Four Arrested After Allegedly Fighting With Authorities

Four people face charges after allegedly engaging in a fight with Stephens County Sheriff’s Office deputies who found drugs when responding to their apartment.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said last Friday at about 2:30 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a residence at Fernpoint Apartments in reference to a physical domestic dispute that was reportedly in progress.

“When deputies arrived, they found the door of the apartment unlocked and no one would respond,” said Shirley. “Based on the nature of the call and the door being found unlocked, deputies decided to clear the apartment to make sure that no one was inside who might need assistance. When deputies entered the apartment, they noticed a quantity of marijuana along with digital scales and packaging material lying about the apartment in plain view.”

According to the sheriff, deputies secured the residence while they waited for a search warrant.

Shirley said two deputies stayed at the apartment to hold it while the others obtained a search warrant.

“While the two deputies were waiting, at least four males and one female forced their way into the apartment, assaulted the deputies, and began to remove items of evidence, such as the marijuana and scales from inside of the residence,” said Shirley. “The two deputies on scene struggled with the attackers but were overpowered because of the sheer number of people. One of the two deputies managed to reach their radio and call for back up.”

Shirley said within moments, back up units arrived and immediately got into a physical confrontation with two of the men still inside the apartment.

He went on to say both of those men were subdued and investigators began to sort out what had happened.

The sheriff said it was learned that a female with an infant in her arms had assisted three men in assaulting the deputies and attempting to remove evidence from the apartment.

Charged in this incident are 18-year-old De’londre’ H. Ramsey of Hartwell, 21-year-old Joshua T. Tate of Toccoa, 21-year-old Pervasia A. Craft of Toccoa and 19-year-old Derrez A. Lawrence of Hartwell.

Authorities said the charges include Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Felony Obstruction of an Officer, Tampering with Evidence, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, and Cruelty to Children in the third degree.

Shirley said Ramsey, Tate, and Craft were arrested on scene and taken to the Stephens County Jail, where at last report they were being held without bond.

He went on to say that warrants were issued for Lawrence’s arrest as he left the scene before deputies learned of his involvement.

The sheriff said this was one of the most brazen acts against law enforcement he has witnessed in his career.

“These young men and this woman attacked my deputies in an attempt to destroy the evidence of their previous crime,” said Shirley. “Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt and the only thing these people accomplished was adding to their list of felony charges.”