A convicted drug trafficker who was on probation is back in jail in North Georgia, facing another trafficking charge. Authorities arrested Christopher Messer, 55, of Blue Ridge, following a traffic stop.
According to Trent Hillsman with the GBI’s Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, Fannin County deputies pulled over a vehicle Messer was driving on July 17. They arrested him for driving on a suspended license.
While searching Messer’s vehicle, Hillsman says authorities seized approximately 60 grams of methamphetamine, an amount of marijuana, two firearms, and cash. He says Messer was on federal probation for drug trafficking and firearm offenses at the time of his arrest.
Deputies arrested Messer for possession of marijuana, trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of drug-related objects, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm during a felony.
Following Messer’s arrest, drug agents executed a search warrant at a residence in Blue Ridge connected to Messer. During that search, Hillsman says they seized approximately one gram of methamphetamine and several drug-related objects.
Agents arrested two people at the residence on outstanding warrants. Shawn Eady, 42, McCaysville, and Crystal Martin, 44, Blue Ridge, were each charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug-related objects.
Messer, Eady, and Martin were all booked into the Fannin County Detention Center.
The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation, which Hillsman says is ongoing.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) is a multi-agency unit that covers 30 North Georgia counties. Participating sheriff’s offices include White, Lumpkin, Banks, Jackson, Habersham, Stephens, Rabun, Franklin, Gilmer, and Fannin. Cleveland and Toccoa police also assist with the task force, along with the Georgia National Guard, State Patrol, Department of Community Supervision, and GBI.
To report drug activity, call GBI ARDEO at (706) 348-7410. You may also submit anonymous tips by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477), using the GBI tipline, or downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
