Three arrested for drugs and guns

The following press release has been issued by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced that February 16th, 2018 arrest of 19 year old Alicia Madison Brooks, of Blairsville Georgia, 32 year old Benjamin Dann Owens, of Blairsville Georgia, and 20 year old Jordan Taylor Hensley also of Blairsville Georgia for violations of the controlled substance statute and violation of various weapon statutes.

On February 16th, 2018 a narcotics detective observed a vehicle make an illegal U Turn on US 64 East near the town limits of Murphy. The narcotics detective followed the vehicle and made a traffic stop in which the vehicle was occupied by Brooks, Owens and Hensley. After the driver of the vehicle refused consent to search the vehicle the narcotics K9 was used and alerted for the presence of illegal narcotics.

During the search of the occupants of the vehicle, syringes and other paraphernalia were located. Additionally, officers located a semi-automatic pistol along with a rifle that appeared to have a silencer on it in the passenger area of the vehicle. During the stop, information was located that Owens was a convicted felon.

Alicia Madison Brooks was brought to the Cherokee County Detention Center and booked for MAINTAIN PLACE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, RESISTING PUBLIC OFFICER, SIMPLE POSSESS SCH VI CS. Brooks was later released on a unsecure bond after appearing in Cherokee County District Court on 02/19/2018.
Benjamin Dann Owens was brought to the Cherokee County Detention Center where a small amount of suspected methamphetamine was found secreted on him. Owens remains incarcerated on a $15,000.00 secure bond on the following charges POSSESS CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRISON/JAIL PREMISSES, POSSESSION OF FIREARM BY FELON, PWIMSD METHAMPHETAMINE.

Jordan Taylor Hensley was arrested and charged with RESISTING PUBLIC OFFICER. Hensley posted a $1,000.00 secure bond.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “Again good work by all concerned. The mixture of illegal drugs and firearms, especially by convicted felons, makes for a dangerous situation!”

Sheriff Palmer asks if you should have any information concerning this case or any other case to report suspicious activity and suspected violations of the law to please call 828-837-3144 or submit a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.