Athens man faces drug charges after chase

Omar Schariff Mattox, 31, of 340 Sartain Drive, was charged with fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, reckless driving, possession, manufacture, distribution, etc. violation of Georgia’s Controlled Substance Act (VGCSA) marijuana, unlawful possession of a firearm or weapons, possession, manufacture, distribution, etc. cocaine, obstruction of an officer, adult restraint law seat belt, obstructing an intersection and trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs or marijuana; penalties.

According to the incident report, while on patrol, Deputy Michael Moore made contact with Mattox’s 2006 Dodge Magnum while it was sitting at the end of West Street, blocking an intersection with its headlights off. As he approached the car, the lights came on and the vehicle turned on to West Street. Deputy Moore stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Omar Mattox. Mattox said he did not have his driver’s license with him and the deputy noted a strong odor of marijuana.

When he mentioned this to Mattox, he reportedly began to shake and became extremely nervous. At that point, Moore stepped away from the car and called for backup. When backup arrived, Mattox sped off with the deputies in pursuit. Mattox reportedly led the deputies down West Street, taking up both lanes of the curvy road and sliding sideways through curves before stopping at a residence and fleeing on foot. Mattox reportedly threw a baggie near a building as he was pursued by the deputies. After an attempt to taser him, Mattox allegedly dove to the ground and said he was giving up.

The K-9 officer was called to assist in locating the bag.

Deputies reportedly found a 2.5 gallon bag with suspected marijuana, a baggie with a off white rock-like substance, another baggie with a off white granular substance, over $1,600 in cash and a hand gun during a search of his vehicle and the area.

In another arrest, Heather Lanee Searcy, 24, of 3737 Spratlin Mill Road, Hull, was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, fleeing or attempting to elude and disorderly conduct following an incident at the Ingles gas station on Hwy. 29 South Thursday evening.

Other arrests on file at the sheriff’s office recently included:

•Stacy Labrund Allen, 32, 1474 East Paoli Road, Carlton, parole violation (original charge: possession of cocaine).

•Jermain Morese Barnes, 28, 6081 New Franklin Church Road, Canon, probation violation (original charge: possession of cocaine, marijuana).

•Joe Carlson Miller, 39, 817 Hwy. 174, Danielsville, bondsman off bond (operation of a vehicle with improper plate; possession manufacture distribution, etc. VGCS methamphetamine, drug-related objects, no insurance and driving while tag is suspended.

•Jimmy Charles Simmons, 59, 1546 Griffith Road, Colbert, reckless conduct, pointing or aiming gun or pistol at another and possession of arms by a convicted felon and first offender probation.

•Tony James Tucker, 34, 543 Rogers Mill Road, Danielsville, no insurance, driving while tag is suspended, faiure to appear (original charge: speeding), bench warrant (original charge: deposit account fraud) and hold for Clarke County.

•Jose Perales Acosta, 24, 1465 Hwy. 29 North, Athens, speeding, remove or affix plate to conceal, expired vehicle tag or decal, driving without a license and violation of window tint law.

•Justin Tony Atkinson, 20, 138 Detter Road, Canon, speeding and reckless driving.

•Jeffery Todd Baker, 45, 214 Troy Street, Commerce, DUI, expired vehicle tag or decal, following too closely, driving with no license on person and remove or affix plate to conceal.

•Dustin Lewis Casper, 17, 95 Piedmont Park, Hull, criminal trespass FVA.

•Pamela Sprayberry Cheek, 48, 223 Swamp Guinea Road, Colbert, DUI and driving with no license on person. (GSP)

•Phillip Warren Dorminy, 47, 737 Paoli Road, Carlton, sex offender registration.

•Carla Marie Evans, 39, 1151 McDonald Circle, Commerce, giving false information or false name, DUI and possession, manufacture, distribution, etc. VGCS.

•Clint Lee Flanigan, 34, 803 Willis Glen Road, Hull, driving while license withdrawn and failure to stop for a stop sign.

•Justin Michael Gowan, 19, 1700 Sorrow Patterson Road, Colbert, driving while license withdrawn and expired vehicle tag or decal. (Comer PD)

•Mary Shellie Highland, 32, 98 Hudson River Church Road, Ila, driving while license withdrawn and failure to obey at stop sign.

•Kristi Jo Hodge, 40, 1595 Cherokee Road, Winterville, DUI.

•Corbin Brent Kittle, 35, 247 Crabapple Hollow Road, Hull, possession of arms by a convicted felon.

•Jodi Lee, 48, 1686 Sorrow Patterson Road, Colbert, deposit account fraud.

•Michael Loy Martin, 35, 2182 Lem Edwards Road, Colbert, illegal possession of controlled substance and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.

•Paulo Mireles, 45, 1107 Old Elberton Road, Hull, violation of window tint law, driving without a license and tail lights required.

•Tammy Nyoka Mitchell, 40, 185 Piedmont Road, Hull, bench warrant (deposit account fraud).

•Adan Perezlias, 24, 1495 Hwy. 29 North, Athens, speeding and driving while license withdrawn.

•Edelmiro Escobedo Quiroz, 29, 286 Piedmont Park, Hull, driving without a license.

•Chad Alan Smith, 19, 1739 Old Elberton Road, Hull, expired vehicle tag or decal, tires and no insurance.

•Timothy Todd Standridge, 39, 500 Aycock Road, Lexington, operation of a vehicle with improper tag, no insurance, driving while license withdrawn and expired vehicle tag or decal.

•James Edward Tarpkins, 52, 1166 W.L. Williams Road, Commerce, deposit account fraud.