James Howard Reynolds of Fannin County and Jacob Greg Davis of Gilmer County both face drug trafficking and other charges, while over two pounds, $92,000 worth, of methamphetamine is off the streets as the result of an investigation that began with a tip to the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office.
Reynolds, 53, of 3031 Murphy Highway, Mineral Bluff, is charged in Fannin County with two counts of Trafficking in Methamphetamine or Amphetamine and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. All are felonies.
Davis, 44, of 344 Old Flat Creek Road, Gilmer County, is charged in Gilmer County with Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Possession of Schedule I Drug, Possession of Schedule II drug, Distribution of Marijuana, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Investigator Dustin Carder of the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office said he received information from the Cherokee County, North Carolina, Sheriff’s Office regarding possible drug activity by Reynolds. That tip led to several months of investigative work including surveillance, which revealed possible illegal activity by Davis.
January 12, shortly before 2 a.m., Sergeant Jacob Pless of the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office performed a traffic stop on Reynolds on Highway 2 (Highway 515) at Josh Hall Road in Blue Ridge.
Pless’ report said Carder had been following Reynolds’ vehicle coming into Fannin County and the driver failed to maintain lane. Pless followed the vehicle and also observed erratic driving.
When Reynolds refused to consent to a search, Pless deployed K-9 Vendy who alerted on a drug odor coming from the vehicle. A little less than 1,300 grams of methamphetamine were discovered in the vehicle and on Reynolds.
A subsequent search of Reynolds’ residence turned up approximately 250 grams of methamphetamine.
Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office detectives followed up on the information regarding Davis and discovered another 638 grams of methamphetamine at his residence, bringing the total amount of methamphetamine seized to approximately 2,200 grams.
When the street value is calculated – the number of eight balls produced at a selling price to a user of $150 per eight ball – the value of the methamphetamine is approximately $92,400.
Besides the methamphetamine seized at Davis’ residence, Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson said 33 firearms were also seized, one determined to have been stolen from Fannin County. That information led Fannin County investigators to determine Davis was in possession of other items stolen from a local burglary.
Reynolds remains held in the Fannin County Jail without bond.
Taking part in the investigation were the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee County, North Carolina, Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force.