EASTANOLLEE, Ga. — A Stephens County man is behind bars after deputies discovered a trafficking amount of methamphetamine and packaged marijuana during a welfare check Friday afternoon, authorities said.
Deputies with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office responded around 2:21 p.m. Jan. 16 to a residence on Racetrack Road in Eastanollee to conduct a welfare check. While on scene, deputies received information indicating Steven Savage, 61, was involved in the distribution of methamphetamine and marijuana in Stephens County.
Investigators with the sheriff’s office Criminal Investigations Division Crime Suppression Unit were familiar with Savage, who was on felony probation stemming from a prior conviction for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. As part of that sentence, Savage had waived his Fourth Amendment protections against search and seizure, authorities said.
Deputies and investigators then went to Savage’s nearby residence, where a search uncovered 1.31 ounces of suspected methamphetamine and 1.23 ounces of marijuana. Investigators said the drugs were divided into smaller baggies, indicating they were packaged for sale. A digital scale was also recovered.
Savage was arrested without incident and transported to the Stephens County Jail. He is charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and felony possession of marijuana.
A Stephens County magistrate judge denied bond, and Savage remains in custody.
Sheriff Rusty Fulbright credited the sheriff’s office Crime Suppression Unit, Uniform Patrol Division and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office for their work on the case.
“The safety of Stephens County is our top priority,” Fulbright said. “We are committed to protecting our residents through the diligent pursuit and prosecution of those involved in the illicit drug trade.”
Anyone with information about illegal drug activity in Stephens County is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office tip line at 706-886-7048, submit a tip through the sheriff’s office mobile app, or use the GBI See Something, Send Something app.
