05/29/2026
Williams Arrested During Multi-Jurisdictional Search
In early May 2026, task force agents with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division began receiving tips concerning Joseph Lee Williams, 23 of Toccoa, using and distributing illegal drugs—specifically methamphetamine—in and around Stephens County.
The SCSO Narcotics Division was previously aware of Williams and that he had an outstanding probation warrant out of Stephens County for his arrest. Williams was actively making efforts to avoid detection from law enforcement by frequently changing locations.
On Wednesday, May 27, 2026, task force agents received information that Williams was staying at Toccoa Motel in Toccoa, Ga. With the assistance of night shift SCSO Uniform Patrol deputies, a further investigation was conducted to corroborate this information. During the investigation, it was determined that Williams was staying at the motel but left earlier that afternoon and had not yet returned. At approximately 1 a.m. Thursday, May 28, 2026, task force agents received information that Williams had returned to the motel. However, when patrol deputies arrived, Williams fled the area on foot. SCSO deputies, with the assistance of Toccoa Police Department officers, began conducting a search of the immediate area but were unable to locate Williams.
Later Thursday morning, task force agents received information that Williams had been picked up from the area by an associate and taken to an apartment in Gainesville to elude capture. With the assistance of the Banks County Sheriff’s Office, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, and Gainesville Police Department, investigators were able to identify and locate Williams’ associate at the Sycamore Ridge Apartments in Gainesville, Ga. SCSO task force agents assisted the Hall County SO Narcotics Unit, Warrant Unit, and K-9 Unit with capturing Williams. He was apprehended inside the apartment without incident.
SCSO task force agents later returned to the Toccoa Motel where a search was conducted of Williams’ motel room. They located approximately 10.6 grams of suspected methamphetamine, two Adderall pills, and other drug-related paraphernalia including syringes and a digital scale.
The investigation also identified Jasmine Jones, 19 of Homer, Ga., as having been in the room with Williams and involved in the illegal drug activity. At the time of Williams’ arrest, Jones was already in the custody of the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office resulting from an incident following a vehicle chase initiated by the Banks County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday.
Both Williams and Jones are facing new charges in Stephens County for the following offenses: Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Additional drug-related charges are pending in Banks County.
The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Hall County Sheriff's Office, Banks County Sheriff's Office, Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, and Gainesville Police Department for their assistance with this case. Strong partnerships and collaborative efforts between these law enforcement agencies led to the removal of illegal drugs from the streets of Stephens County and beyond.
If you have information regarding the distribution of illegal narcotics in Stephens County, please contact our CID Tip Line at (706) 886-7048 or submit a tip in our mobile app. You can also submit a tip using the GBI’s See Something, Send Something app.
