by Al Summers
News Editor
alsummers@timescourier.com
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Gilmer County Sheriff’s deputies, investigators, and agents from the Zell Miller Mountain Parkway Drug Task Force (DTF) were busy last week and last weekend taking methamphetamine off the streets and arresting those responsible for making it available.
As part of an ongoing investigation, Gilmer investigators and DTF agents arrested five different people Friday, March 11, all involving methamphetamine and some involving marijuana.
Arrested were: Terri Lynn Capehart, age unavailable, was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; David Isaac Levine, 27, who was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of an ounce or less of marijuana; Lisa Jean Cochran, 35, who was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and weaving over the roadway; Kristy Lynn Ward, 28, who was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of an ounce or less of marijuana; and Caleb Lamar Ballew, 28, and charged with possession of methamphetamine.
During routine patrol Saturday night, March 12, Deputy Harold Patterson conducted a traffic stop and made three drug arrests. Arrested were: Amanda Leigh Kernea, 19, and charged with the unlawful purchase, possession, or having control of a controlled substance; Jeffrey Scott Knox, 18, and charged with carrying a concealed weapon (first offense) and possession of a controlled substance or marijuana; and Matthew Gideon York, 30, and charged with possession of a controlled substance or marijuana, violation of parole, and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
The amount of drugs confiscated from the vehicle was just under the amount deemed to be enough for a drug trafficking charge. The substance is suspected to be crystal methamphetamine and has a street value of around $1,400.
Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson said he was grateful for the assistance he received from other law enforcement agencies and was pleased that more illegal drugs were taken off the streets.