Arrests Made

Hazlehurst and Jeff Davis County law enforcement agencies were busy over the last couple of weeks resulting in a number of arrests.
According to information released by the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office:
On May 14, Hazlehurst law enforcement and emergency services responded to a residence in reference to an overdose. Emergency services arrived to a non-responsive male in the kitchen of a home. He was transported to the Jeff Davis Hospital emergency room where he was given narcan several times before responding. Law enforcement discovered that the subject had ingested a quantity of drugs that he had just purchased from someone.
According to witnesses, a statement was made between the supplier and the buyer was that narcan did not work on this new type of fentanyl. The person who supplied the drugs fled the scene once the subject was unresponsive and before emergency services arrived.
The following day, the Hazlehurst Police Department requested the Jeff Davis Sheriff’s Office to assist in the investigation. After an investigation, a search warrant was executed at a residence on Douglas Street, Hazlehurst, and its owner, Steven Lynn. During a search of the residence, quantities of methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl were discovered and four suspects were arrested, Lynn, Ricky Mims, Walter Thompson III and Donette Livingston.
Later that afternoon, drug investigators assisted the Georgia State Patrol on a traffic stop of an individual that was suspected to be driving under the influence. The driver stated she had her medication in the vehicle, officers searched the vehicle and discovered quantities of Xanax and subutex. It was later determined that the driver, Haley Marie McKinnon did not have valid prescriptions for those medications. McKinnon was arrested and charged with DUI and possession charges, other charges are pending.
On May 16, at 1 a.m., a deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding at 120 mph. The vehicle came to a stop but took off as the officer approached, a chase ensued. Deputies chased the suspect several minutes before the vehicle “blacked out” in an attempt to get away. Essentially the vehicle reactivated the lights, after several minutes, the vehicle took a turn and came back towards deputies. Officers were able to identify the driver as Austin Louie Hand. The vehicle eventually turned into a field and the driver fled on foot. Deputies were unable to apprehend the suspect at that time.
Later that afternoon, investigators and deputies located the subject at his residence. As officers arrived the subject attempted to hide under his mobile home but was apprehended, Hand was in possession of methamphetamine during his arrest.
On May 19, at approximately 4 p.m. investigators noticed a subject leaving the courthouse that had an active warrant. Investigators approached the suspect and informed her of her warrant and took her into custody. Shelia Nicole McCarty was arrested on an active probation warrant. She was also in possession of category IV & III controlled substances.
On May 20 at approximately 6 p.m., a Jeff Davis County Deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle, the vehicle failed to yield and a chase ensued. The chase continued for several minutes and reached speeds of 110 mph. The vehicle turned onto a dirt lane and attempted to discard items out of the windows before coming to a complete stop. The driver Manuel Antonino Guerrero was arrested on site. Officers found the items that were tossed, a quantity of marijuana.
Later that night, the Department of Natural Resources was patrolling the Hinson’s Landing area. The officer approached a vehicle and made contact with the driver, Lindsey Miller and passenger Victoria Smith. During the incident, verbal consent was gained to search the vehicle by the driver. Officers found a bag in the backseat area, they asked the driver who the bag belonged to, she responded “Tyrone.” Officer asked the driver if he could search the bag, the driver gave consent. A quantity of methamphetamine was found inside, the driver said it belonged to her. Miller was taken into custody. The passenger was arrested for an active probation warrant.
On May 24, drug investigators had confirmation on a subject with active warrants eating inside the local Burger King. Investigators approached the Kyle Girtman and informed him of the warrant. Girtman stood up and tried to run out of the restaurant, but was taken down by investigators. Girtman eventually surrendered and was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug related objects.
On May 25, investigators conducted an investigation on an inmate trying to orchestrate a drug drop at the county jail. Investigators became aware that inmate, Jordan Lann was directing his girlfriend, Jerri Highsmith to bring some drugs and conceal them in clothing in a manner in which officers could not detect. Highsmith eventually arrived at the jail with items in her hand and informed the jail staff that the items were for Jordan Lann.
After leaving the items, Highsmith walked out of the gates and was intercepted by law enforcement. Jordan and Highsmith are both charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, use of communication facility in committing or facilitating commission of act which constitutes felony.Highsmith got additional charges of crossing the guard lines with contraband. Other charges are pending.
On May 26, approximately 6:00 p.m., drug investigators initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation. The vehicle yielded but did not come to a complete stop. Officers had to cut the vehicle off for it to completely stop. During the incident, officers discovered the driver had an active probation warrant. Officers located illicit prescription medications in the vehicle. After a careful examination of the nearby area it appeared the driver discarded a quantity of methamphetamine. Jonathan Willis was arrested for his outstanding warrant and will have additional charges.
Steven Lynn, 51, Hazlehurst – Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of fentanyl, possession of cocaine, possession of fentanyl and possession of drug related objects.
– Ricky Mims, 49, Hazlehurst – Possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine and possession of drug related objects and probation violation.
– Walter Thompson III, 28, Hazlehurst – Possession of fentanyl and probation violation.
– Donette Livingston, 47, Hazlehurst – Possession of Controlled I Substance.
– Haley McKinnon, 23, Hazlehurst – Possession of Controlled III Substance.
– Austin Hand, 19, Hazlehurst – Fleeing and attempting to elude officers (felony), possession of meth and several traffic citations.
– Shelia McCarty, 26, Hazlehurst – Probation Violation, Possession of Scheduled III Controlled Substance and Possession of Scheduled IV Controlled Substance.
– Manuel Guerrero, 22, Hazlehurst – Fleeing and attempting to elude officers (felony), possession of abandonment of dangerous drugs, possession of marijuana and several traffic citations.
– Lindsay Miller, 23, Hazlehurst – Possession of methamphetamine.
– Victoria Smith, 33, Hazlehurst – Probation violation.
– Kyle Girtman, 35, Hazlehurst – Possession of meth (warrant), possession of methamphetamine, obstruction of law enforcement officer, possession of drug related objects and probation violation.
– Jerri Highsmith, 26, Douglas – Conspiracy to commit a crime, crossing the guard line with contraband and use of telecommunication device in furtherance of a felony.
– (inmate) Jordan Lann, 30, West Green – Conspiracy to commit a crime and use of telecommunication device in furtherance of a felony.
– Jonathan Willis, 23, Monroe – Probation violation warrant, Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of controlled 2 substance, Possession of controlled 4 substance and abandonment of dangerous drug.