Drug Deal Gone Bad, Gunfire Exchanged

The following press release has been issued by Clay County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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On Saturday August 19, 2017, Clay County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a suspicious incident, where a man said he was being shot at, in the area of Trout Cove Road in Brasstown.
 
When deputies arrived they spoke with Dontavious Carruth who said he and some friends had gotten into a verbal altercation with several subjects and when they tried to leave the other subjects started shooting at them. Carruth was able to give a description of some of the other men, and was able to lead deputies to the area where this occurred. Sheriff Vic Davis said, when deputies arrived there they began to speak with the other involved and soon discovered drugs in plain sight and the facts that everyone’s stories were not matching up.
 
Dontavious Carruth, 24 of Athens, Ga, was arrested and charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill. He is currently being held in the Clay County Detention Center under a $50,000 bond with a September 11, 2017, court date.
 
Fernando Benitez, 21 of Athens, Ga, was arrested and charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill. He is currently being held in the Clay County Detention Center under a $50,000 bond with a September 11, 2017, court date.
 
Larry Hogan, 54 of Brasstown, was arrested and charged with First Degree Kidnapping, Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, Discharge a Weapon into Occupied Dwelling or Vehicle, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill. He is currently being held in the Clay County Detention Center under a $50,000 bond with a September 11, 2017, court date.
 
Jack Shook, 53 of Young Harris, was arrested and charged with First Degree Kidnapping, Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, Discharge a Weapon into Occupied Dwelling or Vehicle, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill. He is currently being held in the Clay County Detention Center under a $50,000 bond with a September 11, 2017, court date.
 
Thomas Charles, 32 of Brasstown, was arrested and charged with Felony Accessory After the Fact in conjunction with the other charges. He is currently being held in the Clay County Detention Center under a $10,000 bond with a September 11, 2017, court date.
 
Sheriff Davis said it appears that the whole incident occurred over a drug deal gone bad and one group went to confront another group over monies owed which led to a gun fire being exchanged by both groups. This incident is still under investigation and further information will be released as it is available. Sheriff Davis also said a search warrant was executed at the location where this incident occurred and other charges are pending from it as well.