HOMER — Officials in Banks County hope a discovery Thursday will help solve burglary and theft cases there and in surrounding counties.
The suspected chop shop and drug operation was discovered during an investigation by Banks County Sheriff’s Office investigators at a home on Queen Road in Gillsville.
“On Thursday afternoon, investigators conducted a search warrant of 379 Queen Road and 401 Queen Road, where they recovered an overwhelming amount of stolen property, to include tools, equipment and vehicles,” said Sheriff Carlton Speed. “In addition to locating stolen items, investigators did discover a firearm along with approximately a half-pound of methamphetamine and a felony amount of marijuana. Three individuals were arrested at the scene and are currently being housed at Banks County Detention Center.”
Banks County Sheriff’s Office officials identified those individuals as:
- Durbin Erie Miller III, 37, of 379 Queen Road, Gillsville — charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, trafficking methamphetamine, operating a chop shop, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm during the commission of certain crimes;
- James Wayne Dockery, 39, of 401 Queen Road, Gillsville — charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana, and operating a chop shop; and
- Emily Marie Huff, 29, of 379 Queen Road, Gillsville – charged with trafficking methamphetamine and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
“We have reached out to numerous agencies near our jurisdiction in order to return the recovered property to its rightful owners,” Speed said. “Thankfully, we have been able to return some items to identified victims within the last two days. Victims appear to be within the local regions surrounding Banks County. The investigation is currently being reviewed by U.S. federal authorities for possible prosecution through the federal court system.”
Because the case involves an ongoing investigation, the total amount and value of items recovered was not available at the time arrest information was released.
Additional charges are pending, according to sheriff’s officials. Investigators were still working Friday evening on recovering items at the scene.
