Man found dead in pond

Oct. 07--A 59-year-old Upson County man is believed to have drowned last week in a pond on his property. His body was taken to the state crime lab for autopsy to determine the cause of death

According to a press release from Upson County Sheriff Dan Kilgore.,deputies responded to Pallet Mill Road around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon to the scene of a drowning. Robert Paul Cox, age 59, of 69 Pallet Mill Rd was located in a pond behind his residence.

Mr. Cox had been observed by neighbors earlier in the afternoon swimming in the pond. The neighbors left and upon their return a short time later observed Cox to be face down and unresponsive in the water. Mr. Cox was pronounced dead at the scene.

Traffic fatality

Deputies responded to a traffic accident with a fatality on Delray Road near Rocky Bottom Rd Wednesday afternoon around 6:30 p.m. Freddie Crane, age 59, of Upson County was pronounced dead at the scene.

A release from Sheriff Kilgore stated that Crane, who was driving a a 1987 Toyota truck, crossed over the center line while travelling east and struck a 2011 Nissan Armada. The Nissan was driven by a 36- year-old female, and her three children, ages 12. 9, and 5, were passengers in the vehicle. The driver of the Nissan saw Crane's vehicle coming toward her and tried to leave her side of the roadway in an attempt to miss the truck. The vehicles hit head on off the roadway. Mr. Crane was killed instantly from the impact. The female driver and her children had minor injuries and were transported to Upson regional medical center by ambulance. The accident scene was turned over to the Georgia State Patrol and is currently under investigation.

Drug bust

On September 17, 2015 at approximately 1:30 a.m., officers from Upson County Sheriff's Office, Thomaston Police Department, Meriwether County Sheriff's Office and the Taylor County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at the residence of 1226 A Spring Lake Drive in Thomaston. During the search of the residence an approximate weight of 83.9 grams (3 ounces) of Methamphetamine was recovered inside of a safe that was in the interior of the residence along with multiple sets of digital scales and a glass smoking device. A .25 caliber handgun was also recovered at the residence during the search.

The following subjects were arrested and charged with Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act offenses:

Ronald Houston Nicholson, 43, of 1226 A Spring Lake Drive Thomaston, was arrested and charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine with intent to distribute, Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon, Possession of Firearm during the Commission of a Crime and 2 counts of Fraud in Obtaining Public Assistance Repayment.

Benajah Ross Wainwright, 50, of 1236 Delray Road Thomaston, was arrested and charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine with intent to distribute and Possession of Firearm during the Commission of a Crime.

Erica Lynn Sanders, 38, of 418 Rose Creek Road, The Rock, was arrested and charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine and Possession of Methamphetamine with intent to distribute

Angela Jo Tompkins, 51, of 435 B Street Thomaston, was arrested and charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine and Possession of Methamphetamine with intent to distribute

All subjects are currently being held at the Upson County Sheriff's Office Jail Division without bond.

Marijuana DUI

A Fayetteville woman was arrested and jailed in Upson County on September 24 for allegedly driving under the influence of suspected marijuana.

According to an incident report by Deputy Derric Pearson, he made a traffic stop on a white 1996 Dodge Ram on Highway 19 North near Delray Road about 2 a.m. after the driver failed to dim her headlights, then had them turn off and on again.

The driver, identified as Kathy Diane Storm, age 49, of Fayetteville, said she had a short in her lights. When Pearson asked for her license and proof of insurance, he stated in his report that her hands were shaking and he smelled the strong odor of burnt marijuana inside the vehicle. He asked her if she had smoked any marijuana, and she allegedly said she had smoked some about 3 p.m. on her way to work.

Dep. Pearson asked the woman for permission to search her vehicle, and she granted it. Other officers arrived to assist, and Dep. Gerren Vining performed Standardized Field Sobriety Testing on the woman while her vehicle was searched. Nothing was found in the vehicle, but the woman allegedly failed the sobriety testing. Dep. Vining said in the report that she had eyelid tremors and swayed in a circular motion while taking the test. Her tongue had raised red bumps and a green milky coating on it, and her eyes were bloodshot.

In his report, Dep. Pearson said he again asked her the last time she had smoked marijuana, and she allegedly admitted smoking the rest of the marijuana "roach" once she got off work and while driving homes. She also allegedly admitted to taking a Tylenol 3 with Codeine earlier in the day.

Dep. Pearson placed Storm under arrest for DUI -- Drugs, and also issued her citations for Failure to Dim Lights and Headlight requirement. After receiving her consent, he took her to Upson Regional Medical Center for a blood test to be performed, then to the Upson County Jail for booking. She was released later that day on $3,000 bond.

Larry Stanford may be reached at 706-647-5414 or on Twitter @LarryStanford7.

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