specifically on if this identification came from a public tip or through the investigators themselves. More information is continuing to become available from the GBI and will be posted to FYN when available.
GBI updates investigation with evidence and one connected arrest
Featured Stories, News April 30, 2021
CHERRY LOG, Ga. – The GBI has announced the seizure of two vehicles in relation to the murder of Rossana Delgado alongside an arrest.
“A white Ford F150 and white Buick Regal belonging to two of the five suspects in the murder of Rossana Delgado and Delgado’s red Ford Focus have been recovered. All three vehicles are being processed for evidence in this investigation,” said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
Rossana Delgado
In the same press release announcing the seizure of the vehicles, they also announced the arrest of Calvin Harvard, 28, of Covington, Georgia. Charged with tampering with evidence and theft by receiving stolen property, the GBI states that additional arrests are anticipated.
However, the GBI did not specifically state how Harvard is connected to the case or if the vehicles were specifically recovered from his home. However, the release does indicate some connection as part of the agency’s ongoing updates on the Delgado murder.
More information is continuing to come from the GBI and local authorities from the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office in this ongoing investigation. FYN will continue to update the story as more information becomes available.
Larceny suspect apprehended at Shell Station
Featured News, Featured Stories, News March 17, 2021
ROBBINSVILLE, N.C. – At approximately 1:15 p.m. Graham County Sheriff’s Office arrested a male at the Shell Station in Robbinsville for allegedly committing larceny.
On Wednesday morning, health department and social services employees discovered that catalytic converters had been cut from four of the county-owned vehicles. The surveillance footage showed two male individuals there after dark and appearing to tamper with county vehicles.
Last night around 1:00 a.m., a man matching the description of one in the county surveillance footage entered the Shell Station and stole between $150 and $250. Today, he returned to the location for unknown reasons and employees called the police. A clerk positively ID’ed the man on camera surveillance.
Deputies apprehended the man from the station’s bathroom where he was flushing the toilet. After a complete search of the car, no narcotics were found.
Graham County Sheriff’s Office later released the suspect’s name, Joseph Pressley, 32, of Marble, NC. He was charged with shoplifting and four felony counts of “injury to property to obtain nonferrous metals” or larceny of catalytic converters. His bond was set at $10,000.
He also has an outstanding warrant in Fannin County, Ga.
The second individual’s face did not appear on camera and the sheriff’s office requests assistance from the public to locate him.
Graham County Sheriff’s Office thanked the employees of the Shell Station for calling them when the clerk recognized Pressley. The Shell employees did not know about the catalytic converter theft.
Former Fannin resident allegedly identified as “zip tie guy” in Capitol riot
Featured News, Featured Stories, News January 11, 2021
WASHINGTON DC – FBI tracked down with the public’s help the alleged “zip tie guy” and identified him as Erik Munchel using context clues in the Capitol Hill photographs.
The zip tie guy was covered head to toe with few identifying markers, which led to close examinations of any photo with the individual.
Once identified, Nashville Police arrested Munchel over the weekend. In a statement the United States Attorney’s Office said:
“Eric Gavelek Munchel, of Tennessee, was charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Munchel was arrested today in Tennessee.
It is alleged that Munchel was inside of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Photos depicting his presence show a person who appears to be Munchel carrying plastic restraints, an item in a holster on his right hip, and a cell phone mounted on his chest with the camera facing outward, ostensibly to record events that day.”
Munchel’s now-removed Facebook page listed him as a Fannin County High School graduate. He was living in Nashville, working as a bartender.
The ATF and FBI continue to urge the public to report suspected use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email [email protected] or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com.
The FBI is looking for individuals who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit images or videos at fbi.gov/USCapitol.
Feature image courtesy of Josh Breslow.
Ingram may have threatened more than courthouse
Featured, Featured Stories, News January 11, 2021ELLIJAY, Ga. – Earlier this week, a threat was reported and dealt with regarding the Gilmer County Courthouse on the night of January 5, 2021.
The reported threat allegedly came from Travis Webb Ingram, 44. Ingram was arrested by the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office the same day. Facing a felony charge of Terroristic Threats and Actions according to the Sheriff’s Booking Report, Ingram allegedly made threats on social media about going to the courthouse with a bomb. The report indicates as much, stating the offense location as cyberspace.
Travis Webb Ingram
However, according to the Sheriff’s report, the courthouse may not have been the only threat issued or the only charge possibly brought against Ingram.
The report indicates possible drug involvement in the incident. Reports indicate a suspicion of use or involvement of methamphetamines. While the investigation continues, new charges could be brought up, but for now, the only noted charge remains Terroristic threats.
In addition to the threat of a bomb against the courthouse, there was alleged reports noted in the incident report that Ingram was “extremely angry” and posed threats “against law enforcement and his ex-girlfriend’s life.”
The Sheriff’s Office dispatched several units to locations in response to the threat including the courthouse and to Ingram’s address. After arrest, Ingram was taken to the Gilmer County Detention Center for processing.
All of these new details including the allegations of drug use with methamphetamines, threats against the additional female, and threats against police are coming from the Sheriff’s Office on incident report. Yet, no additional charges were noted on the arrest record. FYN will continue to add new updates to this story as Sheriff Stacy Nicholson releases additional details.
Gilmer Courthouse suffers bomb threat on election night
News January 6, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer County may not have had issues at the poll precincts, but the courthouse saw issue on election night as a bomb threat was called in on the facility.
According to the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, “An anonymous caller notified the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office of Facebook posts made by a Travis Ingram regarding his anger against law enforcement about a prior arrest, as well as a specific threat that he had a bomb and was headed to the courthouse.”
Staff at the courthouse was put on high alert, and while the statement from the Sheriff’s Office did not directly connect with election night, other counties are receiving specific threats related to political ideals and the elections specifically.
Pickens County posted officers at precincts in a pre-emptive effort based on the threats in other counties as well.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the staff inside the courthouse was put on alert, and election staff had to follow special response considering election ballots being on premises.
According to Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins, as they prepared ballots and discussed what to do as they are not normally allowed to leave ballots unattended, the threat was dealt with before they were forced to move or do anything with the ballots due to the threat.
The statement read, “Based on the severity of the threats and actions he stated he intended to carry out, the courthouse staff was put on a high alert status and deputies began looking for Ingram.”
The statement continues on saying that Ingram was found and arrested. Ingram is facing charges of Terroristic Threats & Acts and is currently being held in the Gilmer County Detention Center.
Despite the threat, proceedings continued at the courthouse throughout the night. Elections were still allowed to continue as planned with ballot counting during the night.
Gilmer Courthouse suffers bomb threat on election night
Featured, Featured Stories, News January 6, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer County may not have had issues at the poll precincts, but the courthouse saw issue on election night as a bomb threat was called in on the facility.
According to the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, “An anonymous caller notified the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office of Facebook posts made by a Travis Ingram regarding his anger against law enforcement about a prior arrest, as well as a specific threat that he had a bomb and was headed to the courthouse.”
Staff at the courthouse was put on high alert, and while the statement from the Sheriff’s Office did not directly connect with election night, other counties are receiving specific threats related to political ideals and the elections specifically.
Pickens County posted officers at precincts in a pre-emptive effort based on the threats in other counties as well.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the staff inside the courthouse was put on alert, and election staff had to follow special response considering election ballots being on premises.
According to Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins, as they prepared ballots and discussed what to do as they are not normally allowed to leave ballots unattended, the threat was dealt with before they were forced to move or do anything with the ballots due to the threat.
The statement read, “Based on the severity of the threats and actions he stated he intended to carry out, the courthouse staff was put on a high alert status and deputies began looking for Ingram.”
The statement continues on saying that Ingram was found and arrested. Ingram is facing charges of Terroristic Threats & Acts and is currently being held in the Gilmer County Detention Center.
Despite the threat, proceedings continued at the courthouse throughout the night. Elections were still allowed to continue as planned with ballot counting during the night.
Traffic stop yields heroin, syringes, methamphetamine
Business, Featured Stories, News November 2, 2020
LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — What started as a routine traffic stop on Burnt Stand Road resulted in the confiscation of two syringes, a small quantity of heroin and a small bag of methamphetamine last week.
According to the incident report, Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Deputy Blake Sargent was traveling toward Hwy. 400 on Burnt Stand Road when an oncoming vehicle crossed into his lane then swerved back into its lane. The deputy made a u-turn then followed the vehicle into a neighborhood off Burnt Stand Rd.
The vehicle came to a stop near a cul-de-sac and the driver Benjamin Charles Jones, 39, exited the vehicle and began to walk toward Sargent’s patrol car. Lumpkin County dispatch advised the deputy the vehicle tag and Jones’ driver’s license were expired.
The vehicle was impounded and during a search, Sargent observed a syringe loaded with a brown liquid consistent with heroin, a backpack that contained a syringe and a clear plastic bag, with more of the brown liquid. As he was being taken into custody, a blue plastic bag with a substance that appeared to be methamphetamine fell off Jones person.
Jones was handcuffed and transported to Lumpkin County Detention Center.
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Employee from February incident out on bond
News July 20, 2020
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – February saw a threat and incident at the Gilmer Schools’ Transportation Depot as a single woman allegedly walked into the facility with a firearm. Now, nearly 150 days later, Mary Newberry has left the detention center on bond.
Allegedly the woman behind the incident, she faces felony charges of Aggravated Assault and Carrying a Weapon in School Safety Zone among others, according to information on the Sheriff’s website for the Detention Center. She also face misdemeanor charges of Simple Battery, Pointing or Aiming a gun at another, and Loitering at or Disrupting Schools.
Clear Creek Middle School in Gilmer County
Posting the bond late last week after it was set by Superior Court Judge John Worcester, she has been placed under 15 conditions according to documents filed with the Clerk of Superior Court.
Those conditions include the bond payment, house arrest, “no contact” orders with a 500-foot distance for witnesses and alleged victims, “no contact” orders including a 500-foot distance from properties of the Gilmer County Charter School System, restrictions on employment with any school system, ankle monitoring, restrictions from firearms, voluntary searches, and other restrictions against committing crimes in general.
In addition, the documents do reference a reasoning as for the bond coming now. The documents stated that both parties “have reached a consent agreement (due to the alleged present physical health conditions of the defendant at the request of the Gilmer County Jail) to the amount of bond and the conditions of bond for the Defendant…”
The alleged incident occurred on the afternoon of February 27, 2020, around 1:30 p.m. and caused the nearby Clear Creek Middle School to go into a “precautionary lock-down.”
As Schools Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs reported at the time, there were no injuries from the incident.
Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Offices locates runaway juveniles
Community, News March 8, 2019
LUMPKIN CO., GA
According to the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Michael Gravely met with two complainants at the LCSO, regarding two runaway juveniles on March 3.
Complainant one explained that his fourteen-year-old daughter had her fifteen-year-old-friend staying with her for a sleepover at his Dahlonega residence. Sometime between 8:00PM and 11:30PM, they left the residence, and the complainant was unaware of where they had gone, since the two juveniles did not have permission to leave. After the information was confirmed by complainant two, they both told police that they had spent the night/early morning looking for the missing teens.
Officials searched the known areas and people who might know the juveniles, in an attempt to locate them. A Missing/Lost Persons Report was filed for both teens, and a BOLO was sent out for the local area/surrounding counties. The juveniles were also put on the LCSO media page, with guardian permission.
Investigators learned from an informant, who was the boyfriend of the runaways, that both girls were at the birthday party around midnight and were in good spirits during the party. About 15 minutes after their arrival, both girls left, (presumingly on foot), but returned to the party after some time, in a gray, four-door, passenger vehicle, (possibly a Honda Civic), with a Georgia tag.
They were with two white males, whom he had never met. He noticed the males acting suspicious, by hiding every time a car drove by. The informant further explained that the two males had revealed that they were on probation and had warrants out for their arrests.
The white males also stated that the juveniles had told him that they had run away, and were scared of getting caught, due to the potentiality of juvenile court.
Further questioning led investigators to a Dawson County residence, where the missing juveniles were possibly hiding. Deputy Gravely reports seeing a gray, four-door, passenger sedan with a Georgia tag at the residence, but they could not locate any individuals at the residence.
On March 3, at exactly 8:00PM, Deputy Gravely received text messages from the original complainants, stating that they both believe they had new information on the teen’s whereabouts, and at 8:22PM on March 3, the LCSO posted on their Facebook page that the missing teens had been found, “Both teenage girls have been found safe. I would like to thank everyone for your assistance and prayers during the search. Thanks! Sheriff Stacy M. Jarrard”
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