Toccoa man arrested on drug charges

PRESS RELEASE- On April 26, the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office reported the arrest of a Toccoa man following a traffic stop where drugs were found.

A K-9 Deputy with the Sheriff’s Office STING Unit was patrolling the area of Historic Highway 17 when he observed a white in color Lincoln sedan without a headlight and without a tag. The deputy conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle on Hayes Wilbanks Road.

After making contact with the driver, deputies observed him attempting to conceal an item in his front pants zipper area. The deputy asked the driver to step out of his vehicle to conduct a pat down for deputy safety.

During the pat down, the deputy felt what he believed to be a large plastic baggie containing a rocklike substance suspected to be methamphetamine with a weight of approximately 23 grams.

A K-9 search of the vehicle revealed a plastic vial with the label removed containing three white prescription-type pills. Deputies also located small baggies and weighing scales in the vehicle that are commonly used to facilitate the distribution of illegal substances. The white pills will be sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab for identification. The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office also seized the 2011 Lincoln 4S and has forwarded the necessary forfeiture paperwork to the District Attorney’s Office.

The driver is identified as Thomas Clifford Burnette, age 59. He was arrested and taken to the Stephens County Jail. Burnette was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, and Registration Requirements. Burnette is awaiting a first appearance.