Press Releases
Plainville Woman Arrested for Drug Trafficking
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Sheriff Mitch Ralston Reports:
After a 2 month investigation, Sheriff’s detectives from the GCSO Drug Enforcement Unit conducted a search of a home on Moore’ Ferry Road this morning. They discovered a large quantity of methamphetamine for distribution, marijuana for distribution, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and anabolic steroids. They arrested the occupant, April Kuykendall, age 36, of 383 Moore’ Ferry Road Plainville. She is charged with a variety of drug trafficking and distribution offenses. She was currently serving a probation sentence for prior drug related convictions.
Local Man Arrested For Aggravated Assault, Domestic Violence, and Weapons Violation
Thursday , December 11, 2025
Sheriff Mitch Ralston Reports:
At about 4am this morning, deputy sheriffs were dispatched to a private residence on Brooksmill Drive in response to a report of an assault involving a firearm. Deputies arrived and subsequently arrested JUSTIN E. FOX, age 32, of 118 Brooksmill Drive, and charged him with Aggravated Assault, Battery (Family Violence Act), Cruelty to Children, and Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm, stemming from an assault against his wife. A number of minor children were present in the home at the time. The weapon reported to have been used in this incident was located and seized by the officers. FOX remains in custody at the County Jail.
Monday, December 8, 2025
GCSO has received reports from citizens who’ve received scam telephone calls today. The bogus callers claim to be deputy sheriffs, and have used actual deputies’ names, which are readily available online. The caller tells the intended victim that he or she has missed a fictitious court appearance and demands payment to avoid arrest.
THIS IS A SCAM.
JUST HANG UP.
NEVER give personal and/or financial information to anyone that you do not know personally.
Ever.
JUST HANG UP.
Sheriff Ralston Welcomes Two Newest Deputy Sheriffs:
Monday , November 24, 2025:
On Friday, November 21, two GCSO staff members graduated from the Basic Law Enforcement Training Course (BLETC) at the Regional Police Academy in Rome. The Course is 20 weeks, and certifies cadets as Basic (Georgia) Peace Officers.
Pictured here (left to right): Deputy Warren King, Deputy Tyler Cooper, and Sheriff Mitch Ralston. Deputy Cooper served as his Academy class president, and Deputy King as vice president. Deputy King was also awarded the class guidon (identification flag) by the Academy training staff for exemplary service.
URGENT 🚨
WANTED FUGITIVE
Saturday, November 15, 2025
U P D A T E 🚨 ! !
FUGITIVE IN CUSTODY
Sunday, November 16, 2025
CHARLES TIMOTHY BATTLES is IN CUSTODY.
BATTLES was arrested by deputy sheriffs a short time ago inside a private residence near the Scottsville community, with the invaluable help of our private citizens. He was surprised by the arresting officers and apprehended without incident. He faces charges of Attempted Murder, Arson, and Aggravated Stalking.
BATTLES, who was previously arrested by GCSO for Aggravated Stalking, had pled guilty in Superior Court in October and was serving a sentence of probation at the time of these most recent events. Sheriff Ralston thanked his staff, the Calhoun Police, the State Fire Marshal’s Office for all their hard work, and particularly the private citizens who provided critical information to GCSO. “It was important that this matter be resolved quickly given the nature and severity of these crimes . Everyone involved worked around the clock to bring this defendant in, and now he will be held accountable in our courts.”, said Sheriff Ralston.
U P D A T E…
Saturday , November 15, 9pm
UPDATE: Investigating Sheriff’s detectives have filed additional charges of (2 counts) of Attempted Murder and Arson against CHARLES TIMOTHY BATTLES.. At about 6am this morning, deputy sheriffs, along with Gordon County Fire Rescue responded to the scene of a residential structure fire on Johnson Drive. The home was occupied at the time by a woman and a small child, who barely escaped with their lives. The structure was destroyed. Detectives have recovered an abundance of evidence: physical, electronic, and testimonial, linking BATTLES to the crime. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is activly assisting in this case. An intensive search is underway for BATTLES, who is still at large. Anyone with knowledge of BATTLES’ whereabouts is urged to call 911.
GCSO needs the public’s help in locating CHARLES TIMOTHY BATTLES white/male, age 46, 5’07” / 200 lbs,
wanted for AGGRAVATED STALKING and other offenses. Last seen in the vicinity of Johnson Drive / Boone Ford Road around 6am this morning. He has no fixed address, and is believed to be traveling on foot. He is considered dangerous. Anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of CHARLES TIMOTHY BATTLES is urged to call 91
Thursday , November 13, 2025 2:30pm
GCSO, Fire/Rescue, and the Coroner’s Office are on the scene of a commercial accident at a business on State Route 136 in Nickelsville wherein a fatality has occurred. There is a single victim, and no foul play is suspected.
The investigation is being led by the Coroner’s Office.
TWO MONTH METH TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATION NETS 2 ARRESTS OF LONG TERM OFFENDERS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
November 11, 2025
Sheriff Mitch Ralston Reports:
In September (2025), Sheriff’s Drug Enforcement detectives initiated an investigation into reports of methamphetamine trafficking at a private residence on Landon Court near Calhoun. On the evening of October 23, deputy sheriffs stopped and arrested BRUCE STERLING PEACE, age 63, who reported an address in Trion, Georgia, on Dews Pond Road near Calhoun, finding him in possession of a large amount of methamphetamine. He was taken into custody and lodged in the county jail without incident.
Continuing their investigation, on the evening of November 6, deputy sheriffs stopped and arrested MICHAEL SIMPSON, age 66, of 129 Landon Court, at a convenience store in the Scottsville community, finding him in possession of a large quantity of methamphetamine as well. SIMPSON was apprehended without incident and lodged in jail with his codefendant.
Both men have been charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine and related offenses, and are awaiting court appearances. PEACE is currently serving (on probation) a 40 year sentence for Manufacturing Methamphetamine from a 2002 conviction in Chattooga County. SIMPSON has a criminal history dating back to at least 1989, with 9 arrests/convictions for drug related offenses.
Both men remain in custody as of this release
(Photos: Left: Michael Simpson and Right: Bruce Peace)
“On behalf of my Office and my entire staff, l want to thank all Veterans in our community for their service, their sacrifices, their bravery, and their patriotism in serving our great nation. They are the reason we enjoy our freedom and opportunity. I wish them all the happiest of days. God Bless.”
Sheriff Mitch Ralston
SCAM ALERT 🚨
Urgent‼️
Saturday, November 1, 2025
GCSO has received reports that people with family members who have been arrested have received telephone calls from persons posing as Jail staff members. The scam caller will offer to arrange bail / bond via “Venmo” or “Zelle”. The caller might even use the name of an actual staff membe (available from internet sources).
THIS IS NOT LEGITIMATE.
Bail / Bonds are NEVER solicited/received by any electronic means.
DO NOT send funds intended for bail / bond by electronic means.
If you receive such a call, report it to GCSO.
Our Detectives Division is actively investigating this matter.
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