PRESS RELEASE

April 2, 2012

Three Men Arrested in Connection with an Indoor

Marijuana Grow Operation

The Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force served a search warrant at 241 Longview Drive, Rossville, Georgia, around noon on Monday and found an indoor marijuana growing operation, according to Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson.

Sheriff Wilson described the operation as “elaborate and sophisticated” with thousands of dollars worth of fans, timers and lighting.  Approximately one-quarter of a million dollars in marijuana was seized.  The marijuana was found in various stages of growth from seedling to processed marijuana ready for sale.

Arrested were three men of Cuban decent:

1.      Benjamin Valdes   Date of Birth 08/11/1981

2.     Juan Carlos Valladares   Date of Birth 04/25/1981

3.     Felix Valdes Jr.   Date of Birth 01/02/1980

All three men will appear before a Magistrate Judge on Tuesday April 3^rd, at 3:00 PM in Walker County.

On Friday March 23^rd 2012 Billy Shawn Carter completed the 408 hours basic law enforcement course at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Dalton Georgia.  Deputy Carter began his career with the Walker County Sheriff’s Office in April of 2009 in the Detention Division, where he worked and obtained the rank of Corporal. 

Congratulating Deputy Carter on his accomplishment is Sheriff Steve Wilson.

On Thursday March 15^th 2012 Graduation Ceremonies were held at Naomi Elementary School for the Walker County Sheriff’s Office C.H.A.M.P.S. program.

The Choosing Healthy Activities & Promoting Safety (C.H.A.M.P.S.) program is a twenty (20) week program to help our youth resist pressures which may influence them to experiment with alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, inhalants, and other drugs. They also learn about ways to avoid bullying, peer pressure, violent behavior, and making good choices. Several safety topics such as hunting, ATV operations, and boating safety are also included in the program. This program was started by the Georgia Sheriff’s Association and is taught to fifth (5^th) grade students by a Deputy Sheriff.

According to Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson, “ We are privileged to teach a life development program like C.H.A.M.P.S. knowing that a Deputy Sheriff is responsible for instilling positive life skills in a 5^th grader is a rewarding experience.”

In Walker County the students are instructed by Sgt. Terry Hambrick, Deputy LeBron Durham, and Deputy Brad Battles.

Several local dignitaries, parents and teachers of the students were on hand to help recognize the students. Several of the students received special recognition for achievements they have made during the course; they include Essay Winners, 1^st place Pierce Ballard, Austin Foster, and Sydney Marshall, 2^nd place winners Rylie Chamlee, Joseph Longwith, and Kaytlin Mitchell. 3^rd place winners in the essay were Kimberly Evans, Hailee Kerns, and Kaylee Tomlin. Poster winners are 1^st place Caleb Breneman, Talley Brown, and Christopher Croft, 2^nd place winners are Summer Knight, Elizabeth Nichols, and Jared White, 3^rd place winners in posters are Rileigh Muncy, Kimberly Richardson, and Bailey Tarvin.  

Congratulations go to Pierce Ballard as he was chosen the 2012 C.H.A.M.P.S. Student of the Year for Naomi Elementary School. 

On Friday March 9^th 2012 the Walker County Sheriff’s Office dedicated the former Linwood City Hall and Fire Department as the Sheriff Ralph H. Jones Training Center.

The building that had one time served as City and Fire Hall first to Linwood, then to Walker Counties Emergency Services, had been re-purposed to the Sheriff’s Office for a much needed training center.

The Idea to Honor Sheriff Jones was one that Sheriff Wilson had some twelve years ago when the jail annex was being built. But was put on hold until recently when the building was vacated with the completion of the Mineral Springs Road Fire Hall.  That’s when Walker County Commissioner Bebe Heiskell, who liked Sheriff Wilson idea made the building available.

Sheriff Wilson told the crowd on hand that inmate labor was used to refurbish the building brining a drab building into a clean functional facility, which has been equipped with up to date technology to train our public safety employees.

Sheriff Gary McConnell (ret) and Det. Sgt. Mike Hinch both told stories of the long time Sheriff. Sheriff Jones served as Walker County Sheriff from 1965 to 1984.

Sgt. Pat Cook, training officer for the department told those in attendance that not only would the Training Center be used to train public safety employees, but also the community in programs like the upcoming Sheriff’s Citizen Academy slated to begin April 2^nd, but also with other programs that are coming that will include instruction in AED/CPR and firearms safety.

Those in attendance in attendance included members of Sheriff Jones Family, Former Deputies of the department, and public officials. 

Public’s Help Needed With Solving a Flintstone Business Burglary

A white male driving a white minivan forced his way into the Flintstone Food Market around 3:30 AM Sunday morning, October 30^th, by throwing a large rock through the business front window, according to Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson.

Once the suspect was inside the store, he loaded a 55 gallon trash can with 74 cartons of cigarettes, valued at $3,053.

A motorist passing by spotted the activity at the store and called 911.

The suspect and white minivan left the store traveling north on Chattanooga Valley Road.

 The white male is described as tall and slender.  The white van is believed to be an older model.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call the Walker County Sheriff’s Office at 706-638-1909.

 You may submit an anonymous tip at www.walkerso.com.