Clay County Sheriff's report

From the desk of Sheriff Mark Buchanan

Clay County Sheriff

On 02/07/23 at 9:52 PM Clay County Sheriff’s Sgt Chris Moral, Officer Corey Scroggs, and Officer Steven Smith were conducting a vehicle safety check station at the intersection of Old US Hwy 64 west and Beach Cove Road. At this time a vehicle driven by Hunter Chase Adams, 18 years of age from Hayesville, entered the check station. Hallie Ann Bartlett, 48 years of age from Hayesville, was a passenger within the car. During a consensual search of the car, a clear plastic baggie containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be Methamphetamine was found within Bartlett’s purse. Two clear smoking devices were also recovered during this search. Bartlett was arrested, charged with Felony Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and given a $10,000 secured bond.

On 02/08/23 at 3:08 AM Clay County Sheriff’s Officer Steven Smith stopped a Dodge Durango for having a revoked registration and no insurance near the Hot Spot convenience store in Hayesville. Megan Faye Smith, 29 years of age of Franklin, NC, was found to be driving the vehicle with a juvenile passenger. Smith was also found to have a suspended driver’s license. Upon Clay County Officer Cory Scroggs’ arrival to the scene, Officer Smith deployed his K-9 named Luca. Luca alerted on the vehicle which gave probable cause to believe that illegal drugs were within. A search of the Durango yielded two plastic baggies containing approximately 4.7 grams of a crystalline substance that field tested positive for Methamphetamine. Smith was arrested and ultimately charged with Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, a previous Failure to Appear in Court, Maintaining a Vehicle for Drugs, Driving While License Revoked, and Displaying a Revoked License Plate. The unfortunate element to this event was the presence of the juvenile who was riding with Smith on this morning. After Smith was arrested and the vehicle impounded, this juvenile was transported back to Macon County where she resided.