Press Releases

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SHERIFF WARNS OF TEXT DOCUMENT SCAM:
Monday, July 14, 2025…

GCSO has received a report of an elaborate text scam wherein the victim received a text message purporting to be an official legal document. The document threatens the recipient with arrest for “contempt of court” and “ failure to appear “, referencing COVID19 and the CARES Act. It also contains a mishmash of legalistic language from different levels of courts, fake case numbers, stamps, and a hybrid flag. It even had a GCSO logo (available from the internet) attached.
If anyone else receives such a text document, do not contact the sender.
If the Sheriff’s Office has any type of court document whatsoever, it will ALWAYS be delivered by hand, by a uniformed deputy in a clearly marked patrol car.
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SHERIFF WARNS OF TEXT DOCUMENT SCAM:
Monday, July 14, 2025…

GCSO has received a report of an elaborate text scam wherein the victim received a text message purporting to be an official legal document. The document threatens the recipient with arrest for “contempt of court” and “ failure to appear “, referencing COVID19 and the CARES Act. It also contains a mishmash of legalistic language from different levels of courts, fake case numbers, stamps, and a hybrid flag. It even had a GCSO logo (available from the internet) attached.
If anyone else receives such a text document, do not contact the sender.
If the Sheriff’s Office has any type of court document whatsoever, it will ALWAYS be delivered by hand, by a uniformed deputy in a clearly marked patrol car.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Sheriff Warns of Telephone Scammers Posing as Deputies:

GCSO has responded to a number of reports of our local citizens receiving telephone calls from persons purporting to be deputy sheriffs and demanding payment of fictitious “fines” and/or jury duty. The scammers threaten the victims with “bench warrants “ and/or jail.
This is a total fraud, designed to lure the unsuspecting citizen into sending money to a fictitious destination, usually via the internet.
We have reason to believe these calls originate overseas.
The Sheriff’s Office NEVER collects fines. If we have court related business with anyone the matter is always handled in person by a deputy in uniform and in a clearly marked patrol car.
If you receive ANY type of suspicious call, NEVER give out any kind of personal or financial information,
JUST HANG UP.
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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT 
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Sheriff Warns of Telephone Scammers Posing as Deputies:

GCSO has responded to a number of reports of our local citizens receiving telephone calls from persons purporting to be deputy sheriffs and demanding payment of fictitious “fines” and/or jury duty. The scammers threaten the victims with “bench warrants “ and/or jail. 
This is a total fraud, designed to lure the unsuspecting citizen into sending money to a fictitious destination, usually via the internet.
We have reason to believe these calls originate overseas.
The Sheriff’s Office NEVER collects fines. If we have court related business with anyone the matter is always handled in person by a deputy in uniform and in a clearly marked patrol car.
If you receive ANY type of suspicious call, NEVER give out any kind of personal or financial information, 
JUST HANG UP.

NEW C.H.A.M.P.S. Instructor …
July 1, 2025

Sheriff Mitch Ralston announces the assignment of Deputy Erik Ochoa as the newest instructor in the Sheriff’s Office’s C.H.A.M.P.S. (Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety)Program. The program, developed by the Georgia Sheriffs Association, is provided to all of the public elementary schools, focusing on topics such as internet safety, substance abuse, peer pressure, ATV safety, and a host of other subjects. It is taught in over 100 Georgia counties by their respective Sheriff’s Offices.
Pictured here: (left to right) Brent Loeffler, GSA Training Director, ‘Champ’ the mascot, Deputy Ochoa, and Fannin County Sheriff’s Captain Darvin Couch presenting Deputy Ochoa’s instructors certificate.
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NEW C.H.A.M.P.S. Instructor …
July 1, 2025

Sheriff Mitch Ralston announces the assignment of Deputy Erik Ochoa as the newest instructor in the Sheriff’s Office’s C.H.A.M.P.S. (Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety)Program. The program, developed by the Georgia Sheriffs Association, is provided to all of the public elementary schools, focusing on topics such as internet safety, substance abuse, peer pressure, ATV safety, and a host of other subjects. It is taught in over 100 Georgia counties by their respective Sheriff’s Offices.
Pictured here:  (left to right) Brent Loeffler, GSA Training Director, ‘Champ’ the mascot, Deputy Ochoa, and Fannin County Sheriff’s Captain Darvin Couch presenting Deputy Ochoa’s instructors certificate.

SHERIFF MOURNS LOSS OF CLIFFORD FREE, Longtime Public Safety Leader and Pastor:
Saturday, June 28, 2025

Sheriff Mitch Ralston joined the community in mourning the passing of Reverend Clifford Free. Reverend Free was popular and well known, and was a leader for many years in the emergency medical services and emergency management services here. Sheriff Ralston said, “I knew Clifford my whole life. He was very active in public safety for decades. He was not only a dedicated public servant, he was a true servant of the Lord. I will miss his cheerfulness, his laughter, and his readiness to serve others whenever he could. He was a fine friend, and the thoughts and prayers of my staff and myself are with his loved ones.”
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SHERIFF MOURNS LOSS OF CLIFFORD FREE, Longtime Public Safety Leader and Pastor:
Saturday, June 28, 2025

Sheriff Mitch Ralston joined the community in mourning the passing of Reverend Clifford Free. Reverend Free was popular and well known, and was a leader for many years in the emergency medical services and emergency management services here. Sheriff Ralston said, “I knew Clifford my whole life. He was very active in public safety for decades. He was not only a dedicated public servant, he was a true servant of the Lord. I will miss his cheerfulness, his laughter, and his readiness to serve others whenever he could. He was a fine friend, and the thoughts and prayers of my staff and myself are with his loved ones.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Deputy Commended for Burglary-in-Progress Arrest, Recovery of Stolen Property:
Yesterday (Friday, June 27, 2025) Sheriff Mitch Ralston awarded a Sheriff’s Commendation Medal to Deputy Ben Turner, in recognition of an arrest in the early morning hours on June 24, wherein Deputy Turner apprehended a Plainville woman involved in a number of break-ins at a self storage facility. The facility was located near Plainville, and Turner was patrolling particularly to detect and prevent such crimes. Follow up investigation by our detectives resulted in two additional charges against the defendant in connection with two unrelated residential burglaries. A large amount of stolen property was also recovered. Sheriff Ralston praised Turner’s “alertness and patrol skills”.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Deputy Commended for Burglary-in-Progress Arrest, Recovery of Stolen Property:
Yesterday (Friday, June 27, 2025) Sheriff Mitch Ralston awarded a Sheriff’s Commendation Medal to Deputy Ben Turner, in recognition of an arrest in the early morning hours on June 24, wherein Deputy Turner apprehended a Plainville woman involved in a number of break-ins at a self storage facility. The facility was located near Plainville, and Turner was patrolling particularly to detect and prevent such crimes. Follow up investigation by our detectives resulted in two additional charges against the defendant in connection with two unrelated residential burglaries. A large amount of stolen property was also recovered. Sheriff Ralston praised Turner’s “alertness and patrol skills”.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
WELL KNOWN S.R.O. Retires:

Yesterday (Friday, June 27) Sheriff Mitch Ralston awarded Sergeant Elbert Shelley the Distinguished Service Cross, and an appreciation plaque, upon his retirement from GCSO. Elbert served from 2009 until now. From 2012 until retirement, he was a School Resource Officer in the County Schools. He was well known, liked, and respected by the school staff, students, and the public.
Elbert had an impeccable service record and he will be missed not only in the schools but by his colleagues. Sheriff Ralston praised Elbert, particularly his dedication to the community in a variety of roles. We wish Elbert all the best in his retirement.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
WELL KNOWN S.R.O. Retires:

Yesterday (Friday, June 27) Sheriff Mitch Ralston awarded Sergeant Elbert Shelley the Distinguished Service Cross, and an appreciation plaque, upon his retirement from GCSO. Elbert served from 2009 until now. From 2012 until retirement, he was a School Resource Officer in the County Schools. He was well known, liked, and respected by the school staff, students, and the public.
Elbert had an impeccable service record and he will be missed not only in the schools but by his colleagues. Sheriff Ralston praised Elbert, particularly his dedication to the community in a variety of roles. We wish Elbert all the best in his retirement.

SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER TRAINING…
Monday, June 22, 2025

Captain Jack Jenkins recently attended the Georgia School Safety and Homeland Security Conference June 16-18. The training was focused on school resource officers, and topics included “Lessons Learned From September 4th”, “Gang Awareness in Schools”, and “Role of the SRO and Relationships with School Administrations”. Captain Jenkins supervises the Sheriff’s SRO program, a position he has occupied since 2010.
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SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER TRAINING…
Monday, June 22, 2025

Captain Jack Jenkins recently attended the Georgia School Safety and  Homeland Security Conference June 16-18. The training was focused on school resource officers, and topics included “Lessons Learned From September 4th”, “Gang Awareness in Schools”, and “Role of the SRO and Relationships with School Administrations”. Captain Jenkins supervises the Sheriff’s SRO program, a position he has occupied since 2010.

UPDATE …UPDATE…UPDATE :
4:30pm Sunday , June 22, 2025
JEREMY PEEBLES has been located SAFE.

MISSING PERSON:
Sunday, June 22, 2025

Gordon County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) needs the public’s help in locating JEREMY PEEBLES, age 45, 5’10”, 200 lbs, brown hair/hazel eyes, last seen wearing a black hoodie, jeans or khakis, and white athletic shoes. He was reported missing at 1:30pm today. He reportedly left his residence voluntarily, on foot, at about 2am this morning , and was last seen in the vicinity of 1386 US Highway 41 North near Calhoun. Anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of JEREMY PEEBLES is urged to call GCSO or 911.
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UPDATE …UPDATE…UPDATE :
4:30pm Sunday , June 22, 2025
JEREMY PEEBLES has been located SAFE.

MISSING PERSON:
Sunday, June 22, 2025

Gordon County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) needs the public’s help in locating JEREMY PEEBLES, age 45, 5’10”, 200 lbs, brown hair/hazel eyes, last seen wearing a black hoodie, jeans or khakis, and white athletic shoes. He was reported missing at 1:30pm today. He reportedly left his residence voluntarily, on foot, at about 2am this morning , and was last seen in the vicinity of 1386 US Highway 41 North near Calhoun. Anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of JEREMY PEEBLES is urged to call GCSO or 911.

MISSING PERSON:

‼️‼️UPDATE‼️‼️

We are pleased to share that Zachary Kelley has been located and is safe. Authorities have confirmed that there is no cause for concern. We deeply appreciate the support, concern, and assistance from the community during this time.

Thank you all for your continued support and understanding.

GCSO needs the public’s help in finding ZACHARY KELLEY.
Zachary was reported missing to us this afternoon (June 20). He was last seen at about 3pm yesterday (June 19) at/near his place of employment on Wellco Drive in Calhoun, walking on the roadway. Zachary was possibly seen walking on Lovers Lane later yesterday evening as well. He is 5’08”, about 145 lbs, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of ZACHARY KELLEY is urged to call the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office or 911.
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MISSING PERSON:

‼️‼️UPDATE‼️‼️

We are pleased to share that Zachary Kelley has been located and is safe. Authorities have confirmed that there is no cause for concern. We deeply appreciate the support, concern, and assistance from the community during this time.

Thank you all for your continued support and understanding.

GCSO needs the public’s help in finding ZACHARY KELLEY.
Zachary was reported missing to us this afternoon (June 20). He was last seen at about 3pm yesterday (June 19) at/near his place of employment on Wellco Drive in Calhoun, walking on the roadway. Zachary was possibly seen walking on Lovers Lane later yesterday evening as well. He is 5’08”, about 145 lbs, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of ZACHARY KELLEY is urged to call the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office or 911.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Sheriff Shuts Down Methamphetamine Conversion Lab :
Friday, June 13, 2025
In May, Sheriff’s detectives in the Drug Enforcement Unit initiated an investigation into a report of a methamphetamine trafficking operation on Tara Drive near Calhoun.
Yesterday (June 12) afternoon , Sheriff’s detectives and Probation/Parole officers from the local office of the Department of Community Supervision searched a private residence at 200 Tara Drive as part of this investigation .
The detectives uncovered a large amount of solid crystal methamphetamine , and a very large amount of liquid methamphetamine. They also found the elements of the “laboratory” wherein the liquified methamphetamine is converted to a solid to be trafficked. The detectives also found cocaine, and psilocybin mushrooms, a hallucinogenic substance. They arrested the occupant of the home, one Tracy Van McEntyre, age 62, of Tara Drive. He was charged with Manufacturing and Trafficking Methamphetamine and a host of other drug related offenses. Jail records indicate McEntyre has been arrested over ten times, and has been convicted of drug trafficking at least twice.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Sheriff Shuts Down Methamphetamine Conversion Lab :
Friday, June 13, 2025
In May, Sheriff’s detectives in the Drug Enforcement Unit initiated an investigation into a report of a methamphetamine trafficking operation on Tara Drive near Calhoun.
Yesterday (June 12) afternoon , Sheriff’s detectives and Probation/Parole officers from the local office of the Department of Community Supervision searched a private residence at 200 Tara Drive as part of this investigation .
The detectives uncovered a large amount of solid crystal methamphetamine , and a very large amount of liquid methamphetamine. They also found the elements of the “laboratory” wherein the liquified methamphetamine is converted to a solid to be trafficked. The detectives also found cocaine, and psilocybin mushrooms, a hallucinogenic substance. They arrested the occupant of the home, one Tracy Van McEntyre, age 62, of Tara Drive. He was charged with Manufacturing and Trafficking Methamphetamine and a host of other drug related offenses. Jail records indicate McEntyre has been arrested over ten times, and has been convicted of drug trafficking at least twice.
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