Two Arrested, One Sought in Stephens County Drug Bust

By Charlie Bauder, WNEG Radio, Toccoa

Three people face charges after an investigation by the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office last week.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said on September 2nd officers with the Traffic And Crime Suppression Unit made a traffic stop on a pick-up truck on Cawthon Road.

During that stop, Shirley said deputies reportedly recovered a quantity of suspected methamphetamine, as well as prescription narcotics that neither of the men in the vehicle had a prescription for.

Arrested were 36-year-old Barry Lamar Tester of Toccoa and 39-year-old Walter Charles Boles of Rossville, Georgia.

Shirley says his office then continued the investigation at Tester’s home.

“Subsequent to that recovery of illegal drugs, they (deputies) contacted investigators who obtained a search warrant for the residence just off of Cawthon Road,” said Shirley. “They found more methamphetamine and some stolen equipment that was reported stolen from a burglary out of Hart County.”

Both Tester and Boles are charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of schedule four controlled substance without prescription, and theft by receiving stolen property.

Tester bonded out last week, but Boles remains in the Stephens County jail on a $21,500 bond.

Meantime, Shirley says authorities have also issued an arrest warrant for a third suspect, identified as 56-year-old Gary M. Tester of Toccoa.

The elder Tester faces charges of possession of methamphetamine.

Shirley said the investigation continues and more charges are possible.