Earlier this month, a two-year-old child was treated in Savannah after testing positive for methamphetamine while allegedly in the care of a babysitter. The incident happened in Jeff Davis County.
On Thursday, July 6, 2023, Jeff Davis County criminal investigators initiated an investigation after learning that a two-year-old child was rushed to Savannah hospital and ultimately tested positive for methamphetamine allegedly under the care of a babysitter. After an investigation into the matter, investigators executed a search warrant the following day at the home of the babysitter where large quantities of methamphetamine and firearms were discovered inside.
Debra Terry was arrested and charged with cruelty to children in the second degree, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Jonathan Taylor wwas arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The child made a full recovery and is with its parents.
Here are other incidents Jeff Davis officers investigated during July.
On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, deputies initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, the passenger of the vehicle gave law enforcement a name that was suspected to be false. As the investigation continued, the passenger’s information was not adding up and he eventually stated he “was just playing” about his identity and gave his true information. At that point, the passenger’s information was confirmed and it was discovered he had an active probation warrant for his arrest out of Bulloch County. During the course of the traffic stop, verbal consent was given to search the vehicle and quantities of suspected methamphetamine were found. The passenger, Jeffery Thompson, admitted the drugs belonged to him resulting in the driver being released with no charges. Thompson was charged with possession of methamphetamine and probation violation.
On Wednesday, July, 12, 2023, drug investigators conducting an investigation initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation. The driver did not yield to emergency vehicles and sirens and kept traveling without accelerating or yielding. A few minutes later, the driver pulled into a dirt road and slowly stopped the vehicle. After investigators made contact with the two occupants of the vehicle, they stated they were just looking for a place to pull over. While identifying the occupants, one of them discarded items into the back bed of their vehicle. The items were a container with suspected meth residue and a tablet. A search of the rest of the vehicle yielded quantities of methamphetamine. Stanley Martinez was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and Travis Cox was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of Schedule III Controlled Substance.
On Friday, July 14, 2023, drug investigators located a wanted fugitive with a felony probation warrant at a residence in Jeff Davis County. Law enforcement arrived at the residence and located Matthew McKenzie Carter near a barn where he was immediately detained. A search of the immediate area was conducted and quantities of methamphetamine, several loaded firearms, scales and packaging materials were discovered. Carter was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission a crime, and possession of drug related objects.
On the same day, troopers with the Georgia State Patrol requested assistance from drug investigators after a single vehicle accident. Officers discovered the driver admitted to possessing methamphetamine. A search of the vehicle was conducted and additional quantities of methamphetamine were found. Alan Batchelor was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug related objects and minor traffic citations.
Later that Friday night, drug investigators were notified about a situation where deputies responded to a residence regarding a civil matter. During the investigation, quantities of suspected marijuana plants were discovered outside the home. The evidence was collected from the scene. Following an investigation, Steven McCullar was charged with manufacturing marijuana and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The investigation is ongoing.
On Saturday, July 15, 2023, troopers with the Georgia State Patrol initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding 16 miles over the posted speed limit. Upon making contact with the driver, Alesa Hall, officers immediately detected the odor of marijuana. Hall admitted she was smoking a marijuana blunt and that she had more in the vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle and found quantities of methamphetamine and marijuana. Hall was arrested and transported to the jail. Later that day, jail officers discovered Hall had concealed quantities of methamphetamine on her person and attempted to share the drugs to her cellmates. The drugs were seized and collected. Alesa Hall was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, crossing the guard lines with contraband, possession of marijuana less than one ounce, possession of drug related objects and probation violation.
On Sunday, July 16, 2023, deputies initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, the officer could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and the driver, Candace Harrell, admitted to having small quantities of marijuana in the car. A search of the vehicle was conducted and additional quantities of suspected marijuana, suboxone tablets and methamphetamine were discovered. Candace Harrell was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana less than one ounce, possession of Scheduled III Controlled Substance, and possession of methamphetamine.
Later that night, deputies were inside the Circle K when a customer walking out of the store dropped a packet of mustard from his pocket. The officer got the attention of the customer to let him know and the customer retrieved the item and got into his vehicle. The deputy noticed that the customer did not purchase anything but had walked out with condiments so the officer approached the customer’s vehicle to investigate. The driver refused to exit the vehicle and stated he was scared for his life and attempted to leave the scene. The officer repeatedly gave commands for the driver to stop the vehicle because he was not free to go. The driver attempted to back out of the parking spot while the door was open and nearly knocked the deputy over. A struggle began for control of the vehicle, and after additional units arrived on scene, deputies were able to gain control of the driver and vehicle.
The driver, Stephen Sisson, admitted he shoplifted two cheeseburgers and condiments from the store and and was trying to get away. A search of the vehicle was conducted and the cheeseburgers, condiments, quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine were found in the car. Sisson was charged with theft by shoplifting, aggravated assault on a peace officer, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine and possession of drug related objects.
On Wednesday, July 19, 2023, drug investigators initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for traffic violation. The vehicle failed to yield to emergency sirens and lights and continued traveling to an unknown destination. The vehicle came to a stop several minutes later. The driver, Melinda Futral, and the passenger, Mandi Simmons, stated they didn’t pull over because they were on the phone with a rehab looking for directions. The occupants were removed from the vehicle after investigators detected the odor of marijuana. A search of the vehicle was conducted for any contraband. The driver and passenger were also searched and quantities of methamphetamine, illicit prescription medications and marijuana were found. Futral was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug related objects. Simmons was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug related objects.
On Thursday, July 20, 2023 at approximately 9:00 a.m. deputies and investigators received a call for service near Old Graham Road in reference to a burglary. Deputies found a female leaving the property with her hands painted white. Deputies conducted an investigation and discovered a crime scene where a lawn mower and barn had been recently painted white. The home owner was able to identify Melissa Clark as the offender. Deputies also located identification that was left at the scene belonging to Clark. Officers also found quantities of fentanyl and marijuana. Clark was arrested and charged with second degree burglary, possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana less than one ounce.
On Thursday, July 20, 2023 at approximately 11:00 a.m., criminal and drug investigators conducted a search of a residence in connection to a recent trespassing of a local business in Jeff Davis County. Investigators discovered firearms and evidence that led the arrest of Ashdyan Meeks. Charges include possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, tools of the crime, criminal trespass and probation violation.
On Friday, July 21, 2023 at approximately 4:00 p.m. deputies and drug investigators conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation. During the stop, drug investigators detected the odor of green marijuana coming from the vehicle. A search was conducted and quantities of marijuana and suspected cocaine were discovered. The driver, Gonzalo Ramirez, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana less than one ounce and possession of cocaine.
On Friday, July 21, 2023 at approximately 5:00 p.m. deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation. During the stop, the deputy detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. As the search of the vehicle was conducted and the driver admitted to marijuana being in the vehicle. The search resulted in the discovery of quantities of marijuana, fentanyl and illicit prescription tablet. Melinda Davison was arrested and charged with traffic citations and immediately posted bail. Warrants were later issued for Davison relating to this incident. Davison is now wanted for possession of fentanyl, possession of Schedule IV Controlled Substance, possession of marijuana less than one ounce and possession of drug related objects. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Melinda Sue Davison, please call the Jeff Davis Sheriff’s Office 912-375-6604.
On Friday, July 21, at approximately 6:15 p.m. drug investigators initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, the odor of marijuana was detected and investigators asked the driver if any marijuana was in the vehicle, the driver admitted there was. A search of the vehicle was conducted and large quantiles of marijuana were found. The driver, Donnie Hattaway, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
On Sunday, July 23, 2023 at approximately 11:00 p.m., deputies received a call in reference to a suspected aggravated assault with a gun. Deputies arrived at the incident location and made contact with the suspected offender, Vallorinzo Hill, and the victim, Cecil Howard. According to statements, the two were in an altercation about a $20 debt and allegedly that led to a gun being pointed at Howard and a shot being fired in his direction. Hill was asked by law enforcement to step outside so deputies could speak with him about the incident. As deputies questioned Hill, he decided he wanted to go inside the residence and shut deputies out. Against deputies’ orders, Hill quickly made his way back into his home and attempted to shut deputies out. Hill refused to comply with any orders given to him by law enforcement but deputies were able to secure Hill in hand restraints after a brief struggle in the living room. Deputies continued with the investigation and later discovered the firearm matching the description of the gun used by the offender and suspected drugs in Hill’s home.
Hill was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, pointing a pistol at another person, possession of firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana less than one ounce. The victim, Cecil Howard, was arrested for an outstanding warrant in Coffee County.