by Al Summers
News Editor
alsummers@timescourier.com
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After not being a part of the Gilmer County drug scene for quite some time, cocaine is once again showing up in arrests made by East Ellijay, Ellijay, and Gilmer County law enforcement officers.
The latest cocaine related arrest occurred last Thursday, Jan. 20, when East Ellijay officer Perry Branyon stopped a car on Yukon Road. Gilmer County deputies had received a lookout order on the vehicle and arrived just after Branyon stopped the vehicle, which was occupied by three males.
Gilmer deputies Misty Hensley and Jeremiah Chapman assisted Branyon in conducting a search of the vehicle, and discovered approximately 13 grams of suspected cocaine and some marijuana.
Arrested at the scene were Sean Michael Trice, 19, James Arthur Walker, 51, and Cedrick Young, 20, all from metro Atlanta. They were charged with distribution of crack cocaine, conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
Gilmer County detectives then descended on some apartments on Yukon Road to arrest Jeanie Elizabeth Blackstock, 39, Kristy Lynn Overstreet, 22, and Christopher Overstreet, 28. Blackstock was charged with possession of cocaine, as were the Overstreets. Christopher Overstreet was also wanted in Floyd County.
Gilmer County detectives also made arrests last Wednesday, Jan. 19, as the result of a burglary investigation. A statement released by Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Lt. Tim McArthur stated that Steven M. Johnson, 31, of Ellijay, was arrested and charged with five counts of theft by receiving stolen property, two counts of burglary, one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, three counts of false statement, one count of possession of drug related objects, one count of possession of methamphetamine, three counts of altering serial numbers, and one count of tampering with evidence.
Also arrested in connection with the investigation was Ronnie Charles Mathews. He was charged with one count of false statement, one count of drug related objects, one count of possession of methamphetamine, one count of internal possession of methamphetamine, one count of altering serial numbers, and one count of tampering with evidence.
During the execution of search warrants at locations on Hwy. 52 East, detectives discovered building materials, power tools, and other items that had previously been reported as stolen from various sites in Gilmer County. Methamphetamine was also discovered at both locations.
Gilmer County Detective R.T. Henry told the Times-Courier he expected more arrests to be made in connection with the burglary case, and Det. Lane Bennett of the Ellijay Police Department was to be commended for his assistance with the case.
Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson said, “The successful conclusion to these cases is a direct result of the cooperation between the sheriff’s department and the police departments of East Ellijay and Ellijay. Officers are alert and detectives have put in a tremendous amount of work to solve these cases. I am proud of their hard work, determination, and dedication.”