Sheriff issues warning to party-goers

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LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard issued a firm warning Thursday (Aug. 20) via the sheriff’s facebook page that future party-goers could face state charges.

That warning comes in the wake of a party near the University of North Georgia campus last week that went viral on social media and appeared to violate Governor Brian Kemp’s executive order that prohibits gatherings of more than 50 people without proper social distancing amid the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis.

“We have health concerns, Jarrard said. “The University of North Georgia wants to stay open and I want them to be able to stay open.”

Jarrard said there was some initial concern about what local law enforcement could enforce the governor’s order.

“We were trying to go under the public health order, but it doesn’t look like that will work so we will have to go under state laws. We have strategized all week about what we’re going to do if this happens again.  I would encourage the students to be mindful of that and just know that they could face some charges if this happens again, which would be on the state level.”

Dahlonega City Marshal Chief Jeff Branyon, who appeared with Jarrard on the facebook video, encouraged party goers to “get on the Internet and look at the CDC guidelines, look at the governor’s order and try to comply with those guidelines…we want to keep everyone safe and healthy til this pandemic is over.”

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