Death investigation leads to discovery of alleged heroin distribution ring in North Georgia
On February 9, 2018, the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement, the Mt. Airy Police Department and the Department of Corrections executed 5 opioid related search warrants in Habersham and Franklin Counties.
During the course of this 5 month overdose death investigation of Adam Hicks, ARDEO Agents identified a heroin distribution ring in North Georgia. Authorities executed 5 search warrants and charged 5 people with violating the Georgia Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO), according to a press release from ARDEO.
The investigation also uncovered additional people from Adam Hick’s inner circle that were suspected of distributing heroin and oxycodone (scheduled II).
As a result of the evidence and information developed, Habersham County authorities arrested Ashley Sosebee for felony murder in the overdose death of Adam Hicks.
“Authorities have worked tirelessly to bring the people responsible for the death of Adam Hicks to justice,” says ARDEO Special Agent in Charge Mitchell Posey. “This investigation speaks loudly to opioid dealers that law enforcement will not sit idly on the sidelines as the people in our communities die.”
Authorities served search warrants at:
1. Chad Harrelson and Brandi Freeman’s residence, 550 Welcome Home Road, Mt. Airy.
2. James Heumaneus’ residence, 399 Circle Drive, Cornelia.
3. Bud Heaton and Karen Shope’s residence, 293 Airport Road, Baldwin.
4. Jackie Galliher’s residence, 199 Ivy Hills Circle, Mt. Airy.
5. Janie Rogers’ residence, 2276 Kesler Road, Carnesville.
Habersham Authorities executed arrest warrants for violations of the Georgia Rackteer Influence and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) for:
- Ashley Sosebee 25, of Alto
- Jordan Flanagan, 25, of Alto
- Brandon Burton, 25, of Cornelia
- Dustin Thomas, 22, of Alto
- Grant Martin, 21, of Cornelia
- Jessica Hancock, 23, of Clarkesville
- Patricia Blacklock, 20, of Gainesville
Habersham Authorities also executed arrest warrants for the following people:
1. Cole Dalton, 19, of Alto – Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin
2. Bud Heaton, 76, of Baldwin – Sale of Controlled Substances Schedule II (Oxycodone), Possession Schedule II With Intent to Distribute Oxycodone
3. James Heumaneus, 48, of Cornelia – Sale of Controlled Substances Schedule II (Oxycodone)
4. Janie Rogers, 49, of Carnesville – Sale of Schedule II (Oxycodone), Possession of Marijuana Less Than One Ounce, Possession of Controlled Substance Schedule II (Oxycodone)
5. Karen Shope, 40, of Baldwin – Sale of Controlled Substance Schedule I (Methamphetamine) x 2. Shope has not been arrested yet.
6. Tina Smelcer, 47, of Cornelia – Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance
7. Tilynn Ivester, 49, of Baldwin – Possession of Schedule IV Controlled Substance
8. Brandi Freeman, 33, of Mt. Airy – Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute and Abandonment of Dangerous Drugs
9. James Chadrick Harrelson, 35, of Mt. Airy –Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute and Abandonment of Dangerous Drugs
10. Jacqueline Galliher, 44, of Mt. Airy – Possession of Controlled Substance Schedule IV and Possession of Schedule II
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County and Franklin County, along with the Cleveland Police Department, Lavonia Police Department, the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety,, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
