The following information is gleaned from incident reports, which are public record, from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and G ray Police Department June 7-13, 2024.
June 7
If you find something take it
Deputy Mattox was patrolling the area of Hwy. 49 and Joycliff Rd. when she observed a vehicle drive past her with two occupants and neither had their seat belt on. Mattox initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. The deputy made contact with the male driver and male passenger and neither subject had their seat belts on. Mattox ran a check on both male subjects through the NCIC system and it came back clear. The deputy had the male driver step out of the vehicle and she noticed the odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle. The male driver advised Mattox that a twelve pack had busted inside the vehicle and that’s where the odor was coming from. The driver advised the deputy that he was giving the male passenger a ride home due to them working together. Deputy Mattox recognized the male passenger from previous encounters, and she asked the male driver if there was anything inside the vehicle she needed to know about. Mattox asked the male driver if he wanted her to check his vehicle to see if there was anything illegal inside and he gave her consent to search.
Deputy Elliott arrived on scene to assist. The male driver advised the deputy that his cousin was in the vehicle earlier and he was taking stuff out of a book bag.
The male advised Mattox that his cousin did use meth. The male advised Mattox that if she found anything to “please take it.” As the deputy searched the vehicle, she saw something stuffed in between the passenger seat and the center console. It was a small container that had a clear pipe and a rock like substance believed to be meth. At that time, both of the male occupants were taken into custody. The passenger denied the drugs were his. Mattox mirandized the male driver who claimed possession of the substance. The male passenger was released, and the driver was transported to the Jones County LEC. Mattox applied and was granted a warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine on the male driver.
June 8
Stolen vehicle
Deputy Allen was on routine patrol when he received an alert via Flock Cameras that a stolen vehicle had entered Jones County on Bethune Ave. The GCIC/ NCIC system showed the vehicle was stolen out of Perry, GA. Allen went to the area where the flock camera alerted and began checking down several side roads. When the deputy turned down Arlethia Dr., he noticed several vehicles parked partially in the roadway and partially in the grass median area.
Allen then observed a vehicle that matched the description of the stolen vehicle, and he verified it was indeed the vehicle via his license plate reader. The vehicle was unoccupied. Allen noticed a large gathering was taking place nearby. The deputy parked in a location where he could observe the gathering and requested additional units to his location. Deputy Astyk and Sergeant Johnson arrived on scene, and they quickly parked around the stolen vehicle to secure it. The deputies decided they would make contact with the subjects at the gathering to have them move their vehicle and see who would go to the stolen vehicle. While standing on the front passenger side of the stolen vehicle, Allen observed a male subject walking towards to driver’s side of the vehicle.
Once the male subject started opening the driver’s side door of the vehicle, he was quickly detained and placed in handcuffs. The male subject was read his Miranda Rights and agreed to talk to the deputies. The male stated that he rented the vehicle, and he had been in touch with the rental company and was returning the vehicle that day. Allen asked the male if he had anything on his person and he advised the deputy that he had some “X,” and some “weed” in his front pocket. The deputy searched the male and found a green leafy substance and two small pills suspected to be ecstasy. Nothing further was found. The male was transported to the Jones County LEC where warrants were sought for felony theft by receiving stolen property, felony possession of controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of marijuana less than one ounce.
June 13
Illegal driver
Deputy Shurley was on routine patrol of West Clinton St. when he observed a vehicle pull out from a side street and proceeded to cross over the northbound lane of West Clinton. Shurley thought the vehicle would stop in the median area to let traffic clear before pulling out, but the driver did not do so. The driver of the vehicle proceeded to pull out to enter the southbound lane and pulled out directly in front of the deputy never stopping for traffic to clear. At that time, Shurley initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. The deputy made contact with a female driver and asked for her driver’s license. The female quickly informed Shurley that she did not have a driver’s license. The deputy asked the female for her name and date of birth.
A check through the GCIS system came back to show no driver found. Shurley had the female driver exit the vehicle.
The female advised the deputy that she is in the process of getting everything processed with an immigration attorney to where she can obtain her citizenship and get her driver’s license. Shurley placed the female in his patrol car and transported her to the Jones County LEC where she was issued citations for driving while license suspended, failure to yield while entering the roadway and a warning for suspended registration.
The female was then turned over to jail staff for booking.
