Lumpkin County Man Charged with Forgery
Community, Police & Government October 11, 2022
Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced today that Ernest Warren, 48, of Dahlonega, has been charged with two counts of forgery.
In October 2020, our Criminal Investigations Division received a report of suspected fraud from a representative of IAT Insurance, claiming that Mr. Warren submitted by email two forged surety bonds to ER Snell, Inc. so that he could secure contracts for two road work projects.
“Upon investigation, special agents determined that the surety bonds submitted to ER Snell, Inc. were falsified,” said Commissioner King. “An interview with the company’s general counsel and upper management further confirmed that Mr. Warren was a contractor who did traffic signal work for their company, and they indeed received the two forged surety bonds.”
Warrants were taken out against Mr. Warren for two counts of Forgery on September 29th, 2022.
Ralston calls for GBI investigation into Fulton County elections
Featured News, Featured Stories July 16, 2021
ATLANTA, Ga – Elected officials are taking aim and Fulton County and its elections director Richard Barron, following new details regarding the 2020 election.
Today, Speaker of the House David Ralston (R – Blue Ridge) released the letter he sent to Fulton Elections Director Richard Barron. In the letter, Ralston requests Barron ask the GBI to investigate November 2020 election. He cited the mounting allegations against Fulton County as his reasoning behind the need for an investigation.
Georgia Speaker of the House of Representatives David Ralston
“Recently, media reports have surfaced which call into question the way in which Fulton County conducted, counted and audited the November 2020 Presidential Election. These reports have been accompanied by video and other evidence which is part of on-going litigation and requires thorough examination and explanation. Given the seriousness of this situation and the possible repercussions for our state and nation, it is time we have an independent investigation – once and for all – of the way in which Fulton County conducted, counted and audited the November 2020 Presidential Election,” Ralston wrote.
Raffensperger calls for Barron’s firing
Throughout the week, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R-Ga) has issued several tweets, and last month, he held a press conference in front of headlines concerning Fulton’s lengthy history of election problems.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger
Most recently, a report of the double-counting of 200 absentee ballots came to light after the new voting law made it public.
“Fulton County’s continued failures have gone on long enough with no accountability. Rick Barron and Ralph Jones, Fulton’s registration chief, must be fired and removed from Fulton’s elections leadership immediately. Fulton’s voters and the people of Georgia deserve better,” one of Raffensperger’s tweets read.
Earlier this year, the Fulton County Elections Board voted to fire Barron, but the commissioners rejected the termination.
Another tweet stated, “Long before November, I had been working to get Fulton to clean up their decades of election mismanagement. Restoring confidence in our elections should be a bipartisan concern. Fulton County’s poor elections management is making that impossible.”
Raffensperger’s also gone on record urging Republicans to take “the lead on election regulation reform” and that the SOS assigned monitor found “significant management issues.”
Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts (D – Fulton) described Raffensperger’s call to fire Barron and Jones as a “sell out to conspiracy theorists.”
“His ultimate goal is based on the provisions of Senate Bill 202, he would like to take over the elections in Fulton County, that is not going to happen, period,” Pitts told Fox 5 Atlanta.
Under the Election Integrity Act (SB 202), the Secretary of State’s Office does have the authority to take over a county’s elections process if numerous instances of problems are documented. The Department of Justice is currently suing Georgia over the bill on the grounds that it violates voter’s civil rights.
Read the entirety of Ralston’s call for an election investigation below:
Gooch previews 156th General Assembly
News January 8, 2021
ATLANTA – After Republicans lost the Presidency in November and two Georgia Senate seats this week among dozens of allegations of voter fraud, it’s not surprising that election reform will be the hot topic when the Republican dominated 156th General Assembly opens Monday under the Gold Dome.
Senate Majority Whip Steve Gooch told Fetch Your News during a phone interview Friday, “There are a lot of questions that haven’t been answered yet. We’ve heard many allegations of fraud and abuse in the system so we’re going to dig deep into our election laws and look at how we do voter verification of advance votes and absentee ballots.”
Gooch, who represents Dawson, White, Lumpkin, Union, Gilmer and Fannin and a small portion of Forsyth County, added, “ I believe personally it should be just as restrictive to vote early and by absentee ballot as it is to vote on Election Day. If you or I go to vote on Election Day, we’re required to show a voter I.D. I believe that requirement should apply to people who vote in advance or by absentee ballot. I think there will be a lot of discussion on that.”
Democrats can be expected to oppose any change in election requirements.
“Democrats will probably try to accuse us of trying to suppress the vote,” Gooch said. “But that is not at all what I would see us doing. I see us as trying to secure the vote and ensure that all votes that are cast are legal votes. I believe there are signs and allegations of voter fraud that need to be further investigated and I hope the GBI and Secretary of State will continue to cooperate by looking into those charges.”
Gooch said he had seen dozens of sworn affidavits signed by poll workers and voters who saw things that did not look proper. “They are due an explanation,” he said. “We have a responsibility to the voters of Georgia that our election process is legal. We have, in my opinion, lost the confidence of the tax payers and voters in Georgia when it comes to elections. We have a little work to do to regain their trust.”
Lawmakers were forced to make major budget cuts last year due to the pandemic but some unanticipated revenue gains in income tax and sales tax may provide an opportunity to restore some of the cuts, especially in the area of public safety and education.
Gooch said he would like to restore some cuts to the state’s reserve fund. “We dipped into that some last year, and we need to keep that fund healthy.”
There will also be some transportation legislation to address freight and logistics issues.
“We will look at ways to use rail more efficiently and increase their usage of our port to get that freight and get some of that freight shifted over to our rail system,” he said.
He also raised the possibility of creating dedicated truck lanes on the interstate highways.
“We’ve been working on ways to get trucks to and from the port through Georgia in a more efficient manner while trying to minimize the impact on our citizens,” he said.
As the 156th General Assembly is gaveled into session Monday, the Senate is made up of 34 Republicans and 22 Democrats while the House has 103 Republicans and 77 Democrats.
GBI Seeks Public’s Assistance in 2011 Toccoa Murder Investigation
Featured Stories March 9, 2020
Toccoa, GA (March 5, 2020) – This month marks the nine year anniversary of the murder of
Robert Lee Simmons, Jr. The GBI is seeking the public’s assistance with any information about
Simmons’ last days and his murder. Simmons, 46, was found dead at his home at the Glendale
Apartments on Norman Drive on March 1, 2011 by a family member. The Toccoa Police
Department responded to the scene after receiving a 911 call. Simmons’ death was determined to
be a homicide.
This case has remained active for the past nine years and both the GBI and Toccoa Police
Department continue to work to solve this case. Recently, investigators have received new
promising leads in this investigation and are asking for help from those who knew Simmons.
Even the smallest detail may help police with this investigation.
Both law enforcement and Robert Simmons’ family and friends implore anyone with information
to contact the GBI or Toccoa Police Department. GBI Special Agent Shilo Crane is the case
agent and may be reached at 706-348-4866. Tips can also be made on the GBI Tipline at 800-
597-8477 or online submissions may be made on the GBI website: www.gbi.georgia.gov. The
Toccoa Police Department may be contacted at 706-282-3244.
Lumpkin County authorities looking for missing woman
News, Police & Government September 21, 2019
LUMPKIN CO, GA – Lumpkin County authorities and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are searching for a woman reported missing since Sept. 14.
The woman’s name is Hannah Bender. She was reported missing by her mother Carol Gilreath.
As of 2:45 p.m. today (Sept. 21) had not located her.
This story is currently developing and Fetch Your News will update as information becomes available.
East Ellijay Police Officer Arrested. Theft by Taking
Featured, Featured Stories February 15, 2018
The GBI arrested East Ellijay Police Office Michael McClure at approximately noon today February 14th 2018. A copy of Booking report and warrant below. FYN has requested a statement from the GBI and East Ellijay Police Chief Larry Callahan.
Below is a Press Release Statement from East Ellijay Chief of Police, Larry Callahan.
2 More Meth Labs Discovered in Lumpkin County
News September 21, 2017
Sheriff Stacy Jarrard
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Law enforcement officials discovered two more methamphetamine labs in Lumpkin County Tuesday capable of producing millions of dollars in crystal meth. The discovery dismantled a major criminal organization and has sent at least one member of the organization on the run.
Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard said it all started with a drug bust last Friday that uncovered a huge meth lab in Suches and led to the arrest of five Hispanic males.
That investigation led agents with the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, GBI and FBI to 289 Iberian Road in Dahlonega where they located a suspected meth lab that had been completely consumed by fire. The fire is being investigated by the Fire Marshall’s Office as a case of arson.
Agents then executed a second search warrant the same day at 126 Antique Way where they discovered another suspected meth lab. Lab equipment found at that location was consistent with the one found last week in Suches. They also located seven empty 55-gallon drums, three of which tested positive for methamphetamine, along with two AR-15 rifles, a pistol grip shotgun and a handgun.
Clara Catarino Mendoza
Both the Lumpkin County properties are linked to Clara Catarino Mendoza, 32, an Hispanic female, 5’1” tall, weighing 125 pounds. Agents believe that Mendoza fled with her two juvenile children. Arrest warrants have been issued on Mendoza for conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. She is believed to be driving either a 2006 yellow H2 hummer, Georgia tag PYX 5020, a 2003 gray Ford Superduty Truck, Georgia tag PKM 9409 or a White BMW 4 door sedan (exact model and tag unknown). If anybody sees Mendoza or has any information on her please call the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office at 706-864- 3633, the GBI at 1-800- 597-8477, the FBI at 1-800- 225-5324 or your local police department or sheriff’s office.
“I want to thank all the agencies involved in this endeavor to get this dangerous organization dismantled in our community,” Jarrard said. “As always, we are proud to have such good working relations with the FBI, GBI, Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, as well as our hard working Lumpkin County Sheriff Deputies.”
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Suspect arrested in GBI rape investigation
Business November 14, 2018
DAHLONEGA, GA
Jose Luis Amaro Vasquez, 33, of Mexico, was arrested on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, by the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office in Dahlonega, GA.
In October 2018, LCSO had requested the GBI initiate an investigation into allegations of rape, cruelty to children, and false imprisonment. GBI Special Agent in Charge, Kimberly Williams, took the investigation. The case agent was able to corroborate the allegations through an exhaustive investigation with assistance from a bilingual Gainesville Police Department Detective. As a result, Vazquez was charged with two counts of rape, two counts of child cruelty, and one count of false imprisonment. Vazquez is currently housed in the Lumpkin County Jail.
State agents stated that they will hand the case over to the Enotah Judicial Circuit District Attorney for prosecution, once the investigation ends.
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GBI Seeks Help with Identifying Body Found in Banks County.
News June 23, 2017
GBI Seeks Help with Identifying Body
Commerce, Georgia – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is seeking the public’s help in identifying human remains found near Interstate 85 in Banks County.
On Sunday, February 5, 2017, a skeleton was discovered in a wooded area near New Salem Methodist Church, at 2170 Highway 59, in Commerce. The body’s location was one mile south of I-85, Exit 154 for Toccoa/SR 63/Martin Bridge Road. The Banks County Sheriff’s Office requested GBI’s assistance with the investigation.
A forensic anthropological examination estimates the remains to be of an African American/Hispanic female, approximately 30-44 years of age, and approximately 4’9’ to 5’6” in height. The date of death is estimated to be up to 4 years prior to the time of discovery.
Found among the remains, was a metal ring and a butterfly necklace charm (see attached photographs). Blue, purple, and gray in color fabrics were also collected from the scene. Dental is available for comparison.
Anyone with information concerning the case is asked to call the GBI Athens office at 706-552-2309 or the Banks County Sheriff’s Office at 706-677-2248. Information may also be submitted on-line here.
Remains Found in Tosha Herron Case
Police & Government April 21, 2017
Dahlonega, GA. – On Thursday, April 20, 2017, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office coordinated with the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office Rapid Response Team to conduct a large scale woodlands search of the area where Tosha Herron’s wrecked vehicle was found on October 12, 2016 off of Highway 129 North in Lumpkin County, Georgia. The area is considered the Chestatee Wildlife Management Area. This search was expanded beyond the areas previously searched by law enforcement since October 2016.
During the operation, the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office Rapid Response Team located a boot that was the mate to Herron’s boot found shortly after the discovery of the accident in October. Additionally, the Rapid Response Team located what appears to be human remains. The remains were collected by the GBI Crime Scene Specialist and will be transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Officer for examination and identification.
Body Found – Suspect Arrested in Lumpkin County Murder
News December 5, 2016
LUMPKIN CO., Ga. – The body of a missing Murrayville woman was found early Sunday in the woods off Hwy. 60 just north of Dahlonega. The man she had been linked to romantically has been charged with murder and aggravated assault.
Deputies with the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation located the body of 41-year-old Wanda Kay McDougald about one mile south of the Union County line shortly after midnight.
Hall County deputies located 52-year-old John Harol Whitfield at a home in Clermont Sunday afternoon. He has been charged with murder and aggravated assault and booked into the Lumpkin County jail.
GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said McDougald and Whitfield had lived together for more than a year.
An autopsy is pending. Fetch Your News will have more details as they become available.
The GBI Crime Lab Receives Synthetic Opioid Carfentanil
Featured, Featured Stories, News September 1, 2016
Decatur, GA – Within the past week, the GBI Crime Lab’s drug identification unit received three cases from separate seizures of the synthetic opioid carfentanil. Carfentanil is a fentanyl analog used as a tranquilizer on large animals such as elephants.
It is purported to be 100 times stronger than fentanyl and suspected of playing a role in hundreds of overdoses in the Midwest part of the country this past month. It can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin and very toxic in small quantities. The cases that came in the lab were from the metro Atlanta area and were all suspected to be heroin. As a result of this drug coming into the GBI Crime Lab, lab scientists have enhanced their safety protocols to protect them from the potential dangers.
Some of the changes include wearing a face mask as well as testing any case suspected to contain heroin under a ventilated hood. Officer safety is of grave concern and all officers are strongly encouraged to take extreme caution when handling any suspected opioid.
Carfentanil is not intended for human use and the opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan may be effective but only after multiple doses. The public is urged to be aware of the extreme dangers of handling and consuming carfentanil.
GBI Investigating Inmate Death
Featured September 1, 2016
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Department of Corrections are currently investigating the death of Christopher Verner, 23, an inmate at Appling Integrated Treatment Facility in Baxley, Georgia. On Friday, August 26, Verner collapsed at the Appling ITF and was ultimately transferred to Savannah Memorial where he died August 27, 2016. The GBI Medical Examiner’s Office conducted the autopsy and the results are pending.
