Five people were arrested following a Drug Trafficking Investigation in Stephens County.
The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post Friday the department’s Crime Suppression Unit assisted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office with drug trafficking searches throughout the county within the last week.
ARDEO agents reportedly initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking operation that involved large quantities of illegal contraband being transported from Metro Atlanta into Stephens County in January 2025.
On March 18, deputies and investigators with the agencies searched multiple locations within the area, resulting in the following arrests:
Jimmy Dale Turpin, 46, of Toccoa, was allegedly found in possession of 282.2 grams of suspected methamphetamine, one firearm and $1,893 in U.S. currency. He was charged with trafficking in illegal drugs, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and parole violation.
Robert “Bobby” Thompson, 47 of Eastanollee, and Candice P. Martin (Stanford), 33 of Martin, were arrested on charges of trafficking in illegal drugs, possession of a schedule II controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of a schedule IV controlled substance with intent to distribute.
The two were reportedly found in possession of 78 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 23 grams of marijuana, 10 grams of suspected psilocybin (mushrooms), a variety of multiple prescription medications and $4,393 in U.S. currency. Thompson was also charged with felony probation violation and Martin was charged with felony parole violation.
Additionally, Jonathon Purcell, 39 of Toccoa, and Westley Woody, 43 of Martin, were arrested for an outstanding warrants. Purcell had a felony warrant out of Gwinnett County, while Woody had an outstanding felony probation warrant in Stephens County.
The agency said the investigation into the case is ongoing. Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact SCSO tip line at (706) 886-7048 or GBI tip line at (706) 348-7410. You can also submit tips through our SCSO mobile app or the GBI website at gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online.
