Traffic stop leads to meth trafficking arrest in Stephens County

TOCCOA — A late-night traffic stop Sunday led to the arrest of an Eastanollee man on methamphetamine trafficking and other drug-related charges, according to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies conducted the stop at about 11:47 p.m. June 7 on a white Ford truck traveling along Highway 17 near the Toccoa Bypass. During the stop, deputies made contact with the driver, identified as 43-year-old Timothy Pace of Eastanollee.

According to authorities, Pace exhibited “extremely nervous behavior” and was seen moving multiple objects inside the vehicle. Deputies asked him to exit the truck and conducted a pat-down for officer safety. While doing so, deputies recovered a pill bottle that had been in Pace’s hand when he exited the vehicle.

Inside the bottle, deputies reported finding multiple white pills and plastic baggies containing suspected methamphetamine. The white pills were later identified as suspected Xanax.

A subsequent search of the vehicle turned up additional suspected drugs and paraphernalia, including approximately $400 in cash, a box containing a large quantity of suspected methamphetamine, four purple pills suspected to be tramadol, a needle containing suspected liquid methamphetamine, and a grinder containing suspected marijuana.

In total, deputies said approximately 30.2 grams of suspected methamphetamine were removed from the vehicle.

Pace was arrested and transported to the Stephens County Detention Center without incident. He is charged with trafficking methamphetamine, illegal possession of Schedule II controlled substances, possession and use of drug-related objects, possession of marijuana less than one ounce, prescription drugs not in original container, and probation violation.

He was denied bond by a Stephens County Magistrate Court judge and remains in custody.

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office said it remains committed to curbing the flow of illegal drugs in the county and encouraged residents to report suspected narcotics activity through its CID tip line at 706-886-7048 or via its mobile app.