CARNESVILLE — Security is beefed up at Franklin County schools today as the search for a wanted fugitive enters its sixth day.
Franklin County School Superintendent Wayne Randall says some the schools are on lockdown.
“We have Lavonia, Carnesville and the middle school on soft lockdown, which means the kids just don’t go outside,” Randall said Monday morning. “Everything else is operating as normal and that’s just precautionary. I don’t think anybody knows where this guy is. He’s been sighted in lots of places. So, we’re just taking precautions.”
Randall says Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas has also ordered extra patrols today at all the schools.
“Yes, they have extra patrols driving through the campuses. And then for extracurricular events at the Middle School today we will have an extra officer there,” Randall added.
Deputies made a traffic stop on the northbound side of Interstate 85 near Exit 173 last Wednesday, Thomas said.
A check of the vehicle’s tag came back to Robert Jacob Huckaby, 37, and indicated he was wanted for a parole violation.
During the stop, Huckaby bolted from the vehicle and ran.
The search for him has continued every day since then using K-9 tracking dogs, law enforcement vehicles and helicopters.
On Sunday, Lavonia Police blanketed the area along Highway 59 and the Lavonia ball fields with extra patrols in an effort to find Huckaby.
Thomas says authorities believe he may still be in the area.
“As of midnight last night, yes,” Thomas said Monday morning. I think choppers left about 1:30 a.m. or 2:30 a.m. They were searching around Brown Road and the I-85 bridge.”
Thomas said the search Sunday came as the result of a tip that Huckaby had been seen in the area of Fairview Bridge walking southbound on I-85.
Huckaby has a lengthy criminal record dating back to 2000. He had served four years of a five-year prison sentence out of Morgan County and was on parole at the time he ran last Wednesday.
Huckaby is described as a white male, bald with numerous tattoos, including on his head and face.
He is believed to be armed and dangerous. Thomas says if you see him, do not approach him, but call 9-1-1 immediately.
