A former Habersham County Detention Center dispatcher is behind bars after being charged for allegedly smuggling methamphetamine into jail for two inmates.
27-year-old Melanie Zeigler of Mt. Airy was arrested Tuesday. A press release from the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office says ARDEO agents were called in to investigate after the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office received information “that one of their own was smuggling illegal narcotics into the Habersham County Detention Center.”
The investigation revealed Zeigler had smuggled methamphetamine into the Detention Center for two inmates. Those inmates are identified as 37-year-old Sherman Lee Fitzwater of Alto and 29-year-old Shawn Donald Bowden of Mt. Airy.
ARDEO Special Agent in Charge Mitchell Posey says the investigation revealed that Zeigler received the illegal narcotics from 28-year-old Benjamin Spencer Smith of Demorest and 42-year-old Pebbles Elana Daniel of Clarkesville. He adds, “The investigation revealed Zeigler smuggled approximately one to three grams of methamphetamine into the Detention Center on one or two previous occasions.”
Zeigler had worked at the Habersham County jail since June 2016, according to Posey. He says she’s since been fired. She’s charged with distribution of methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, transport of contraband across guard line, and violation of oath of office. She’s being held at the White County Detention Center.
Fitzwater, Bowden, Smith and Daniel are each charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to transport contraband across the guard line, and distribution of methamphetamine.
Like Ziegler, Fitzwater, Bowden and Smith, were arrested and transported to different neighboring detention centers.
Daniel has not been arrested and is considered a fugitive from justice. If you have seen Daniel or have any information on her, please call the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office at 706-839-0525 or 706-839-0500 or the ARDEO at 1-800-597-8477.
This article has been updated to include the correct spelling of Pebbles Elana Daniel’s name
