Stolen Jeep Recovered in Clay County After Hunter’s Tip Leads to Arrests

On April 18, 2025, a hunter’s keen observation and quick action led to the recovery of a stolen black Jeep Wrangler and the arrest of two suspects in the Fires Creek Wildlife Refuge. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office reported that at 12:52 PM, the hunter, while heading to his hunting spot, noticed a black Jeep Wrangler and a blue Ford Explorer parked at a campsite.

Later, while browsing Facebook, he stumbled upon a post by the Jeep’s owner, Seth Ray of Clermont, Georgia, stating that the vehicle had been stolen and was still missing.

The hunter promptly contacted Lt. Tyler Faggard of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, reporting the Jeep’s location. Lt. Faggard, accompanied by Sgt. Chris Moral, responded to the campsite with the hunter.

The Jeep was still present, but the Ford Explorer had left. While Sgt. Moral secured the Jeep, Lt. Faggard located the Explorer nearby with Emily Joann Smith, 32, of Gainesville, Georgia, in the vicinity. Emily denied any connection to the Jeep and drove off.

As the Explorer passed Sgt. Moral, he noticed a male passenger and alerted Lt. Faggard. Sgt. Moral stopped the vehicle and identified the passenger as Enoch Franklin Smith, 39, also of Gainesville. Lt. Faggard, after consulting with Deputy Martin of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia, confirmed the Jeep’s theft. Both Emily and Enoch, who had previously been arrested in Georgia for stealing the same Jeep, were charged with felony Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. Due to their existing bond status for the prior theft, no bond was granted for either suspect.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office commended the hunter’s vigilance, which was instrumental in recovering the stolen vehicle and apprehending the suspects.