Law officers seize drugs, cash and weapons

Pictured are rifles, cash, drugs, drug paraphernalia, and a portable methamphetamine lab (inset) confiscated by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in recent weeks.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office have made arrests recently for drug, weapons, and hunting violations.

On Saturday, October 21, sheriff's deputies executed a search warrant at the residence of Ronnie Norman Bynes, 39, of a Beck Drive address in the Pineywoods Community.

As a result of the search, Bynes was arrested and charged with one count each of Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act (VGCSA) [possession of cocaine with intent to distribute] and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

In connection with the drug charge, sheriff's deputies confiscated $1,793 from the defendant's home and another $2,061.28 from his savings account.

Bynes is currently out on a $50,000 property bond.

On Sunday, October 22, DNR rangers Ryan Swain and Bryan Hobbins arrested David Lamar Beene, 55, of an Eve Street address in Augusta on nu- merous drug, weapons, and hunting charges.

Lincoln County Sheriff Gerald Lawson (l) and Corporal Ryan Swain with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources pose with the Pontiac Grand Am and 15-foot Duracraft aluminum boat confiscated in connection with a drug bust at a campsite near the Leathersville Boat Ramp.

The arrest took place near the Leathersville Boat Ramp on Clark's Hill Lake.

According to Corporal Swain, the rangers had Beene's deer stand under surveillance because the stand had been baited with corn. The subject was observed disembarking from a small Jon boat, carrying a high-powered rifle, and walking toward the baited area. He was later arrested in his baited deer stand.

During the arrest, Swain smelled what appeared to be a strong odor of marijuana on Beene. Marijuana, a smoking device, and methamphetamine were found on the subject's person.

A subsequent search of Beene's vehicle revealed more methamphetamine, a portable methamphetamine lab, items used to weigh and distribute methamphetamine and marijuana, a Stoeger shotgun, a Ben Pearson recurve fishing bow, a Hunter 220 pellet rifle, a Sherifan pellet rifle, a Raven .25-caliber pistol, a Remington Model 110 .22-caliber rifle, a Remington Model 700 30 X.06-caliber rifle with a scope, a Winchester .22-caliber long rifle, a black powder .50-caliber rifle, and a Barnett crossbow.

Following his arrest, Beene was charged one count each of possession of a drug-related object (VGCSA); possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute (VGCSA); possession of marijuana with intent to distribute (VGCSA); possession of marijuana (less than an ounce) [VGCSA]; hunting under the influence (VGCSA); possession of a firearm during the commission of certain crimes; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; hunting big game over bait; and hunting deer without wearing orange.

Beene is currently being held in the Lincoln County Law Enforcement Center on a $221,275 bond.

Arrested along with Beene at his campsite on Clark's Hill Lake was Christopher Edward Bishop, 22, of Martinez. Bishop was charged with two counts of VGCSA (misdemeanor possession of marijuana and possession of a drug-related object).

He is currently out on a $10,000 bond.

According to Sheriff Gerald Lawson, the arrest of Bynes and Beene resulted in the seizure of:

Approximately $4,000 in cash.

Guns and Beene's Pontiac Grand Am and 15-foot Duracraft aluminum boat worth a total of $5,000.

Close to $200 in powder and crack cocaine, $150 in marijuana, and $2,000 in methamphetamine.

In other items of information, the sheriff indicated that 13 arrests were made as the result of wildlife/driver's license checkpoints held by his office and the DNR throughout the county on Sunday, October 29.

One of those cited was Maurice D. Dodgens, 38, of Pickens, South Carolina. The subject, who had four whitetail deer in the back of his vehicle, was charged with failure to record a deer harvest, possession of big game without a big game license, and VGCSA (misdemeanor possession of marijuana).

Dodgens' three high-powered rifles, valued at a total of $2,000, were confiscated in lieu of bond.

The deer meat was distributed to needy families in Lincoln County.

Commenting on the drug arrests, Sheriff Lawson said, "We will continue working to keep illegal drugs out of Lincoln County - we won't rest until the dealers of these poisons have either left the county or are in jail."

Concerning other items of interest, the sheriff noted that his office has received several reports of individuals attempting to sell or having sold doughnuts to benefit a person with brain cancer. According to Sheriff Lawson, "We

first heard that these people were selling doughnuts for a Lincoln County resident - now, they have changed their story and claim they are selling doughnuts for their father who lives in Anderson, South Carolina. They told law enforcement officers that they have sold so many doughnuts in Anderson that no one is buying them anymore.

"These people are not from this area, and they are attempting to capitalize on someone's illness. We encourage local residents not to have any dealings with these individuals."

The sheriff went on to say that the subjects' vehicle has been described as a gold 1990 Honda Accord with plastic over the windows.

"The latest incident involved two white females and one white male," said Lawson. "All three were advised by the Lincolnton Police Department that they needed a peddler's permit to sell doughnuts in the city. The same holds true for the county."

During the month of October, sheriff's deputies filed 87 reports and responded to a total of 20 accidents, 18 of which were traffic-related.