Georgia sheriff’s office busts jail meth smuggling operation

LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — Multiple people are facing charges after Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office busted a drug smuggling operation.

On Sept. 28, the sheriff’s office learned that meth was being brought into the Lumpkin County Detention Center’s housing area.

After going through jail phone calls, surveillance video and interviews with inmates, authorities said they identified Kimberly Briggs as a suspect. They said she was dropping off meth at various location so that inmates working on detail could pick it up and bring it inside the detention center.

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Authorities conducted a search warrant at Briggs' home where they said they found meth and information on her cellphone.

In total, authorities said they charged 11 people in the operation:

Kimberly Biggs a 26-year-old Dawsonville, Georgia resident was charged with the following: 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.

Chad Jackson a 31-year-old Dahlonega, Georgia resident was charged with the following: 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 a 21-year-old Dahlonega, Georgia resident was charged with the following: 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 a 47-year-old Dahlonega, Georgia resident was charged with the following: 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.

James Dowdy Jr. (Old Booking Picture) (Currently incarcerated in the Georgia Department of Corrections) a 33-year-old Dahlonega, Georgia resident was charged with the following: 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 a 42-year-old Mt. Airy, Georgia resident was charged with the following: 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.

Calvin J Turner (Old Booking Picture) (Booked into Hall County Jail on the following) a 38-year-old Dahlonega, Georgia resident was charged with the following in Hall County: 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. Charges Pending in Lumpkin County.

Megan Thomas (Old Booking Picture) (Booked into Hall County Jail on the following) a 28-year-old Dahlonega, Georgia resident was charged with the following in Hall County: Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession Schedule ii Narcotic, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Related Objects, and Possession of a Firearm during certain crimes.

Linda Couch a 39-year-old Dahlonega, Georgia resident was charged with the following: Possession of Methamphetamine.

Kelly Haas a 39-year-old Dahlonega, Georgia resident was charged with the following: Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Related Objects.

Corey Bailey a 30-year-old Dahlonega, Georgia resident was charged with the following: Probation Violation out of Forsyth County and Hall County.

Cox Media Group