James Michael Stafford - Taken into Custody

GCSO JAMES MICHAEL STAFFORD HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY THE GILMER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AFTER HE WAS TRACKED BY OUR K-9 DAISY in the Pleasant Hill area.

We will post more specific details later.


Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson recently declared James Michael Stafford as “Gilmer’s Most Wanted Person.” The developments that led Stafford to being currently wanted on two counts of Aggravated Assault and one count of Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm came about during the processing of the crime scene of the shooting that occurred on Sunday, February 10, 2013 at 573 Simmons Drive. Although deputies and GBI agents have continuously been looking for Stafford since the day of the shooting, they have done so in a manner as to not put “dangerous pressure” on Stafford. Sheriff Nicholson states,

“On Sunday, February 17th, an attempt was made to take Stafford into custody when he eluded in a vehicle and attempted to run over one of my deputies which will result in additional charges.”

Sheriff’s deputies and GBI agents have been searching the area between Pleasant Gap Church Road and Pleasant Hill Road since this past Sunday and they currently believe Stafford to be on foot. The related arrest of Tanner Burnell, brother of the female shooting victim, occurred Sunday, February 17th after Burnell assisted Stafford by providing him with a vehicle.