In late November, officers with the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia Department of Natural Resources conducted an operation near Denton, resulting in two arrests on a variety of charges. This was one of several operations Jeff Davis County law enforcement officers worked in late November and early December. The various investigations yielded nine arrests.
DNR officers and investigators from the Jeff Davis County Drug Unit executed a search warrant at the residence of Christopher Newman. During the search, investigators discovered several game and wildlife violations, firearms and other drug related violations. Christopher Newman appeared to have ingested illegal substances which caused him to be treated by emergency services at the scene. This investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.
Officers from the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office, Hazlehurst Police Department, and DNR conducted a second search warrant on Monday, November 29, 2021. This search led to the arrest of John Casey Newman, who they found to be in possession of controlled substances. State rangers discovered violations as well and issued citations. John Casey Newman was transported to the Jeff Davis County Detention Center and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana less than one ounce, and possession of a drug related object.
In an unrelated incident, a Jeff Davis County deputy and a drug officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle. During the stop, officers discovered the passenger, Zackery Medders of Hazlehurst, was a wanted fugitive in possession of illegal substances. He was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana less than one ounce, possession of a drug related object, and a bench warrant. The driver, William Haynes of Hazlehurst was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana less than one ounce and possession of a drug related object. Both occupants were arrested and transported to the Jeff Davis County Detention Center.
On December 1, 2021 the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office along with the drug unit were attempting to locate Christopher Calhoun in reference to an outstanding warrant. Officers were able to locate him, and, as officers approached, Calhoun attempted to hide but was quickly apprehended. Christopher Calhoun was arrested on his outstanding probation warrant and additionally was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug related object.
On December 3, 2021 the Jeff Davis County Drug Unit executed a search at a home on Dewey Crosby Road. As a result, Katie McLoon was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug related object, and probation violation. Madison McMillan was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine.
On December 5, 2021 at approximately 11:30 p.m., the Jeff Davis County Drug Unit and officers from the DNR conducted a brief investigation in the area of Towns Bluff Landing in Jeff Davis County. Officers intercepted a suspicious vehicle with two occupants. During the investigation, it appeared that occupants were in possession of drug related objects. Quantities of controlled substances were found during a search of the vehicle. The driver, Steven Garrett, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of drug related objects. The passenger, Kaitlyn Clark, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug related objects.
After arresting Garrett and Clark, officers continued to work Towns Bluff Landing. Shortly after the first incident, officers noticed another vehicle and made contact with William Stafford and Diane Dixon. During the investigation, officers discovered that Stafford was in possession of controlled substances. Dixon, who was driving, was in possession of an unknown substance but released without charges at the time. Stafford was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug related objects. The following day, officers were able to identify the unknown substance as methamphetamine. Officers then arrested Dixon and investigated recovered stolen property from Georgia Power. When officers made contact with Dixon, she possessed methamphetamine and will be charged with another count of possession of methamphetamine. After the investigation, Stafford was also charged with possession of methamphetamine and theft by taking (over $1,000).