Lavona Man Arrested on Drug Charges in Stephens County

By Ethan Jordan, WNEG Radio, Toccoa

A Lavonia man faces multiple drug charges in Stephens County.

According to Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, on April 9, deputies with his office were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Fieldcrest Drive and GA Hwy 17.

When they arrived, they located the driver, identified as 58-year old Glen Raymond Sundberg of Lavonia, was standing near a Ford F-250 pickup that was on top of a concrete median with a stop sign lodged underneath it.

Deputies approved the driver to render aid and subsequently began to investigate the cause of the accident.

Shirley says the driver stated he fell asleep at the wheel and drove off the roadway while heading home from the methadone clinic.

Deputies asked for the driver’s consent to search his vehicle, which he granted.

During the search, the deputies observed a backpack, prompting the driver to quicky withdraw his consent.

Deputies topped their search; however, K-9 Dexter was deployed to do an exterior walk around the vehicle.

Dexter gave an alert that illegal drugs were present inside the vehicle. Once inside the vehicle, Dexter immediately detected illegal drugs were in the backpack.

Deputies searched the backpack and uncovered a quantity of heroin and a loaded 9mm handgun.

Due to the suspicion of driving while impaired the deputies requested the Georgia State Patrol assist with a field sobriety test.

GSP arrived and determined the driver was under the influence of drugs and transported the driver to the hospital for a blood test.

Sundberg was arrested and charged with illegal possession of a controlled substance, possession and use of drug related objects, possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies, failure to maintain lane, and DUI-Drugs.

He was later released on bond from the Stephens County Jail.