An update on cases being investigated by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office was issued by law enforcement officials Monday, August 8.

According to the report, Eddie Dean Norman, 40, of Lincoln County was arrested in connection with an armed robbery that occurred at American Legion Post 597.

On Wednesday, July 16, between 1:30 and 3 a.m., Wallace Norman was locking up the post home on Thomas Lane Post Road when Franklin E. Jones, 24, of Lincoln County entered the establishment carrying a knife and a shotgun. Jones ordered Norman to kneel on the floor of a bathroom while he allegedly received instructions from Eddie Norman who was positioned outside the room.

The men stole about five cases of various types of beer and approximately five quarts of liquor from behind the bar. The items were valued at a total of $150.

Jones was later arrested and charged with armed robbery and criminal damage to property while authorities searched for his accomplice.

Upon his arrest, Eddie Norman was charged with armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Jones is currently out on bond, and Norman is being held in the Lincoln County Law Enforcement Center on a $70,000 bond.

In a separate case, a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Tracey Lamar Ferguson, 34, of Athens for his alleged involvement in the burglary of five fishing camps located on the Thomson Highway during the months of May and June. Apparently, one of the sites burglarized by the suspect was a trailer owned by his grandfather, Henry Ferguson. Fishing tackle and various other items valued at less than $500 were stolen.

Tracey Ferguson is also wanted for questioning by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department in connection with his alleged involvement in seven burglaries and by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in regard to five forged checks.

Anyone having any information about this case is asked to call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 706-359-4118.

The sheriff’s office has also issued a warrant for the arrest of Jasmine M. Lawson of Atlanta on charges of financial transaction fraud. Apparently, Lawson utilized a check card number that she had illegally obtained from a Lincoln County resident to pay two bills. The sheriff’s office is currently working with the Atlanta Police Department to locate the suspect and execute the arrest warrant.

In his comments, Sheriff Gerald Lawson stated that his office will actively investigate every criminal offense that occurs in Lincoln County. “The rural counties in Georgia are rapidly becoming a haven where nefarious individuals can carry out their criminal lifestyles. These people exploit the fact that smaller counties have fewer law enforcement officers and resources than the larger agencies. Nevertheless, although we are small, our office is proactive in its approach to crime.”