Arrest Made after Human Remains Found in Lumpkin County

Community, Featured Stories, Police & Government

Dahlonega, GA (August 26, 2022) – Charles Edward Cates Jr., 55, of Dahlonega, has been arrested and charged with the murder after human remains were found in Lumpkin County.

On Friday, August 26, 2022, the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, along with the Department of Natural Resources, located human remains near the Mill Creek community in Lumpkin County.  The remains are believed to be related to an ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Tony Lamar Cates, 52, of Dahlonega.  The remains have not been identified and will be sent to the Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

Tony Cates was reported missing in May of 2021.

The investigation is still active and ongoing.  Charles Cates is being held in the Lumpkin County Detention Center.

When the investigation is complete, it will be given to the Lumpkin County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Four arrested in Lumpkin County drug bust

News

LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — A multi-agency task force arrested four individuals and took 295 grams of methamphetamine and an undisclosed amount of heroin off the street Wednesday (Apr 13).

Following months of investigation, the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, the GBI Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office served a warrant at 1085 Lewis School Road. During the service of this search warrant four individuals were arrested.

The following were arrested: 34-year-old Terri Lynn Gee of Dahlonega, 59-year-old Sandra Louise Whitlow of Dahlonega, 40-year-old Michael Troy Sexton of Oakwood and 26-year-old Austin Lamar Mote of Braselton.

All four individuals are being charged with Trafficking methamphetamine. Terri Gee is also charged with sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug related objects, and possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Sandra Whitlow and Michael Sexton are also being charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug related objects.

Teri Lynn Gee

Sandra Louise Whitlow

Michael Troy Sexton

Austin Mote

Dahlonega man charged with murder

Business

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – On Wednesday, April 7, 2021, the GBI and Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jeffrey Wayne Burns, 46, of Dahlonega, GA, and charged him with  Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Homicide by Vehicle. The arrest was in connection to the death of Cheynne Jean Burns, 24, also of Dahlonega. Burns was booked into the Lumpkin County Detention Center.

 On Saturday, April 3, 2021, the GBI was requested by the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office to assist in a death investigation at a residence on Clayton Burns Road, Dahlonega, GA. The investigation revealed that an argument between several individuals resulted in a vehicular confrontation which resulted in Cheynne Burns’ death.

Also arrested for his involvement in this incident was Allen Stamey, 19, of Dahlonega, for reckless conduct. Warrants have been issued for David Godbout, 25, and Johnathon Hampel, 38, both of Dahlonega, for reckless conduct. Both Godbout and Hampel are currently wanted on the outstanding charges. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Godbout or Hampel is asked to contact Lumpkin County 911 or the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the case will be provided to the Enotah Judicial Circuit District Attorney for prosecution.

Authorities serve 12 warrants in connection with major drug bust

News, Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — On Wednesday, December 16, 2020, Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, along with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO), The Federal Bureau of Investigations Safe Streets Task Force, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigations conducted a multi-location service of 12 arrest warrants involving a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO).

Two additional arrest were made during the service of the original 12 arrest warrants. The investigation led to all 12 persons being affiliated and connected with this DTO and they were charged with violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). All 12 suspects were previously charged with drug violations in Lumpkin County in the past year.

This was the culmination of a year-long investigation conducted by the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office.

Throughout the investigation, law enforcement seized multiple kilograms of methamphetamine, multiple kilograms of heroin, and a large amount of U.S. Currency along with other assets. The primary suspect of the investigation, Jeremy Ball 34, is currently incarcerated in the Georgia Department of Corrections, charged with violating the RICO Act.

Also Arrested were the following Lumpkin County residents who were charged with violating the RICO Act: Lisa Andrews 35, Justin Walker 33, Casey Daughtry 41, Kimberly Biggs 26, Justin Newell 30, Candice Newell 32, Morgan Lee 35, Cedric Bearden 41, Shannon Perry Major 49, Carrie Stephens 38 and Sandra Sullens 30, both of whom were already in jail and were also charged with a RICO Violation as a result of this investigation, James Graham, 57, is being charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug-Related Objects, Gary Dowdle, 34, was also arrested during this operation for outstanding warrants for previous crimes in Habersham County, The investigation is ongoing and further charges are pending.

Lumpkin County inmate hangs himself

News

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – On Thursday, June 25, at approximately 10:45 a.m., the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested to investigate an inmate death by the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office. The initial information was at approximately 10:38 a.m., Lumpkin County inmate Randall Thomas Hanley, 38, of Dahlonega, was found hanging in his jail cell. Lumpkin County officers performed lifesaving measures and ultimately EMS transported Hanley to the Northeast Georgia Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at approximately 7:00 p.m.

Hanley was in custody for several charges related to a domestic violence incident. Hanley was denied bond on these charges on June 18, 2020 and his case was pending trial.

The GBI is conducting an independent investigation that is currently ongoing. Preliminary investigation indicates that Hanley died from self-inflicted hanging. The autopsy is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2020 at the GBI Crime Lab.

 

Lumpkin County man dies in officer involved shooting

News

Lumpkin County, Ga (November 20, 2019) – On Wednesday, November 20, 2019, the Georgia
Bureau of Investigation was requested by the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office to investigate an
officer involved shooting.

Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 1:24 pm, Lumpkin County 911 was
contacted by Wylene Cheek, 66, who reported a domestic disturbance involving her husband,
Paul Cheek, 55, at their residence located at 1851 Black Mountain Road, Dahlonega.

A responding Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Deputy made contact with Paul Cheek in the front yard
of the residence, at which time Cheek pulled out a knife. During the confrontation, Cheek was
shot by the deputy one time. Cheek was pronounced dead at the scene.

No officers were injured in this incident.

The GBI will continue its independent investigation. Once complete, it will be turned over to the
Enotah Judicial Circuit District Attorney for review.

GBI investigates officer involved shooting in Lumpkin County

News

LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — According to a tweet today (Nov. 20) the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been asked to investigate an officer involved shooting that took place around 2:30 p.m.

The GBI has released no other information in the case and efforts to reach Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard have been unsuccessful. However, Jarrard did say in a social media post that  all of his deputies are safe.

Fetch Your News will have more details as soon as they are available.

UPDATE: Lumpkin County officer involved shooting

News

LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. – Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard released a tearful statement this afternoon on today’s (Nov. 20) officer involved shooting on the Sheriff’s Office facebook page.

“I am familiar with a lot of people involved in this situation,” he said. “The officer, I have known all my life. The other people involved I am well familiar with that family. My prayers go out for all involved. I would ask that everybody remember them in prayer. I will release more as I can.”

Reward offered for information on murder suspect Austin Stryker

News

Austin Todd Stryker

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Authorities have posted a $5,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Austin Todd Stryker, 22, of Dawsonville.

Stryker is the main suspect in the murder of 21-year-old Hannah Bender. The Lumpkin County woman’s body was found Wednesday in a ravine in north Forsyth County.

Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard said yesterday the U.S. Marshals Office had placed the reward on Stryker and a new arrest warrant was issued on 78-year-old Jerry Harper of Cumming. Until yesterday (Sept. 27) Harper was only considered a “person of interest.” That changed when the Georgia Bureau of Investigation charged him with concealment of a body and tampering with evidence.

The two men are believed to be traveling together and were last seen in a white 2000 Ford Explorer license plate PXH 4402.

According to a post on the West Virginia State Police facebook page, Stryker was spotted in Clay County, West Virginia earlier this week. He is considered armed and dangerous and the public is cautioned not to approach.

Stryker’s fiancee Elizabeth Donaldson was arrested this week in Dawson County and charged with concealment of a body.

Authorities have not yet revealed how Ms. Bender was killed or why.

To report information to the Task Force at 1-877-926-8332 or 770-508-2500 or Captain Marcus Sewell with the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s office at 706-974-6824.

 

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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update: Missing woman’s body found in Forsyth Co.

News
murder warrant

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard announced today the body of 21-year-old Hannah Bender, has been found in a partially-wooded, partially-pasture land area off Parks Road in Forsyth County.

pickup truck

Hannah Bender

Authorities with the Sheriff’s Office and Georgia Bureau of Investigation were led to the discovery through leads developed during the investigation.

Ms. Bender’s mother reported her missing Sept. 14 and a murder warrant was issued for her one-time boyfriend Austin Todd Stryker, 21, of Dawson County. Authorities also want to talk to 78-year-old Jerry Harper they describe as a person of interest.

Investigators found a black Ford Ranger pickup truck on Monday near where the body was discovered they believe belongs to Harper.

body

Austin Todd Stryker

The West Virginia State Patrol Facebook page reports that Stryker was seen in Clay County, West Virginia.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office Captain Marcus Sewell at 706-974-6824.

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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

More arrests, more charges could be filed in Bender murder case

News

Sheriff Stacy Jarrard

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard said Friday there could be more arrests in the Hannah Bender murder case.

“I know the GBI is looking into that,” he said during a phone interview.

Jarrard also said the GBI could file additional charges against the six people already in custody.

Authorities believe Bender was murdered in Lumpkin County, but her body was found in a ravine in Forsyth County on Parks Road near Hwy 306.

Austin Todd Stryker, who was arrested in Pittsburgh last week, has been charged with Bender’s murder. He also has been charged with the robbery of the Dollar General store on Hwy. 60 in Lumpkin County in July.

Authorities have not revealed a motive in the murder. Nor have they said whether the robbery and murder are connected. The GBI special agent in charge of the investigation declined to be interviewed last week.

The others arrested include Bailey Williams, 21, charged with tampering with evidence; Dylan Reid, 19, charged with concealing a death; Isaac Huff, 18, charged with concealing a death; Elizabeth Brooke Donaldson, 21,  charged with  tampering with evidence; Jerry Harper, 78, charged with concealing a dead body and tampering with evidence.

 

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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shooting death reported in Lumpkin County Saturday

News

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Sheriff Stacy Jarrard reported today that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the shooting death last night (April 20) of Mr. Jason Burnett, 43, of Lumpkin County.

The shooting took place at a residence off Bill Anderson Road between 6:30 and 7 p.m.

Authorities have arrested Axel Willis, who is in his early 20s in connection with the shooting.

No other details are available at this time.

Sheriff Jarrard said his prayers go out to the families who are affected by this tragedy.

Fetch Your News will have more information as it becomes available.

 

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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

 

Arrest made in GBI rape investigation

News

Jose Luis Vazquez

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – On Tuesday, November 13, 2018, the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jose Luis Amaro Vazquez, 33, of Mexico, in Dahlonega.

In October 2018, the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI initiate an investigation into allegations of rape, cruelty to children, and false imprisonment. 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.

Upon completion of the investigation, the case will be provided to the Enotah Judicial Circuit District Attorney for prosecution.

 

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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

 

Dahlonega shooting death may have been a case of self defense

News

Axel Ricky Willis

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is expected to conclude its investigation into the April 20 shooting death of Jason Burnett, 43 of Dahlonega, by the end of next week.

According to a source close to the investigation the incident has a “99 percent certainty of being ruled a case of self defense.”

The source said Burnett arrived at the home of Axel Ricky Willis, 23, at 156 Bill Anderson Road in Dahlonega at which time, words were exchanged regarding Burnett’s estranged wife Heather living with Willis and Burnett struck Willis with a baseball bat, leaving visible marks before being shot and killed.

Georgia’s version of the stand your ground law (Georgia Code 16-3-23-1) states that a person using force in self-defense has “no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground. The key is that the person’s use of force must be in self defense. The law provides either immunity from prosecution or a defense during trial in cases in which a person uses deadly force in public, even if he or she can safely retreat.

The shooting took place shortly after 7:30 p.m. Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office deputies secured the scene before turning the investigation over to the GBI.

While social media accounts have claimed Burnett was shot in the back, sources say those statements are incorrect and that Mr. Burnett was shot in the face.

Several people witnessed the shooting, including Heather Burnett.

A small amount of marijuana was found in the home and Willis was charged with misdemeanor possession but, as of today (April 27) he has not been charged with anything relating to the shooting.

He was transported to the Lumpkin County Detention Center where he was placed on a 48-hour hold but was released on $1,200 bond Tuesday, April 23.

Fetch Your News will have more information as it becomes available.

 

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. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

 

Four Indicted for Distributing Heroin

News

GBI Crime Lab Identifies Central Georgia Counterfeit Pills

News

Decatur, GA – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Lab has identified counterfeit pills related to the reported overdoses in the Central Georgia area.

Analysis has confirmed that the pills contain a mixture of two synthetic opioids, cyclopropyl fentanyl and U-47700.  Cyclopropyl fentanyl is a fentanyl analogue that is chemically similar to fentanyl.  It is unknown how the human body will react to this drug since it is not intended for human or veterinary use.  Cyclopropyl fentanyl had not previously been seen in Georgia.

U-47700 is a synthetic opioid 7.5 times stronger than morphine.

Both of these drugs are HIGHLY DANGEROUS and should not be handled.  They can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin and are extremely toxic in even the smallest quantities.

Legislation was introduced this year to outlaw both cyclopropyl fentanyl and U-47700 in Georgia.  The law banning the substances went into effect after passage by the Georgia General Assembly and the Governor’s signature on April 17, 2017.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Department of Public Health, Georgia Poison Center, hospitals, local, state, and federal partners are working jointly on this investigation.

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