STAFF REPORT :::
A lengthy investigation conducted by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit resulted in the arrest of David Dover, of 513 Johnny Cut Road, on multiple felony counts related to distributing methamphetamine in Spalding County.
According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, the investigation revealed Dover had an active warrant for his arrest for violation of probation related to a previous conviction for possession of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Special Operations agents on Sept. 9, located Dover and attempted to apprehend him with a traffic stop. Officials say when deputies of the Career Apprehension Gang Enforcement (C.A.G.E.) Unit approached to initiate the stop, Dover fled the scene in a vehicle.
Dix said deputies did not pursue Dover due to safety concerns, but did recover a loaded .45 caliber handgun Dover allegedly threw from the vehicle.
Dover was arrested Sept. 12, at 935 Experiment St., at which time a quantity of methamphetamine and cash was recovered.
Stephanie Ard, of Smyrna Church Road, Thomaston, was also arrested.
“Over the next several days agents were able to intercept communications between Dover and others while he was in jail. In one of the conversations Dover stated that he had hidden quantity of methamphetamine near the Runaway Lakes subdivision and was looking for someone to retrieve it for him. Dover was very detailed as to the location, and manner that the methamphetamine was packaged in particular. Based on the information intercepted, agents went to the area and located two individuals who admitted that they were attempting to locate the methamphetamine for Dover,” Dix said. “Agents located the package Dover described and they secured it for him. At 9:30 last night I, along with two Special Operations agents and a GBI agent, met with Dover in the jail and let him know that we had his methamphetamine in our possession and assured him that it was indeed secure.”
The quantity of methamphetamine recovered was sufficient for agents to charge Dover with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, abandonment of a dangerous drug and unlawful use of a telecommunication device to facilitate a drug transaction.
From the previous encounter with officer from which authorities allege Dover fled, he has been charged with violation of parole, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug related objects, multiple traffic violations, reckless conduct and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Special Operations agents also seized two vehicles and approximately $3,000 cash.
Ard was charged with possession of drug related objects and possession of methamphetamine.
“David Dover has been distributing methamphetamine in Spalding County for years and we consider this a substantial arrest. Dover has multiple methamphetamine related convictions on his record and his disregard for the law and our community is obvious,” Dix said. “He and others like him will continue to feel the pressure increase and we will use all lawful means to stop them. Their days are numbered.”
