A coordinated operation led by the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of illegal drugs, firearms, and drug paraphernalia following two search warrants executed on Wednesday, April 30.
According to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began earlier this year after narcotics officers received multiple tips from concerned citizens alleging that Dazmon Steeple, 32, of Toccoa, was distributing illegal drugs in the community. Following a detailed investigation, authorities say they gathered sufficient evidence to secure a search warrant for Steeple and his residence on Davis Avenue.
At 6:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office Crime Suppression Unit, with assistance from the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) and Toccoa Police Department, executed the warrant. Although Steeple and his girlfriend, Meyghan Smith, 22, were not present, investigators allegedly discovered fentanyl and drug-related items inside the home.
Later that afternoon, investigators received a tip about the couple’s whereabouts and traced them to the Ridgecrest Road residence of Jessica Myers, 41. Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Myers’ vehicle on North Broad Street for traffic violations and allegedly discovered drug paraphernalia in her possession. Myers was then taken into custody.
Following the stop, deputies conducted a search of Myers’ residence. There, they allegedly located and arrested Steeple, Smith and a third individual, Carnarius Rucker, 34, who was allegedly found with drug-related items on his person.
A second search warrant was issued for the Ridgecrest Road home, where investigators allegedly found methamphetamine, fentanyl, drug packaging materials, burnt tinfoil with residue, two firearms and additional evidence of drug activity.
All four suspects were transported to the Stephens County Jail. During booking, Myers was allegedly found to be concealing a baggie containing approximately 0.55 grams of suspected fentanyl. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, that amount could contain up to 275 potentially lethal doses.
The individuals face the following charges:
Dazmon Steeple:
- possession of fentanyl
- possession of methamphetamine
- possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute
- possession of a controlled substance with intent near a housing project
- possession of drug-related objects
- possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime
- two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- cruelty to children in the second degree
- possession of a Schedule II controlled substance
- Meyghan Smith:
- possession of fentanyl
- possession of methamphetamine
- possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute
- possession of a controlled substance with intent near housing project
- possession of drug-related objects
- possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime
- cruelty to children in the second degree
- possession of a Schedule II controlled substance
- Jessica Myers:
- possession of methamphetamine
- possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute
- possession of fentanyl
- possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute
- possession of a controlled substance with intent near a housing project
- possession of drug-related objects
- possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime
- two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- hindering apprehension of a criminal
- crossing guard lines with drugs
- probation violation
- failure to maintain lane
- failure to yield to emergency vehicle
- distracted driving
- possession of a Schedule II controlled substance
- Carnarius Rucker:
- possession of methamphetamine
- possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute
- possession of drug-related objects
- possession of a controlled substance with intent near a housing project
- possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime
- possession of a Schedule II controlled substance
