After learning about illegal drugs being smuggled into the Lumpkin County Detention Center, investigators quickly shut down the operation, according to information released this week by the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office.
Lt. Alan Roach said in a press release that sheriff's office officials first became aware that methamphetamine was being brought across the guard line and into the housing unit of the detention center on Sept. 28.
The following day, investigators with the sheriff's office and members of the Georgia Department of Community Supervision conducted searches, drugs screens, reviews of phone calls, video chats and surveillance camera footage. Roach said inmates were interviewed, as well.
"The results of this portion of the investigation led to the determination that a female by the name of Kimberly Biggs was bringing methamphetamine to various locations so that it could be brought into the Lumpkin County Detention Center by inmates on work detail.," Roach said.
On Sept. 30, the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant on Biggs' residence on Summerour Road in the Dawsonville area.
"During this search warrant methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia was located. Also, the investigators seized Kimberly Biggs cell phone and executed a search warrant on it," Roach said.
The following day, Oct. 1, authorities executed two additional search warrants - one in Lumpkin County and the other in Hall County.
"Through this investigation it was determined that these two locations were linked to Calvin J Turner, who is known as being a drug supplier to Kimberly Biggs," Roach said.
Roach said 11 suspects, including some inmates at the Lumpkin County Detention Center, were arrested at the conclusion of the investigation. Their names and charges are listed below:
Kimberly Biggs, 26, Dawsonville
Distribution of Methamphetamine, Crossing the Guard Lines with a Dangerous Drug, Use of Communication Facility in committing or facilitating a Drug Transaction, Possession of Drug Related Objects, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Criminal Street Gang Activity
Arrested during execution of Hall County search warrant:
Calvin J Turner, 38, Dahlonega (booked into the Hall County Jail)
Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession Schedule II Narcotic, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Related Objects, Possession of a Firearm during certain crimes, and Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon. These are Hall County charges, and charges are pending in Lumpkin County.
Megan Thomas, 28, Dahlonega
Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession Schedule ii Narcotic, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Related Objects, and Possession of a Firearm during certain crimes. These are Hall County charges.
Arrested during execution of Lumpkin County search warrant:
Corey Bailey, 30, Dahlonega
Probation Violation out of Forsyth County and Hall County
Linda Couch, 39, Dahlonega
Possession of Methamphetamine
Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Related Objects
Inmates arrested (listed alphabetically):
James Dowdy Jr., 33, Dahlonega
Possession of Drugs by Inmates, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to distribute, Use of communication facility in committing or facilitating a drug transaction, and Criminal Street Gang Activity
Walker Esters, 21, Dahlonega
Possession of Drugs by Inmates, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to distribute, Use of communication facility in committing or facilitating a drug transaction, and Criminal Street Gang Activity
Chad Jackson, 31, Dahlonega
Possession of Drugs by Inmates, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to distribute, Use of communication facility in committing or facilitating a drug transaction, and Criminal Street Gang Activity
Demetrius Jones, 47, Dahlonega
Possession of Drugs by Inmates, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to distribute, Use of communication facility in committing or facilitating a drug transaction, and Criminal Street Gang Activity
Shannon Kendall, 42, Mt. Airy, Georgia
Possession of Drugs by Inmates, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to distribute, Use of communication facility in committing or facilitating a drug transaction, and Criminal Street Gang Activity
