Six Charged in Jail Contraband Investigation

Six people face charges in connection to allegations of smuggling contraband into the Stephens County Jail.

According to Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, his office recently wrapped up a three-week long investigation into people conspiring to get contraband into the jail.

Shirley said that deputies received reports from citizens and inmates alike about a group of people who were arranging for items to be dropped in and around the jail.

The sheriff went on to say that shortly after receiving the first report, deputies recovered a package outside of the jail containing contraband.

He said this started the investigation.

“Upon learning that information, my investigators spent some time listening to recorded conversations of inmates and were able to determine the day and an approximate time that there would be a drop,” said Shirley. “My investigators started out early one Friday morning conducting surveillance that went all day long past 6 p.m.”

Shirley said that during the course of the surveillance, investigators observed a vehicle pull up to the drop location outside of the jail and an occupant of the vehicle toss the package to the location.

He went on to say deputies later retrieved the package and found that it contained most of the contraband that had been ordered during the phone calls.

According to the sheriff, arrest warrants were issued on six people as a result on charges of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony and Crossing a Guard Line with Contraband.

The individuals are identified by the Sheriff’s Office as 35-year-old Stephens County Inmate Anthony Nalley of Toccoa, 46-year-old Melanie Brock of Toccoa, 34-year-old Jeremy Holbrooks of Toccoa, 22-year-old George Thomas of Toccoa, 26-year-old Corey Holbrooks of Toccoa, and 30-year-old Christi Holbrooks of Carnesville.

Shirley said he hopes these arrests send a message about this sort of activity.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of this and I really appreciate the efforts of the investigators and jail staff,” said Shirley. “They did a fine job on this and hopefully it will put a stop to it.”

The sheriff went on to say that safety and security within the Stephens County Jail is very important to his office and investigations such as this, while unfortunate, ensure they are able to fulfill the duties of the Sheriff’s Office and keep inmates in custody safe.

Shirley added that people who conspire to bring items to the jail risk not only the safety of the inmates within the facility, but risk their own freedom by committing these crimes.