A pound and a half of Meth found in single car traffic stop
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.
Sheriff highlights quarter of a million dollars in illegal drugs siezed
News July 28, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Recent highlights have shown major steps in our county by the Sheriff’s Office and cooperating agencies and agents with cases like the recent arrest of a wanted member of the Ghost Face gang to arrests made after Gilmer Deputies uncovered the murder of a woman in Cherry Log.
Today, the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Stacy Nicholson released information pertaining towards the seizure of illegal drugs, guns, and operations in the county. Totaling a quarter of a million dollars, this number is only made more alarming to know that it is only the total amount captured in the first half of 2021.
Sheriff’s deputies and agents of the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Operation have reported the majority of captures as Methamphetamines, a drug that has been a problem for Gilmer County for years. Along with the information, they listed many of their seizures and the dates of occurrence:
Jan. 7 – 3.5 gr Meth
Jan. 13 – 3.5 gr Meth
Feb. 21 – 6.8 gr Meth
Feb. 24 – 22 gr Meth
Feb. 24 – 1 oz. Marijuana
Mar. 1 – Meth
Mar 11 – 10 gr Heroin
Mar. 17 – 8 gr Heroin, Meth, Ecstacy
Mar. 23 – 32 gr Meth, 31 gr Marijuana, 25 Schedule IV pills, $1,800 Cash
Mar. 30 – Dismantled “chop shop” operation
Apr. 1 – 1 gr Meth, 30 oz. Marijuana
Apr. 17 – 3.5 gr Meth, 28 Schedule IV pills
May 20 – 14 gr Heroin 4 gr Meth, firearms, 4 gr Meth, 20 THC vapes
May 28 – 40 Ecstasy pills
May 29 – 7 gr Heroin
June 3 – 8 Ecstasy pills, Firearms
June 8 – 3 oz. Meth, 1 oz. Heroin (along with West Metro/Fulton Co.)
June 11 – 167.1 gr Meth, 94.2 gr Heroin (along with GSP/Fannin Co.)
June 12 – 3.5 gr Meth, 5 gr Heroin
June 21 – 3.5 gr Meth
June 28 – 1 kilo Meth, 3 gr Heroin
July 7 – 1 lb. Marijuana, 1 kilo Meth
July 16 – 1.38 lb Meth, 6 gr Heroin
According to the Sheriff, this is not an exhaustive list. During their release “from the desk of the Sheriff,” Nicholson states, “This post highlights some of the more significant drug cases that GCSO Detectives, Crime Suppression Unit (CSU), K9 Deputies and Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement (ARDEO) Agents have made for the first half of 2021. This doesn’t include all cases made, however it does highlight the more significant ones.”
Another point to think about is that this is the amount they seized, continuing operations still have more and more drugs circulating through the streets.
During these operations alone, 33 people have been arrested. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, a study in 2018 showed 67,367 deaths by overdose in Georgia alone. According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, 2020, a year with most people at home in isolation and quarantine, Gilmer County alone saw 534 Emergency Department visits over the year related to Drug Overdose specifically. That number is only those who made it to the Emergency Room to be treated.
Many others offer alternative stories. Stories like a boy who overdosed on his own couch, and rather than call 911 to get help, his friend leaves him to die so he doesn’t get caught with the drugs.
Gilmer Sheriff’s Office reports arrest of “Ghost Face” member Jeremy Kelley
News, Videos July 26, 2021
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer County is reporting the arrest of a gang member tonight. Gilmer County is no stranger to the Ghost Face gang name. With ties all over, news reports have followed arrests of these gang members from Augusta to counties in South Carolina and more. The Zell Miller Mountain Parkway Drug Task Force has had previous run-ins with the gang as have Sheriff Departments like Gilmer. Tonight, Gilmer Sheriff Stacy Nicholson and the Sheriff’s Office are reporting the arrest of Jeremy Kelley in East Ellijay.
According to their release, “On Friday morning, July 16, 2021, Sheriff Stacy Nicholson was contacted by the Stephens County, GA Sheriff in reference to Jeremy Kelley. Sheriff Shirley explained to Sheriff Nicholson that Kelley was being sought for Burglary and Auto Theft in Gwinnett County. Further, Roswell Police Dept., who had encountered Kelley earlier in the week, had multiple charges for Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer and other charges related to an incident when they tried to apprehend Kelley.”
A resident of Stephens County, Kelley has been wanted by that Sheriff’s office for some time. During their search, Stephens County received information that he was possibly in a Gilmer County hotel.
Additionally, Kelley was believed to be traveling with a female by the name of Stephanie Summers. Gilmer’s release stated that Sheriff Shirley provided Sheriff Nicholson with pictures and a description of a possible vehicle the two might be traveling in.
With the two counties in cooperation, Gilmer County deputies responded to the information traveling to the Comfort Inn & Suites in East Ellijay. Sheriff Nicholson also personally responded alongside the county’s deputies during the operation.
Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson
Their release states, “As Sheriff Nicholson rode by the Comfort Inn & Suites in East Ellijay to check for the described vehicle, he saw who he thought to be Kelley standing in the parking lot.”
While the suspect re-entered the building, the reports states that authorities watched the parking lot nearly an hour before the individual, believed to be Kelley, re-appeared. As the deputies moved in to approach the individual, authorities say that he fled on foot. Giving chase, they followed him to the back side of the Comfort Inn & Suites and apprehended him. At that time, authorities positively identified the suspect as Jeremy Kelley.
After a Search Warrant was obtained for the hotel room, authorities located over a pound of Methamphetamine and other illegal narcotics. Reports also indicated they located heroin, but only stated a “trafficking amount” for the size. Gilmer Sheriff’s Office also apprehended items that had been reported stolen from Gwinnett County.
Authorities have also taken Stephanie Summers into custody, charging her with “Hindering the Apprehension of a Fugitive.”
Sheriff Nicholson states, “I want to commend my Deputies for a great job of safely and effectively taking a serious drug-dealing Ghost Face gang member off the streets, and I am just glad I was able to get knee deep in the action.”
Ellijay man arrested in North Carolina on drug charges, wanted by GBI
News July 2, 2020
ELLIJAY, Ga. – The Cherokee County, North Carolina, Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the arrest of a man from the Ellijay area in relation to drug charges. Shirley was wanted in connection to the massive drug bust with gang ties that took place last week in Pickens County.
According to the incident report, Cherokee County Deputies arrested Tracy Shirley, 47, after finding narcotics in his possession. He was arrested Monday, June 29, 2020, at 9:41 p.m. near the city of Murphy, North Carolina.
The incident report stated that authorities began surveillance on a vehicle operated by Shirley on June 27, 2020, two days earlier. A later press release from the Sheriff’s Office stated that they conducted an investigation into Shirley, determining that he was returning to Cherokee County with an additional amount of methamphetamine to sell. From surveillance of Shirley, they caught up with him in the Wolf Creek area. At the time of the stop, Shirley collided with a Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office vehicle and a residence. Reports indicate that no one was hurt in the collision.
Also noted as seized property with the arrest was a Red Lexus vehicle. The arrest came after charges indicate they found Shirley in possession of methamphetamine.
Currently being held at the Cherokee Detention Center according to the reports, Shirley faces charges of Conspiring to Traffic Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Resisting Public Officers, and Injury to Real Property among others.
He is also facing a probation violation in Fannin County as the report says, “Probation violation, second-degree burglary, theft by taking out of Fannin.”
His first court date is set for July 9, 2020, in Cherokee, North Carolina. According to Cherokee’s website, Shirley has bond set for the charges totaling $275,000.
A press release from Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the June 28, 2020 arrest of Tracy Ev Shirley, a 47-year-old male from Ellijay Georgia, Miranda Kathaleen Gibson, a 29-year-old female from White County, Georgia, and the June 29, 2020 arrest of 41-year-old, Travis Bateman of Andrews, North Carolina for violations of the North Carolina Controlled Substance laws.
The releases stated, “During the month of June 2020 Investigators with the Cherokee County North Carolina Sheriff’s Office received information from Investigators in North Georgia Counties that Tracy Shirley was involved in a large scale distribution operation of illegal drugs and was presently distributing the drugs in Cherokee County North Carolina. Additionally, information supplied was that Shirley was wanted and was presently a fugitive from justice.”
Travis Bateman
From additional information obtained in the investigation, Travis Bateman was identified as a co-conspirator in the distribution operation in Cherokee County. In a search of a residence that Bateman had been occupying in the Ranger Community to distribute methamphetamine, several marijuana plants were found growing as well as other illegal controlled substances.
Tracy Ev Shirley was charged with CONSPIRE TO TRAFFIC METHAMPHETAMINE X 2, POSSESS METHAMPHETAMINE, MAINTAIN PLACE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, RESISTING PUBLIC OFFICER, INJURY TO REAL PROPERTY, EXTRADITION/FUGITIVE OTHER STATE, The North Carolina Magistrate set a $275,000.00 secure bond. Shirley is currently in the Cherokee County Detention Center awaiting a Cherokee County District Court date on July 09, 2020 for his initial hearing.
Miranda Kathaleen Gibson was charged with CONSPIRE TO TRAFFIC METHAMPHETAMINE, POSSESS METHAMPHETAMINE, POSSESS MARIJUANA UP TO 1/2 OZ. The North Carolina Magistrate set a $150,000.00 secure bond. Gibson is currently in the Cherokee County Detention Center awaiting a Cherokee County District Court date on July 09, 2020 for her initial hearing.
Travis Bateman was charged with POSSESS SCHEDULE I CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, SIMPLE POSSESSION SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, SIMPLE POSSESSION SCHEDULE V CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, CONSPIRE TRAFFIC METHAMPHETAMINE, POSSESSION OF FIREARM BY FELON, MAINTAIN PLACE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, POSSESS METHAMPHETAMINE, MANUFACTURE MARIJUANA, FELONY POSSESSION MARIJUANA. The North Carolina Magistrate set a $75,000.00 secure bond. Bateman is currently in the Cherokee County Detention Center awaiting a Cherokee County District Court date on July 09, 2020 for his initial hearing.
Miranda Gibson
This is not the only arrests seen recently from what authorities are calling “Operation the Real McCoy.” Pickens County has also seen new arrests and drug seizures as a part of this operation.
FROM THE DESK OF THE SHERIFF – Crime Suppression Unit
News, Police & Government January 30, 2020
FROM THE DESK OF THE SHERIFF
On June 1, 2019 the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office created a new unit for the purpose of proactive
crime suppression with an emphasis on violent felons, drug activity, and high priority warrants.
The Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) targets specific areas of the county where statistics and citizen
complaints show a higher level of criminal activity. This unit was created to support the Uniform
Patrol Division while they answer calls for service from the community.
The creation of this unit has benefited the community greatly in its efforts to proactively target
Gilmer County’s worst offenders. The Crime Suppression Unit, in conjunction with the Criminal
Investigations Division and the Uniform Patrol Division, has worked together to solve many cases.
I am pleased to offer the following stats generated by the Crime Suppression Unit over the past
seven months: CSU has seized five pounds of meth on combined cases and has given information
to other jurisdictions that resulted in an additional nine pounds of meth being seized. They have
seized $11,000 in currency, recovered three stolen vehicles, seized 35 weapons and made and/or
assisted in 58 arrests, most of which were felony offenders.
I would like to encourage the community to contact the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office Criminal
Investigations Division to report any activity in their area they feel is suspicious. To speak with a
CSU member call 706-635-4646 or dial 911 if you have an emergency.
Two more Ghost Face arrests in Gilmer County
News January 11, 2020
Anthony Joe “AJ” Starks, age 29.
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – Two more arrests have been verified relating to the Ghost Face gang after Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson offered the following Press Release.
On Thursday, January 9, 2020, Sheriff’s Deputies, U.S. Marshals, and State Probation Officers made two additional arrests in an ongoing methamphetamine trafficking and gang and terrorism investigation.
The first arrest was ANTHONY JOE “AJ” STARKS, age 29, in the Pleasant Valley Road area of Gilmer County. Starks was wanted for a probation violation. Upon his arrest, three illegally modified “sawed off” long guns were found. Starks will be charged in addition with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of an Illegal Weapon, Possession of Methamphetamine, Gang and Terrorism Act and Obstruction of an Officer.
Glenn Cleveland Callahan, age 39.
The second arrest was GLENN CLEVELAND CALLAHAN, age 39, in the 3000 block of Hwy. 382 in Gilmer County. Callahan will be charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine. Deputies are still looking at the possibility of Gang and Terrorism Act violations.
14.110 ounces of methamphetamine were seized, an estimated street value of $20,000.
Both Starks and Callahan have been validated by the Department of Corrections as being affiliated with the Ghost Face Gang.
Sheriff Nicholson states, “The excellent relationship between the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, Dept. of Corrections (Community Supervision), and the U.S. Marshals Service Task Force is paying great dividends. I appreciate the work my deputies, along with K-9 Novak, are doing and the cooperation they are receiving from the Marshals Service and DOC.”
Traffic stop finds a quarter of a kilogram in drugs
News, Police & Government March 22, 2019
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer authorities are reporting today that a routine traffic stop led to much more as officers and a K-9 unit discovored almost a quarter of kilo of what they suspect to be Methamphetamine.
Officers have taken two men into custody earlier this week when officials say that officers noticed the truck, turned on their lights, and proceeded to follow the vehicle before finally getting it to stop.
The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office has released the following information:
On Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at approximately 1937 hours, Deputies from the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a green Ford Ranger for an expired tag, defective equipment, busted windshield, and tire requirements on Mountaintown Road. The green Ford Ranger failed to stop for Deputies and threw a brown plastic grocery bag out of the vehicle. Once Deputies got the vehicle stopped, Mr. Richard Drennon Sanford, age 63, and Mr. Charles Leon Hollifield, age 53, were taken into custody.
Deputies then deployed a K-9 for an open air sniff of the vehicle. The K-9 alerted on the vehicle. A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed the following: a clear plastic Ziploc bag containing a white crystal substance (suspected methamphetamine), a set of black digital scales with residue, hypodermic syringes, a food vacuum sealer with vacuum sealing bags that were cut.
A search incident to arrest of the suspects revealed that Mr. Sanford had $7,413 in U.S. currency, and Mr. Hollifield had a small amount of marijuana along with $998 in U.S. currency. The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office seized the $8,411 in U.S. currency.
Deputies conducted a search of the area and recovered the brown plastic grocery bag that was thrown from the vehicle. The bag contained six vacuumed-sealed bags containing a white crystal substance (suspected methamphetamine) that weighted approximately 223.4 grams (7.880 oz.’s).
Mr. Sanford is charged with the following: V.G.C.S.A. Trafficking (Methamphetamines), V.G.C.S.A. with Intent to Distribute (Methamphetamines), V.G.C.S.A. (Methamphetamines), Drug E Related Objects, No Seat Belt, Expired Tag, Defective Equipment, Littering, Tampering with Evidence, Open Container of Alcohol, Fleeing and Attempting to Elude, Reckless Driving, and Driving on the wrong side of the road.
Mr. Hollifield is charged with the following: V.G.C.S.A. Trafficking (Methamphetamines), V.G.C.S.A. with Intent to Distribute (Methamphetamines), V.G.C.S.A. (Methamphetamines), Drug Related Objects, No Seat Belt, Littering, Tampering with Evidence, and Possession of Marijuana less than 1 oz.
Drug Investigation Continues With 13 Arrests
News September 7, 2017
ELLIJAY, GA – According to the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, an ongoing investigation into a local “drug network” has brought 13 new arrests.
Gilmer deputies worked alongside agents of the Zell Miller Mountain Parkway Drug Task Force and other entities to perform the arrests warrants yesterday, September 6. The charges currently stand as Conspiracy to Violate the Ga Controlled Substances Act and Use of a communication device to facilitate a drug transaction. Those arrested include Eddie Adame, Brittany Alexander, Charles Bentjen, Ethan Bradburn, Dakota Burgess, David Cates, April Defoor, Tonya Garrett, Joseph Mann, Daniel Rittenberry, Brandon Sanford, Todd Stewart, and Bryson Timms.
When questioned about the arrests, Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson stated it was an “extremely good job by the drug task force with the investigation they have done.” These arrest come on the heels of 5 other recent arrests by the task force. Nicholson also told FYN the continued arrests are prime examples of the teamwork between the local counties and the task force.
FYN further questioned Sheriff Nicholson on his deputy’s role in the investigation’s success, to which he replied, “I attribute a lot of the success of this investigation to three things; hard work by the drug task force, the additional man power assigned to the task force by the Pickens,Gilmer, and Fannin Sheriff’s Offices, and last, but not least, the free flow of drug information that has come about in the last couple of months, not in light of, but after some untimely deaths in which drug use was involved.”
Be sure to read the full press release below:
September 7, 2017
The investigation of a methamphetamine distribution “network” continues.
Agents of the Zell Miller Mountain Parkway Drug Task Force, along with deputies from Gilmer, Pickens and Fannin County Sheriffs’ Offices, officers from Ellijay and Jasper Police Dept, Probation Officers and DA’s Investigators conducted a “round-up” operation on Wednesday, Sept. 6th, serving arrest warrants on individuals involved in the ongoing methamphetamine investigation. Thirteen (13) individuals were taken into custody. These individuals have been charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Ga Controlled Substances Act and Use of a communication device to facilitate a drug transaction.
Those charged are: Eddie Adame, Brittany Alexander, Charles Bentjen, Ethan Bradburn, Dakota Burgess, David Cates, April Defoor, Tonya Garrett, Joseph Mann, Daniel Rittenberry, Brandon Sanford, Todd Stewart (Pickens) and Bryson Timms.
At the time of this release, no bond has been set and they remain in jail.
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Drug Task Force Arrests Four in Month Long Investigation
News August 21, 2017
ELLIJAY, GA – At this time, FYN can confirm the arrests of four individuals in relation to an investigation by the Zell Miller Mountain Parkway Drug Task Force.
Crystal Norton, Russell Scoggins, Benji Sanford and Rusty Marshall have all been arrested. As a recent press release from the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office states, charges among the four range from drug possession to RICO violations. According to Justice.gov, RICO, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act, states “It is unlawful for anyone employed by or associated with any enterprise engaged in, or the activities of which affect, interstate or foreign commerce, to conduct or participate, directly or indirectly, in the conduct of such enterprise’s affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity or collection of unlawful debt.”
The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office has made the following Press Release, but after several attempts to obtain the booking reports for those arrested, FYN is still awaiting reply for our Open Records Requests.
On August 18, 2017 at approximately 5:36 am, agents of the Zell Miller Mtn Parkway Drug Task Force and deputies from Gilmer and Pickens counties executed a search warrant at the residence of Crystal Norton off of Forestry Dr in Ellijay. During the execution of the search warrant, approximately 40 grams of methamphetamine and 33 xanax pills were seized.
Later that day, a consent search was conducted at the residence of Russ Scoggins off of River Hill Rd. During this search, approximately 5 grams of marijuana was seized.
These searches were pursuant to a several month long investigation by the ZMMPDTF into methamphetamine and prescription pills distribution.
The following individuals have been arrested in connection with this investigation: Crystal Norton, Russell Scoggins, Benji Sanford and Rusty Marshall.Charges range from the possession of the drugs located during the searches to Conspiracy to VGCSA, RICO and use of a communication device to commit crimes.
Joint Effort Nets Gilmer County’s Largest Methamphetamine Bust
News August 14, 2017
Gilmer County, GA
In a joint effort by the Gilmer Sheriff’s Office, Zell Miller Mtn Parkway Drug Task Force, the Ga Dept of Community Supervision (Probation/Parole) and Pre-trial probation officer Larry Clemens, officers netted the largest Methamphetamine bust in Gilmer history.
On Wednesday, August 9, information during an investigation led officers to a residence on the upper end of Big Creek Rd where Joey David Abernathy resided.
During a search of the residence, a “kilo” ( 2.2 pounds) of methamphetamine was discovered. Abernathy was taken into custody for Trafficking Methamphetamine and probation violation.
Sheriff Stacy Nicholson stated he attributes this arrest to three things: team effort, probation officer Larry Clemens having his “ear to the ground” and the recent man power increase of the drug task force. (All three sheriff’s associated with ZMMPDTF have recently detached an employee to the existing man power effectively doubling its personnel.)
Arrest Made in River Hill Shooting
News July 26, 2017
CHERRY LOG, GA – According to recent information from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), an arrest has been made in relation to the shooting death of Charles Patrick Thurman, 26, of Ellijay.
Brenton Thaddeus Pastuzka, 27, of Ellijay, was arrested earlier today, July 26, on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. The GBI has stated the charges are a direct result of the investigation of the death, but the investigation is still continuing onward.
The GBI’s full news release states:
On Thursday, July 20, 2017 at approximately 4:00 AM, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested by the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a death investigation. At approximately 3:30 AM, a 911 call for assistance in reference to a shooting was received by the Gilmer County 911 Center. Deputies responded to a location near River Hill Rd. where they found Charles Patrick Thurman, 26, of Ellijay, deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. The person responsible for shooting Thurman has been identified. The shooting appears to be the result of a domestic dispute.
On Wednesday, July, 26, 2017, Brenton Pastuszka, 27, of Ellijay, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. These charges were taken as a result of the investigation into the shooting death of Charles Patrick Thurman. Pastuszka was the other person involved in the domestic dispute which resulted in Thurman’s death. The investigation is still ongoing. Upon the completion of the investigation it will be submitted to the District Attorney for review and prosecution.
Check out FYN’s previous information on the Shooting Death in “Alleged Murder in Gilmer County” and “GBI Issues Statement on Shooting Death.”
Meth Arrest at Burger King in Gilmer County
Featured Stories, News April 15, 2015
Agents with the Zell Miller Mountain Drug Task Force make arrest at Burger King in East Ellijay, GA. (more…)
GMFTO Gilmer County 4.15.15
Featured Stories, News April 15, 2015
Good Morning from the Office! N. Ga’s only LIVE ONLINE NEWSCAST! Watch LIVE 7am M-F @ FetchYourNews.com! BKP Covers Gilmer County News! A little “Breaking Bad” right here in Ellijay? (more…)
Hendricks Talks Office at Popcorn and Politics
Featured Stories, Politics June 14, 2012
At a lunch-time gathering last week, District Attorney Joe Hendricks had the opportunity to discuss the DA’s Office with his constituents at the June installment of the Popcorn and Politics program. (more…)
Methamphetamine Dealer Intercepted in Gilmer County
Featured Stories, News November 22, 2011
ZMMP DTF Commander Brandon Owens has released information regarding an investigation that has led to trafficking charges. On Monday, November 21, 2011, DTF Agents and Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office deputies intercepted a mid-level methamphetamine dealer in Gilmer County. (more…)
Sam Olens on Methamphetamines in Georgia & ObamaCare’s Effect on Business
News March 23, 2011
The last question to Mr. Olens was a two part one first addressing the methamphetamine problem in Georgia and second concern on where business owners stood in regards to the health care mandates of Obama care. (more…)