Cocaine Arrest In Clay County

On 04/02/2024, Clay County Lieutenant Tyler Faggard with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office initiated a vehicle stop on a silver Ford F-150 for failing to display a registration number plate. The Ford F-150 came to a stop at the intersection of Highway 64 West and Qualla Road.

Lieutenant Faggard approached the driver’s side window and spoke with the male driver, who was identified as Eddie Ralph Joyner, 31 years of age from Dalton Ga. Joyner stated that he had not registered the vehicle yet, but he did have insurance.

Lieutenant Faggard obtained the VIN from the truck and Joyner’s Georgia driver’s license to run through Clay County dispatch. Clay County Chief Joe Wood arrived on scene at which time Joyner put his hand out the truck window and stated that he could not locate his insurance. Chief Wood walked up to Joyner and asked him if it could be in the glovebox.

At this time, Joyner leaned over to open the glovebox and while doing so, Chief Wood noticed a small baggy in his back pocket containing a white powdery substance inside.

Chief Wood and Lieutenant Faggard then told Joyner to exit the vehicle and he was detained without issue. Lieutenant Faggard retrieved the baggy from Joyner’s back pocket at which time Joyner immediately stated, “These aren’t my pants.”

Clay County Officer TJ Major arrived on scene and Joyner was placed into his patrol vehicle. Lieutenant Faggard tested the white powdery substance, which tested positive for cocaine. Deputy Major transported to the Clay County Detention Center where he was booked and given a $10,000 secured bond by Magistrate Dave West.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.