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Dawson man arrested for allegedly breaking child’s arm, leg

March 8, 2017, 8:13 am
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By: FCN Regional Staff
A Dawsonville man was arrested Tuesday on 18 felony charges including first degree cruelty to children after a toddler was found to have broken bones and other serious injuries. A Dawsonville woman was also arrested March 5 on four counts of cruelty to children after failing to seek medical care for her 18-month-old child. According to Dawson County Sheriff Jeff Johnson, Mitchell DeWayne Samples, 29, was arrested for allegedly causing cruel and excessive physical and mental pain by causing multiple injuries to an 18-month-old child. The child was found to have a broken arm, as well as a broken leg, according to Johnson. Samples is accused of maliciously causing bodily harm to the child by depriving the child the use of certain body parts, Johnson said. He is also accused of causing physical and mental pain to the child by neglecting obvious injuries and failing to seek medical attention. Samples was arrested on nine counts of first degree cruelty to children, seven counts of aggravated battery and two counts of second degree cruelty to children. All are felony charges. The child's mother was also arrested in connection to the incident. Amy Lynn King, 24, was arrested on three counts of second degree cruelty to children, all misdemeanor offenses, and one count of first degree cruelty to children, a felony offense. According to Johnson, King is accused of intentionally failing to obtain medical clearance for her 18-month-old child, intentionally failing to obtain medical care by instructing the child's caregiver not to seek medical care and failing to obtain medical care for the child after admittedly knowing there was something wrong with the child's arm. The felony charge stems from King being accused of causing excessive pain to her infant child by lancing blisters that were on the child's hands and feet, Johnson said. The sheriff said he could not comment on how the injuries were obtained. The child remained hospitalized as of Tuesday evening, according to Johnson. King and Samples are currently being held in the Dawson County jail without bond.
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Forsyth County Grandy Jury indictes two in car break-ins, thefts

March 10, 2017, 2:00 am
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By: Isabel Hughes
A Forsyth County Grand Jury recently indicted two Atlanta men on charges associated with a multi-county car break-in spree in September. Devante Morris, 18, and Javares Lanard Simmons, 21, were each indicted Feb. 13 on 14 counts of entering an automobile with intent to commit a theft, four counts of financial transaction card theft and three counts of theft by taking. The theft charges include the alleged stealing of a Chevrolet Malibu, a Glock 9mm handgun, multiple laptops and other electronic devices and at least four credit and debit cards within wallets and purses. According to incident reports, the men are supposedly responsible for about 30-40 car break-in cases around metro Atlanta, including Forsyth.On Sept. 20, Forsyth County deputies recovered some of the stolen property after executing a search warrant in Alpharetta. The men had been arrested four days earlier in Milton after reportedly stealing a Chevrolet Equinox and crashing it while attempting to flee law enforcement through Alpharetta and Milton. A Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office report said the warrant was executed “on the stolen 2010 Chevrolet Equinox that was involved in the multi-jurisdictional pursuit of our entering auto suspects from the Whittington subdivision in Forsyth County.”“While executing the search warrant, we were able to recover property from four cases from Whittington subdivision,” the report said. “The items included the Glock 17 9mm, laptop computers, iPads and iPods.” Deputies who interviewed Simmons said he “denied any involvement in any of the incidents.” Forsyth County Superior Court Judge David Dickinson will preside over both cases, for which no trial dates have been set.
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North Forsyth man indicted for 92 pounds of marijuana

March 10, 2017, 9:04 am
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By: Kayla Robins
NORTH FORSYTH – A north Forsyth man has been indicted for trafficking marijuana in connection to deputies finding a reported 92 pounds of the drug in a home. Norlan Gomez, who was 39 at the time of his arrest on Jan. 12, also faces one count each of felony manufacturing marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, according to a Feb. 13 Forsyth County Superior Court bill of indictment. The trafficking count, for which the street value was previously said to be about $239,000, is being charged as a serious felony. According to the report, the District Attorney’s Office said Gomez “did unlawfully possess more than 10 pounds,” “did knowingly manufacture” and “did knowingly possess with intent to distribute” the schedule-I drug. Narcotics detectives with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office conducted a drug search warrant at the Jot Em Down Road residence in January, where they found 126 plants, according to Deputy Doug Rainwater, a spokesman for the agency, at the time.“Along with the plants, we also found trash bags containing dried leafy materials suspected of being marijuana,” he told the Forsyth County News previously. Gomez apparently rented the house, according to previous reports. Forsyth County Superior Court Chief Judge Jeffrey S. Bagley is presiding over the case. Gomez pleaded not guilty on Feb. 21. Arraignment was scheduled for March 1, after which no trial or further hearings have yet been set.
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Wrong way driver indicted for traffic, drug charges

March 11, 2017, 2:00 am
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By: Kayla Robins
NORTH FORSYTH -- A Cumming man who reportedly attempted to flee law enforcement by driving on the wrong side of the road in north Forsyth late last year before crashing has been indicted for the incident, which includes charges of trafficking in methamphetamine for being found with 39 grams of the drug. Calvin Lee Blackstone, who was 36 at the time of the Dec. 5, 2016, accident, faces counts of trafficking in meth, possession of meth with intent to distribute, fleeing and attempting to elude, reckless driving, driving on a suspended license and tampering with evidence, according to a Feb. 13 bill of indictment in the Forsyth County Superior Court. Blackstone was reportedly driving near the intersection of Jot Em Down Road and Ga. 400 when a deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop for an equipment violation, according to Cpl. Pete Sabella, a spokesman for the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office at the time. According to previous reports, he began to accelerate when the deputy turned his blue lights on, reaching speeds of about 70 miles per hour on Crossroads Road. Blackstone is accused of “speeding, driving on the wrong side of the roadway and improperly passing vehicles,” according to indictment report. The tampering with evidence charge is related to the accusation that Blackstone threw about $2,000 worth of drugs from his vehicle during the pursuit. The chase came to a stop near the intersection of Hubbard Town and Hopewell roads after Blackstone crashed into a roundabout, jumped out of his car and attempted to flee on foot. Forsyth County Superior Court Judge David L. Dickinson is presiding over the case. An arraignment is scheduled for March 15.
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Woman finds peeping Tom in south Forsyth Kohl’s dressing room

March 14, 2017, 3:00 pm
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By: Isabel Hughes
SOUTH FORSYTH -- A Lawrenceville woman who was trying on clothes received a rude surprise after she found a man videotaping her in a dressing room last week at the Kohl’s in south Forsyth. Forsyth County deputies responded to the department store, which is located at 3630 Peachtree Parkway, on March 8 after the victim “observed an iPhone camera filming her from over the [dressing room’s] divider wall.” According to an incident report, after seeing the phone, the woman confronted the male, who reportedly fled through the store in an attempt to elude her. Before he got away, she was able to take a photo of him — “a heavy-set Indian male between 5’7” and 5’9”.” He had brown, salt-and-pepper hair and was wearing thick glasses and a black-and-white striped polo shirt, the report said. He also may have had an accomplice.“The suspect was communicating with [another man] and attempting to hide behind the other male,” the report said. “[The victim] observed that the two males made eye contact and both left the store while she was chasing them.” The other man is described as a medium-build Indian man with brown hair, though he is balding. Deputy Doug Rainwater, a spokesman for the sheriff’s office, said the case is still under investigation.
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Man who fled Cumming after double shooting indicted

March 15, 2017, 2:00 am
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By: Kayla Robins
A man who fled to Maryland while being wanted in connection with the shooting of two people at a residence in Cumming last year has been indicted for the incident. Ronald Eric Lofland, who was 47 at the time of the May 30, 2016, shooting, faces felony charges of family violence aggravated assault, aggravated assault, tampering with the operation of an electronic monitoring device and two serious felony counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, according to a Feb. 13 bill of indictment. The report indicates he made an assault with a handgun on his wife and a man who does not share their last name. Lofland was indicted on June 13, 2016 for separate domestic charges from January 2016 also involving his wife, for which he faces two counts of family violence aggravated assault and third-degree cruelty to children, according to another indictment report. The tampering with a monitoring device stems from Lofland reportedly removing the one he was wearing “as a condition of pretrial release.” Though the indictment does not mention a discharged firearm, in May, Lofland fled after reportedly shooting the adult male and female at a home on Darla Avenue off Tribble Gap Road, according to previous reports. Both victims survived their injuries. Lofland’s vehicle was found abandoned on the side of the road the next morning at the Buford Highway (Hwy. 20) interchange on Interstate-285 in Gwinnett County. He was detained by U.S. Marshals deputies a month later in Maryland. Forsyth County Superior Court Judge David L. Dickinson is presiding over the case, for which a trial has not been set.
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Guns stolen from firefighters’ vehicles at 3 west Forsyth stations

March 16, 2017, 7:35 am
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By: Isabel Hughes
WEST FORSYTH – Firefighters at three Forsyth County fire stations had their car windows smashed and personal firearms taken in an apparent string of burglaries Wednesday night. Around 7:30 a.m. Thursday morning, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office began receiving calls about the stolen items, according to Cpl. Pete Sabella, a spokesman for the agency.“So far, a total of six firearms were taken,” Sabella said. “Three separate fire stations were the victims of entering autos and a couple of vehicles were entered at each.” Station 3, which is located on Wallace Tatum Road, Station 4, which is on Evens Road at Canton Highway (Hwy. 20), and Station 7, which is on Highway 9, were targeted. Two stations in Alpharetta were also hit, though it was not immediately clear what was taken from those. This is not the first car break-in spree that has occurred at fire stations in Forsyth. In early January, five vehicles were broken into and three guns were stolen at Forsyth County Fire Station 10, which is located at 3860 Old Atlanta Road, near Lambert High School. The vehicles were entered sometime between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m., Fire Division Chief Jason Shivers said at the time. While deputies did not initially think the station was specifically targeted, less than a week later, firefighters in Gwinnett reported items stolen from their vehicles at several stations. It has not yet been determined whether there was any connection between the break-ins, and Sabella said it was not immediately known whether the sheriff’s office had arrested anyone in connection with the Station 10 break-in.
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Forsyth County Sheriff's Office searching for suspect on foot in south Forsyth

March 17, 2017, 8:23 am
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By: Kelly Whitmire
UPDATE: As of 1:30 p.m., the FCSO says new information indicates that the suspect may have been able to get a ride out of the area. Deputies are still patrolling the area near McFarland Road in south Forsyth. SOUTH FORSYTH—Forsyth County deputies are searching for a suspect on foot in south Forsyth. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a suspect described as a 6-foot-tall black male wearing a gray hoodie, red pants and white shoes in the area of Brandywine Circle near McFarland Parkway and Mullinax Road. Deputies have a perimeter in set up and are using a K9 unit to track the suspect. According to the FCSO, new evidence has shown the suspect was possibly able to get a ride out of the area. The suspect was last seen at the Wendy's restaurant on McFarland Parkway, possibly moving North through the woods. He is possibly trying to hitch a ride or borrow a phone to use. As of 1:15 p.m., he could possibly be around Walton Bluegrass apartments off of McFarland Parkway near Shiloh Road.  A Georgia State patrol helicopter was used in the search but has left the area due to fuel.  Dep. Doug Rainwater said deputies responded to the area after receiving a 911 call saying a car had been pulling up to mailboxes in the area and allegedly stealing mail. After a deputy attempted to pull the car over, the suspect fled and abandoned the car at a cul-de-sac while being pursued. Rainwater said a female passenger in the car was detained. Anyone who sees a person matching the description or with any other information should call 911. This story will be updated.
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Chestatee Academy teacher among suspects in $6M drug bust

March 17, 2017, 1:21 pm
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By: Gainesville Times
OAKWOOD -- Authorities seized more than $6 million worth of cocaine and heroin Thursday from a home on Crawford Oaks Drive in Oakwood. The Hall County Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad arrested two suspects, one of whom was a teacher at Chestatee Academy, while the third suspect is still at large. Monica Pascual Brito, 24, and Karla Alvarez, 28, both of Oakwood, were arrested and charged with trafficking and possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine and heroin. The two also face two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Authorities are still looking for Ricardo Pascual Brito, 25, of Gainesville, who faces the same charges. Alvarez has been a teacher at Chestatee since August 2015 and coached the middle school girls’ soccer team, according to Hall County Schools spokesman Gordon Higgins. Authorities executed a search warrant at a home in the 4000 block of Crawford Oaks Drive in Oakwood, reportedly finding 61 kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilogram of heroin and two semi-automatic assault rifles. The estimated value of the drugs totaled $6,209,280. The MANS unit was assisted by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Police, Georgia State Patrol and the Georgia National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. The Hall County School District is conducting an internal investigation into Alvarez and is working in cooperation with the sheriff’s office. Anyone with information on Ricardo Brito’s whereabouts is asked to call the sheriff’s office non-emergency dispatch at (770) 536-8812 or the warrants division at (770) 531-6907. The case is still under investigation.
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South Forsyth Kohl’s peeping Tom identified, arrested

March 22, 2017, 10:25 am
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By: Kayla Robins
SOUTH FORSYTH — A man suspected of recording a woman with his smartphone while she was in a Kohl’s dressing room in south Forsyth has been found and arrested. Daniel Zakkam, 39, of Duluth, has been charged with eavesdropping and surveillance/unlawful acts for the March 8 incident at the Kohl’s at 3630 Peachtree Parkway. The woman reportedly confronted Zakkam when she realized he was recording her from the dressing room next to her and was able to take a picture of him before he left the store, said Deputy Doug Rainwater, a spokesman for the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.“The public was able to identify the man, and detectives were able to confirm the identity,” Rainwater said. Zakkam was arrested at his home in Duluth March 22. Rainwater said he was taken into custody without incident. He is being held at the Forsyth County Jail. As of Wednesday afternoon, he had not posted his $5,610 bond.
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Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office seeking two suspects tied to west Forsyth car break-ins

March 23, 2017, 12:55 pm
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By: Kelly Whitmire
WEST FORSYTH— The Forsyth County Sheriff’s office is looking for two suspects tied to entering vehicles near Campground Road early Thursday morning. The sheriff’s office said the two suspects were seen by a resident carrying flashlights and wearing hoodies around 4:30 a.m. on Thursday in the Fox Creek neighborhood, which has entrances on Bentley and Campground Roads. The suspects were reportedly looking into a car on Fox Creek Drive. Eights vehicles have reported missing items, and others were entered but did not have missing items. Locked and unlocked vehicles were targeted. One car with a purse in the front seat had a broken window and the others were left unlocked. Officials said they did not receive a call when the crimes were being committed and were not alerted until about 8 a.m. The sheriff’s office said items such as sunglasses, iPods, cell phones, computers, book bags, purses, wallets and garage door openers are valuable items for thieves. Those with any information should call 911.
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$500K in pills seized in Hall County drug bust

March 23, 2017, 3:27 pm
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By: FCN Regional Staff
HALL COUNTY - Authorities found more than $500,000 worth of pills in a Hall County home March 14, according to authorities. The Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad is looking for two suspects charged with possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute. Authorities are asking for information on Venessa Chavira, 33, and Benjamin Plymale, 27, both of Gainesville. A search on Ridgewood Avenue residence in Gainesville reportedly led to 30,929 pills of more than 40 types, including alprazolam, morphine, amphetamine and others. The estimated street value for the drugs was $521,000. Alprazolam is commonly seen as Xanax. Anyone with information on Chavira’s or Plymale’s whereabouts is asked to call the narcotics squad at 770-531-6878, the 24-hour anonymous tip line at 770-531-6883, the Hall County warrant division at 770-531-6907 or the non-emergency dispatch at 770-536-8812.
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Surveillance to be boosted at Forsyth County fire stations after rash of break-ins

March 24, 2017, 3:49 am
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By: Kelly Whitmire
Forsyth County is taking measures to protect firefighters’ property after recent break-ins have plagued several stations. Forsyth County commissioners voted unanimously at a work session on Tuesday to authorize the Forsyth County Fire Department to use up to $300,000 in reserve funds to improve surveillance of parking lots. Fire Chief Danny Bowman said an expert in corporate security has made several safety recommendations.“They have recommended to me high resolution security cameras, enhanced exterior lighting, keycards swiped … security fencing where it is warranted,” Bowman said. District 4 Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills said she has spoken with Sheriff Ron Freeman about what the county could do to help and said the measure was “the least we can do.”“This came up due to all the break-ins that we seem to be having at our fire stations, putting our firefighter’s vehicles at risk,” Mills said. “I feel like they have enough to worry about. They shouldn’t have to worry about their vehicles being broken into.” Bowman said work with a security consultant could be done “possibly in the future.” Responding to a question from commissioners asking if firefighters might be able to bring firearms, which have been stolen from several of the stations, inside until the measures could be put in place, Bowman said he had spoken with the sheriff and “can’t make that recommendation.” Since January, numerous fire stations have been broken into in Forsyth County and metro-Atlanta.“I had a conversation with a couple of sheriff’s deputies about this and it is not unique to Forsyth County,” District 2 Commissioner Rick Swope said. “This seems to be something that is increasing across the board.” In January, five vehicles at Fire Station 10 on Old Atlanta Road were broken into overnight. Less than a week later, four current and one former station in Gwinnett were victims of similar overnight car break-ins. At the time, a Gwinnett police official said it was possible the incidents were related, but had no confirmation. Last week, vehicles at three west Forsyth fire stations, two in Alpharetta and one in downtown Dawsonville were victims of break-ins. Six firearms were taken from the Forsyth stations. The following night, 11 vehicles at Fire Station 1 near downtown Cumming were entered. Division Chief Jason Shivers said firefighters at the station were aware of the other break-ins and that 10 of the cars were left unlocked top prevent them from being smashed in. Firefighters also began leaving valuable items at home. While all of the cars were rummaged through, the only vehicle with its windows broken was locked, and a checkbook and cup full of change were stolen from the vehicles. No firearms were taken.
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One suspect at large, two arrested after car theft attempt in south Forsyth subdivision

March 27, 2017, 9:31 am
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By: Isabel Hughes
SOUTH FORSYTH – Two suspects were arrested and one remains at large after Forsyth County deputies thwarted an attempted car theft in a south Forsyth subdivision Monday morning. The encounter, which began in the Shakerag Farms subdivision, led to a multi-car chase by deputies that ultimately involved the Johns Creek Police Department. Though the suspects have not yet been identified, both are described as black males and one is 17 years old, according to Deputy Doug Rainwater, a spokesman for the sheriff’s office.“Somebody placed a 911 call around 5 a.m. in reference to someone trying to steal his car,” Rainwater said. “Our deputies were close and the first deputy responding passed the first [getaway] car coming out of subdivision, [identifying the suspect] based on the description the homeowner gave us.“A chase ensued over to Johns Creek, where the stolen car then crashed, and the driver got out and ran on foot into a creek area that was half water, half grass.” While the suspect temporarily got away, Rainwater said he was later arrested by a deputy who was patrolling Old Atlanta Road.“The deputy noticed a suspicious person covered up in mud and water as if he had been going up creeks all night,” Rainwater said. “The deputy put two and two together and arrested [him] for the stolen vehicle.” Rainwater said while the initial chase was occurring, another chase was initiated after a second responding deputy saw the second suspect attempting to leave the same subdivision.“Another responding deputy passed another car coming out of the subdivision, but that car then goes back into the subdivision and gets lost in the subdivision,” Rainwater said. “The deputy is chasing that guy and eventually the second stolen car takes out a few mailboxes trying to get back out of the subdivision, [ultimately] abandoning the car and running on foot.“Johns Creek [police] came out to assist with a K-9 unit.” A third suspect is likely escaped, Rainwater said, saying the sheriff’s office is confident he has left the county.“We are trying to identify the third person; we didn’t see him, just had information there was a third suspect involved,” he said. The two men arrested were allegedly driving stolen vehicles, though it was not immediately known what county the vehicles came from. Rainwater said the call and chase led deputies to a number of car break-ins around the subdivision, some smash-and-grabs and other thefts out of unlocked vehicles. The men arrested did not have weapons on them and the public is not in danger, and more information will be released at a later date. Follow ForsythNews.com for updates.
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Chestatee Academy teacher suspected in $6 million drug seizure resigns

March 28, 2017, 8:49 am
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By: FCN Regional Staff
A Chestatee Academy teacher submitted her resignation in lieu of termination after the Hall County Sheriff’s Office suspected her in a $6 million drug seizure. Karla Alvarez, 28, of Oakwood, had been on unpaid leave since her March 17 arrest, where she was charged with trafficking and possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine and heroin. The Hall County Board of Education accepted the resignation at its Monday meeting. Authorities searched a home in the 4000 block of Crawford Oaks Drive in Oakwood, where they reportedly found 61 kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilogram of heroin and two semi-automatic assault rifles. The drugs were reportedly worth $6,209,280. Monica Pascual Brito, 24, was also arrested and charged. Alvarez had been a teacher at Chestatee since August 2015 and coached the middle school girls soccer team, according to Hall County Schools. At the time of the arrests of Alvarez and Monica Brito, authorities said they were still looking for Ricardo Pascual Brito, 25, of Gainesville, who faces the same charges.
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Two teens charged in Monday's south Forsyth car thefts, pursuit

March 28, 2017, 10:59 am
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By: Isabel Hughes
SOUTH FORSYTH – Two teens were arrested Monday for reportedly stealing two cars from a subdivision in south Forsyth, leading deputies on a multi-county car chase. Seymour Demetrius Prather, 18, of Stockbridge, and Darnell Cedric Pressley, 19, of Atlanta, both face numerous charges, including theft of auto and entering autos. Additional charges are pending for the men, who are being held without bond at the Forsyth County Jail. The encounter with Forsyth County deputies, and later officers from Johns Creek Police Department, began in the Shakerag Farms subdivision, which is located off McGinnis Ferry Road.“Somebody placed a 911 call around 5 a.m. in reference to someone trying to steal his car,” said Deputy Doug Rainwater, a spokesman for the sheriff’s office. “Our deputies were close and the first deputy responding passed the first [getaway] car coming out of subdivision, [identifying Pressley] based on the description the homeowner gave us.“A chase ensued over to Johns Creek, where the stolen car then crashed, and [Pressley] got out and ran on foot into a creek area that was half water, half grass.” Pressley was apprehended quickly and transported to the jail, Rainwater said. While the initial chase was occurring, another chase was initiated after a second responding deputy saw Prather attempting to leave the same subdivision.“Another responding deputy passed another car coming out of the subdivision, but that car then goes back into the subdivision and gets lost,” Rainwater said. “The deputy is chasing that guy and eventually the second stolen car takes out a few mailboxes trying to get back out of the subdivision, [ultimately] abandoning the car and running on foot. He was later arrested on Old Atlanta Road by a deputy who was patrolling the area.“The deputy noticed a suspicious person covered up in mud and water as if he had been going up creeks all night,” Rainwater said. “The deputy put two and two together and arrested [him] for the stolen vehicle.” A third suspect was allegedly involved in the car thefts but got away, Rainwater said Monday.“We are trying to identify the third person; we didn’t see him, just had information there was a third suspect involved,” he said. Prather so far faces charges of entering autos and giving a false name, and additional charges may be added. He has no prior criminal history in Forsyth County. Darnell was charged with theft of auto, entering autos and fleeing and attempting to elude. He also faces property damage and traffic charges in Johns Creek and does have a prior arrest history, though none of his previous arrests were in Forsyth County.“Once [Darnell] takes care of bond here,” Rainwater said, “we’re going to call Johns Creek and they will come pick him up.”
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East Forsyth brothers arrested after fentanyl, LSD, other narcotics found in home

March 30, 2017, 7:44 am
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By: Kelly Whitmire
EAST FORSYTH – Two brothers have been accused of selling fentanyl and other narcotic drugs through an online business out of their home and were arrested after the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and federal agencies searched the east Forsyth residence. Zackary Christopher Berrong, 25, and Charles Trenton Berrong, 20, were arrested after a search warrant was executed on March 20 at a home on Pinecrest Place off Bald Ridge Marina Road, where authorities found suspected fentanyl, LSD, cathinone, diazepam and butylone. The brothers were allegedly buying the drugs in “large quantities” and selling them to customers through an online business, according to Deputy Doug Rainwater, a spokesman for the sheriff’s office. No bond has been issued, and both remained in the Forsyth County Jail as of Thursday morning. Both have been charged with three counts of possession of a schedule I controlled substance with intent to distribute, one count of possession of a schedule II controlled substance with intent to distribute, one count of possession of a schedule IV controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of drug related objects. Fentanyl is a strong opiate that has been linked to “many overdose deaths,” Rainwater said. He said a hazardous materials team searched the house due to safety concerns over the drug and “the risk of exposure to officers.” Most of the drugs were in powdered form, and several were described as research chemicals, or chemicals that mimic the effects of narcotics and are not meant to be consumed. Some non-illegal research chemicals were also found. FCSO worked with federal agencies, including the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations and Drug Enforcement Administration. An investigation remains open.
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Two arrested in south Forsyth after deputies witness meth deal

April 4, 2017, 10:33 am
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By: Isabel Hughes
SOUTH FORSYTH -- Two people have been charged with possession of methamphetamine after undercover narcotics deputies reportedly witnessed a drug deal in south Forsyth late Friday afternoon. Around 4:30 p.m. on March 31, deputies with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office narcotics unit were working on an unrelated assignment on McFarland Parkway when they saw what they recognized as a drug deal, according to Deputy Doug Rainwater, a spokesman for the agency. Lisa Papandrea, 49, of Forsyth County, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and brought to the Forsyth County Jail, where she has since posted an $11,100 bond. John Allen Wright, 56, whose last known address was not immediately available, was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and is currently being held at the jail without bond.“They just happened to be at the location and while they were doing something else, they witnessed a man sell meth to a female in plain view; it was a hand-to-hand transaction,” Rainwater said. “Because of what they do, they realized it was a drug deal taking place in their presence and they acted upon their experience and placed both under arrest.” Along with the meth, deputies recovered cash and drug packaging materials, though it was not immediately known how much meth was seized or how much money deputies obtained.
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Man shot, killed on MLK Jr. Boulevard in Gainesville

April 6, 2017, 9:41 am
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By: Gainesville Times
GAINESVILLE -- A man was shot to death Tuesday night on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Gainesville, police said. Dennis Ronald Gayton, 47, was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center but later died. Police responded to the incident around 9:30 p.m. near Athens Street, Gainesville Police Sgt. Kevin Holbrook said. Officers and police dogs searched the area around the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Carlton Street for suspects but did not locate any, Holbrook said.“(Gayton) was found in a vehicle behind the barber shop there,” he said. Police did not release any information on potential suspects. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Gainesville Police’s Criminal Investigations Division at (770) 534-5254.
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$1,000 in reptiles stolen from Gainesville pet store

April 6, 2017, 9:44 am
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By: Gainesville Times
GAINESVILLE -- Five reptiles — a lizard, three snakes and an iguana — worth roughly $1,000 were stolen from a Gainesville pet store last week. Ken Neidenbach, owner of Village Pets on Browns Bridge Road, said the store was burgled between Friday night and Saturday morning.“(The manager) happened to notice some sand on the floor,” the owner said. In the back of the store, Neidenbach said three red-tailed boas, an iguana and a Savannah monitor were taken from their enclosures.“They never touched the register,” the owner said. “They knew what they were going to steal.” With a boa costing $250, Neidenbach estimated a $1,000 loss of reptiles. Neidenbach, who has been in the pet business since 1969, said he’s faced similar thefts countless times.“I figure they probably sold them for drug money,” he said, adding that another reason might be selling to another pet store. According to the Gainesville Police report, there was no forced entry into the pet store.“The officer thought they had tried to jimmy the door, but they went ahead and picked the lock,” he said. Weeks earlier, Neidenbach said two bearded dragons were stolen from his store. A sign in the store addressed the past theft.“Whoever stole the two juvy bearded dragons I hope you enjoy them! You have to account to the same creator as me! So I hope you don’t have to burn in hell!,” the sign reads, with the last sentence highlighted.
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