Traffic Alert and Power Outage

Announcements, Police & Government

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga.- Dawson County Sheriff’s Office reported Lumpkin Campground between Dawson Forest Road and GW Taffar is shut down due to power lines down.

Power is out in the area as well. An individual was cutting down a that landed on the lines. The power will be out for a few hours as crews work to remove the tree and fix the lines.

The sheriff’s office will update its Facebook page when the road is open again. To watch out for the post visit https://www.facebook.com/Dawson.Co.Sheriff.

Dawson County Sheriff’s Office BOLO

Announcements, Police & Government, Press Release

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga.- The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office has issued a BOLO and is seeking help in identifying a vehicle and its occupants in connection to mail theft.

On Oct. 4 at approximately 4:37 p.m. a vehicle believed to be a 2007 or 2008 black Chevrolet Cobalt Coupe occupied by a white male and female was seen in the area of Amicalola Woods Drive and Shady Fern Trail Dawsonville, Ga. The pair occupying the vehicle removed mail from multiple mailboxes at this location and left the scene.

The unidentified woman and the vehicle.

The unidentified man

Both subjects appear to be between 25 and 35 years of age. Please contact Sgt. Misty Harbin with any information on the vehicle and its occupants. She can be reached at (706) 344-3535 Ext. 20151 or [email protected]

Drug Arrest

Announcements, Arrest Reports, Police & Government

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga.- The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office arrested 19-year-old Makenzey Miller on drug charges on Oct. 3.

Miller is charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of more than 1 oz of marijuana. Miller was taken into custody by Officer Alexander Pearson.

No bond has been set yet. Miller has to go before the judge. For more information on Miller’s case visit https://omsweb.public-safety-cloud.com/jtclientweb/jailtracker/index/Dawson_County_GA.

Warrants and charges incurred in January’s auto theft case

Police & Government, Press Release
Warrants and charges incurred in January's auto theft case.

PRESS RELEASE — Since the investigation’s start in January, the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office has now announced its progress with warrants and charges on social media.
January Entering Autos Update:

During the investigation of the recent Entering Autos and Auto Thefts, there were 27 Entering Autos and four vehicles stolen. So far, three of the four vehicles have been located and returned to their owners. Also four, possibly five, of the five suspects have been identified that were involved in these incidents. Warrants have been taken for the adult suspects. Charges for one of the juveniles has been complete and charges for the other juvenile are pending.

We’re proud of our investigators and their hard work on this case.

 

To follow the course of the investigation, visit FYN’s previous coverage at the links below.

https://dawson.fetchyournews.com/2022/01/17/vehicles-burglarized-in-dawson-county/

https://dawson.fetchyournews.com/2022/01/18/investigation-leads-to-suspect-taken-into-custody/

Officers able to become certified in phlebotomy practices

Press Release
Officers able to become certified in phlebotomy through new program.
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office shared the background of the program offering officers new opportunities on social media:
The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has implemented a new program enabling law enforcement officers to become certified in phlebotomy practices. Officers participating in the phlebotomy program will each undergo online training and classroom training. West Georgia Technical College initially provided the training under the supervision of the Phlebotomy Program Director. Upon successful completion, officers possess the same qualifications as phlebotomists who work in hospitals, doctor’s offices and other licensed medical facilities in the state of Georgia.

Implementation of law enforcement phlebotomy program in Georgia

Arizona is credited with starting the nation’s first law enforcement phlebotomy program in 1995 with other states, including Texas, Minnesota, Colorado, Maine, Idaho, Washington, and Utah also having successfully established similar programs. Georgia is the 13th state to implement this program.
Under Georgia law, law enforcement can only obtain a blood draw of a suspected DUI driver if an individual consents, or a search warrant is obtained. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that police can draw blood evidence when a suspected drunken or drugged driver is unconscious as well.
The need, authorities say, is because blood tests are more accurate than breathalyzers. Advocates have also said that the latest Covid-19 surge has EMS and hospitals overwhelmed, oftentimes leading to a delay in a blood draw. With alcohol, the content in the blood decreases by 0.0125-0.015 grams per hour. Plus, breathalyzers do not measure the presence of drugs.
DCSO HEAT Deputy Provost graduated from Georgia’s very first LEO phlebotomy class with 15 others from around the state. This step allows him to perform blood draws at the Dawson County Detention Center rather than transporting suspects to other medical care facilities, saving both time and money.
On February 17, Deputy Provost performed DCSO’s very first blood draw on an individual suspected of DUI Drugs. We appreciate the dedication and continued learning of our deputies who work hard for Dawson County citizens.
If interested in viewing the original post, readers can visit https://www.facebook.com/Dawson.Co.Sheriff.

Investigation leads to suspect taken into custody

Police & Government, Press Release
Vehicles broken into in Dawson County.

PRESS RELEASE – As an update to the Entering Autos and stolen vehicles from earlier in the week – this is an ongoing investigation and we will update as we are able. Currently we have one suspect in custody and 2 of the 4 stolen vehicles have been recovered. Please continue to forward any footage or report information you have regarding this investigation.

Previously, the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office advised residents to ensure they locked vehicles and removed valuables from cars.

https://dawson.fetchyournews.com/2022/01/17/vehicles-burglarized-in-dawson-county/

Vehicles burglarized in Dawson County

Police & Government, Press Release
Vehicles broken into in Dawson County.
PRESS RELEASE – The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a rash of Entering Autos and stolen vehicles which took place across Dawson County last night.
If you had any items stolen from your vehicles, please give us a call at 706-344-3636.
We ask that everyone please ensure your vehicles are locked and valuables are not left in your car overnight.
If you have any information or footage that would help in this investigation, please reach out to us today.

Dawson County Sheriff’s Office advises staying home

Press Release, Weather
Community urged to stay home with winter weather approaching.
This is your friendly reminder to plan on being home this weekend. With snow and ice extremely likely, DCSO kindly requests that you stay off the roads and not make cause for emergency response.
If it’s difficult for you to drive, it’s also difficult for us. Slower response times, reports via phone, power outages and road closures are all distinct possibilities. Be smart! Plan ahead! Do not wait to get firewood!
Please share this post with your Dawson County neighbors.

Crime Suppression Unit search warrant leads to arrests

Police & Government, Press Release
DCSO Crime Suppression Unit's search warrant leads to arrests.
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Following the execution of a search warrant, the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office announced the outcome on social media:
In late December, the DCSO Crime Suppression Unit conducted a search warrant at a home off Goldmine Rd in Dawson County. Investigators with CSU had previously become aware of drug sales at this location and after multiple investigative steps, applied for a search warrant of the home.
Upon execution of a search warrant, deputies made arrests on a total of six individuals with charges ranging from Distribution of Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Disorderly House.
While at the home, deputies observed over 100 different animals living in deplorable conditions. Deputies contacted the Dawson County Animal Control who advised they would take custody of the animals and with the help of the Dawson County Humane Society, nurse them back to health.
We are extremely proud of the Crime Suppression Unit along with the Dawson County Marshall’s Office and Dawson County Humane Society for working to make our county a better place.

DCJHS student charged with possession of drugs and firearm

News

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — A 14-year-old Dawson County Junior High School student was arrested today (Apr. 13) and charged with possession of a controlled substance, illegal possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during the commission of crime.

Sources close to the sheriff’s office say the firearm and prescription drugs were found in the youth’s backpack before he arrived at school. The student is being held in the regional detention center.

No other details were immediately available. A post on the Dawson County School System said  the School District is working with the Sheriff’s Office to assist as needed.

Fetch Your News will have more details on this developing story as they become available.

Sanford family attorney threatens Sheriff’s Office with $50 million wrongful death lawsuit

News

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office is on notice it could be facing a $50 million lawsuit following the death of 18-year-old Jonathan Sanford in the Dawson County Detention Center in June 2020.

In an ante litem notice delivered last week, the Sanford family attorney AJ Richman states: “The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office failed this young boy and his family on multiple levels. Had sheriff’s deputies involved in the arrest, processing and supervision of Jonathan Sanford, at the Dawson County Detention Center performed their job responsibilities correctly, he would be alive today.”

Sanford was arrested on suspicion of DUI in the early evening of June 1. At approximately 6:30 a.m. June 2, he was found unresponsive in a holding cell. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation ruled the death accidental, due to a combined drug intoxication.

Richman claims at least seven hours passed after the Detention Center’s last documented check on Sanford until he was found deceased.

“Mr. Sanford died alone and unmonitored in a Dawson County holding cell,” Richman said. “Mr. Sanford never underwent any medical screenings, evaluations, or any kind of inquiry into his mental or physical condition prior to his placement into an individual holding cell.”

The ante litem calls for a meeting with the Sheriff and his attorney “in hopes the County would do right by the family.” But it also warned, “In the event we are unable to effectively address and resolve this matter with you, please know that the Sanford’s surviving family has authorized us to pursue all available legal remedies available to them and seek damages in the amount of $50 million. This young man had no prior criminal record and had his entire life in front of him when the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office failed him at every turn.”

 

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

 

 

 

 

DCHS Business Education teacher arrested, charged with sexual exploitation of children

News

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Ryan Dennis Coker, 38, a Business Education teacher at Dawson County High School, was arrested Tuesday (Dec. 8) and charged with six felony counts of sexual exploitation of children and unlawful eavesdropping/surveillance.

Following Coker’s arrest the Dawson County School System released a statement stating that they are cooperating fully with the sheriff’s office investigation, and that Coker has been placed on administrative leave.

Coker is accused of having possession of photographs depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He is being held in the Dawson County Detention Center. Dawson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Dawson County School System announces employee arrest

News

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – The Dawson County School System announced at 4:15 p.m. today  (Dec. 8) that an unidentified “staff member of Dawson County High School/Dawson County Junior High has been arrested by the Dawson County Sheriff’s office.”

The staff member has been placed on administrative leave. The charges have not been announced. However, the school system announcement stated that additional information would be released later this afternoon.

Follow Fetch Your News for more news on this developing story.

BOC expected to approve an aggressive traffic enforcement grant during Thursday’s work session

News

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded the Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic Grant in the amount of $213,636.68. The Board of Commissioners will have to vote on acceptance of the grant when it meets in a work session at 4 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 17) in the County Administration Building.

The grant covers the cost of two vehicles, two positions, equipment and some operating expenses and requires no county match. Major Greg Rowan will present the issue to the Board which can approve it during a work session as time sensitive since there is a deadline of Oct. 1. There is no county match required.

Other items on the work session agenda include:

Presentation of Cable TV Proposals;

Presentation of a Proposed Quit Claim Deed to release the county’s leasehold interest in that certain 300-plus acres of real property being sold by Etowah Water & Sewer Authority;

Presentation of professional exemption and budget increase request for production of schedules and tables for rural and urban properties;

Presentation of Bailey Waters Road Culvert Rehab Project Change Order 1;

Presentation of 2021 Holiday and Payroll Calendar;

Presentation of 2021 Board of Commissioners Meeting Schedule;

Discussion of Creative Enterprises.

During the voting session that will immediately follow the work session, commissioners are expected to vote on the following zoning requests:

SU 20-01 – Scott Adamson requests a Special Use Permit for dog kennels located at TMP106-051-017 (Dawson Forest Road East);

ZA 20-06 – Victor Vazemiller requests to rezone 4.001 acres TMP 098-027-009 from RA (Residential Agriculture) to RSR (Residential Sub-Rural) for the purpose of subdividing the property on Goodson Road;

Jim King on behalf of Tri-Mark 400 LLC requests a CPCD (Commercial Planned Community Development) Zoning Stipulation Amendment for TMP 107-319,107-319-005, 107-319-004 and 107-319-002 to remove the age restriction on residential units within the currently zoned CPCD parcels (Blue Ridge Parkway).

Under New Business, commissioners will consider

Moving forward with a Public Hearing for Edna Noblin Road Abandonment Request;

Consideration of Dawson County Recycling Program Update;

Consideration of 2020 Dawson County Surplus List

 

Juvenile charged in death of baby in Dawson County

News

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. –Sources close to the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed today that a female juvenile has been arrested in connection with the death of a 1-2 week old baby whose body was found in a wooded area on Thompson Road July 3.

The female juvenile, whose identity is being withheld due to her age has been charged one count of Concealing the Death of another Person and 1-count of Reckless Conduct.

The infant’s manner of death is also being withheld while the investigation continues.

Fetch Your News will have more information as it becomes available

GBI: Dawson County inmate death due to combined drug intoxication

News

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Medical Examiner has ruled the 18-year-old Dawson County inmate found dead in a cell on June 2, died due to a combined drug intoxication.

Jonathan Sanford who had just graduated from high school and was planning to attend college in the Fall, was arrested on a DUI charge and possession of marijuana. He was found dead in his cell the next day by a Dawson County jailer.

Although the cause of death has been established, the GBI is continuing its investigation. The Sanford family wants to know if their son was given a medical examination and placed on watch. Dawson County Sheriff’s Office Policy and Procedures requires inmates believed to be under the influence of drugs be “kept under close observation.”

The family has hired attorney AJ Richman to conduct a separate investigation to determine whether jail personnel failures contributed to his death.

“Georgia’s sheriffs are responsible for every aspect of a detainee’s health and welfare,” said Richman. “Our local government needs to be transparent, and we are calling upon the sheriff to share with us how Jonathan died in their custody.”

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

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