Categories: FeaturedNews

Gilmer Sheriff’s Office Foil Possible Plot Against Gilmer County Courthouse

***UPDATE***
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office Detectives investigated a Burglary of a residence off of Ga Hwy. 282 in the fall of 2015. During this burglary, numerous firearms were taken. Their investigation resulted in obtaining six (6) arrest warrants for TRAVIS THOMAS, age 23, charging Thomas with Theft by Receiving Stolen Property. Detectives had not been able to get Thomas in custody as he had left the state.

On Saturday, March 19, 2016, Deputies received information that Thomas was in the area. Further, they received information that he was possibly using methamphetamine heavily and that he had intentions of blowing up the Gilmer County Courthouse. Deputies, Detectives, and DNR were able to track Thomas down and take him into custody without incident.

During the day, Deputies and Detectives contacted agents with the Zell Miller Mountain Parkway Drug Task Force (ZMMPDTF) as they were receiving information in regards to a possible methamphetamine trafficking operation. Ultimately, they were able to obtain a Search Warrant for a residence off of Clear Creek Road.

Upon executing the warrant, approximately a ½ pound of methamphetamine was seized. Officers also located some items resembling pipe bombs. Based on the association of the suspects involved and the information that Thomas had intentions of blowing something up; the officers called the GBI Bomb Squad (EOD). The items were cleared and were determined NOT to be explosives. The residents of the Clear Creek Road address, JOSEPH CAIN, age 26, and KIERA MORGAN, age 30, were arrested for methamphetamine trafficking.

Sheriff Nicholson stated “This has turned out to be a very substantial investigation. We took the Courthouse threat very serious. My Detectives were able to validate that Travis Thomas did have ammonia nitrate buried at a location. I can promise you that whatever his purpose for that was, it wasn’t to grow corn. As always, I am extremely proud of the diligent work my ‘guys’ did on this case.”

Information from the GCSO FB page.

Initial release from the GCSO:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pursuant to information received on Saturday regarding an individual allegedly involved in drug trafficking and possibly being in possession of explosives, the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation and ultimately made an arrest.

During a search of a residence on Clear Creek Road on Sunday morning, GCSO deputies and detectives located suspicious items that prompted them to contact the GBI Bomb Squad for assistance. The items locatedturned out not to be explosives.

More information will be released as it becomes available.

~Sheriff Stacy Nicholson

Staff Writer Regional

View Comments

  • Great Job Fellas! One less criminal out on the streets who threatened to create damage along the lines of Terrorism. This individual has contributed to the drug problem already existing and is not a "Productive Member of Society." The only sunlight he should see is through bars.

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