Dodge County sheriff’s deputies searched a residence on Airport Road back in May. Deputies and sheriff’s investigators seized a crop of approximately twenty five (25) marijuana plants and a firearm from the residence. Sheriff’s narcotic investigators obtained arrest warrants on the occupant of the residence who was not home at the time the search was conducted. On Thursday June 2, law enforcement officials served the arrest warrant on the suspect at a traffic safety checkpoint on the Airport Road. The suspect, Brian Miller (age 36) of Eastman, was a passenger in a vehicle that came through the traffic safety check point. Miller has been charged with manufacturing marijuana and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sheriff’s deputies made two other arrests for marijuana the following day on June 3 in the Cottondale area. Deputies arrested David Wayne Odom (age 46), and Michael McCook (age 48), both of Eastman. Both Odom and McCook were charged with possession of marijuana.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) rangers notified Dodge County sheriff’s investigators a couple of weeks ago that a bass boat reported stolen in Dodge County back in 2008 had been recovered in Jones County. DNR rangers discovered the stolen boat when someone attempted to register the boat with the DNR. Sheriff’s investigators began investigating how the person came into possession of the boat. Sheriff’s investigators determined that the boat had been purchased from another individual. Sheriff’s investigators state the investigation revealed that the boat changed possession at least three (3) times. Investigators were able to determine the primary suspect who allegedly stole the boat from a local shop. However, investigators state that no charges will be filed in the case because the primary suspect from the theft in 2008 is now deceased. The boat has been returned to its owner in Dodge County.
The Dodge County sheriff’s office has received numerous reports of thefts of metal and copper from the air conditioning units of several rural Dodge County churches. The thieves are also cutting the copper tubing from propane tanks that lead into the buildings. The thieves have also hit a rural voting precinct, a rural volunteer fire department and some rural rental homes in the county recently. Other surrounding counties have also experienced a recent upsurge in metal thefts from rural churches. Dodge County Sheriff Jeff Hinson is requesting the public’s help in catching the thieves. Citizens can immediately call 911 and report suspicious vehicles and persons. Sheriff Hinson stated that citizens can also confidentially report persons and criminal activity to any sheriff’s investigator, deputy, or to himself.
