August 13, 2007

Valdosta - Two men are arrested in Valdosta; police say they were attempting to fly drugs across two states.

Investigators say 30-year-old Derek Stephens and his passenger 28-year-old William Nichols chartered a Cessna plane from their home in Blairsville.

They were flying back from Sarasota but had to make an unexpected stop in Valdosta around 4:30 Monday morning. "The pilot made attempts to fuel the aircraft here, and he also told us that he landed here in Valdosta because he underestimated how much fuel he needed for the flight," says Commander Brian Childress of the Valdosta Police.

They landed with their running lights off, drawing attention from an airport employee. "He realized there was something that just wasn't right with this plane and the two people on board, and that's when he called the police," says Airport Director Bob Hollway.

Police arrived, searched the plane and seized two handguns, some cash and nearly 10 thousand dollars worth of marijuana."

Stephens and Nichols are both being charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to sell. But more charges could be pending. "We have contacted federal authorities, and now we are trying to ascertain if there are any other violation these two many face federally," Childress says.

And now over five pounds of marijuana are off Georgia streets.

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Plane lands with contraband cargo

Two men are arrested in Valdosta, attempting to fly drugs across two states.

http://www.airspeedgraphics.com/aerial-photography/

Derek Stephens Technology Specialist derek.stephens@union.k12.ga

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant"

I hope it's a past tense now, of "worked" for the school & not still working!! 

Good thing he didn't work in the Ag department.

Probably more of a continuation of investigation... they would not have been bringing it here if there was not a market for it and from other recent news articles, the drug task force in this area has been keeping busy.

As far as putting this back on Tommy????? Have we all not tried to give our kids a little help, if a parent can get their kid a job they normally do. I doubt either dad believed in a 100 years they would get this call (kinda like me and you). Why is that anything more then prayers are going towards two dads today? Yes those boys are in for it and they deserve it, but lets not start judging parents. I am sure Tommy will not have his son at a school anytime soon.

As far as the GBI/Feds in town. Keep them her it is time to clean it up and take out the trash. There is corruption here; getting rid of those people (not their families) is our first step in keeping a safe place for our kids.

My prayers are with both families and I hope they know they do not have to hang their head in shame. As for the boys, I believe in consequences, nuff said!

I like Tommy Stephens and he has always been nice to me over the years, even during school. Their family had another heartache about this same time last year and I hate it for them.

Cherry Blossom

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Then again.... There is more money, most likely more drugs there.

I just hope the ABC crew can scare the heck out of these people and get rid of them.

I have a cousin that works u/c narcotics in Union, he is never home, sounds like we may need some more.

The Nichols kids Dad is very nice.  Isn't he a probation officer?? 

It's not just the "homegrown" people going bad, it's other's as well.  I say anyone dealing, selling, distributing, using drugs needs to be banned from society, especially around children.

MRT please write a book and tell us just how to do the parent thing.... I am sure when Tommy gave him a job he had no idea of his son's other job. My parents gave me the benefit of the doubt more times then they should have when I was a teenager, most of the time they regreted it.I just happen to learn my lesson and grew up, those boys did not, but it still does not change the parents love for them. Let the focus be on the drug traffic and the people doing it, not the parents. Why would anybody be worried what the parents are doing? I bet they are shut up in their house, heart broken, and know that their names are being dragged in the mud.

Has anybody (or your kid) had Derek as a teacher, I believe he was hired to put in security cameras in the school, not teach. I could be wrong. Him having that email does not mean he is a teacher, all contractors can get them.

As far as his job..... Are you going to blame Tommy if a teacher chose to drink and drive and kills somebody. If this was not his son nothing would be said about him, why now? We are not always products of our parents, but us parents can easily be blinded by our children. Do not blame him for being a dad, pray for him, you never know when you will be standing in his shoes, hoping we are praying, and not judging.

Edited by - Betsy on 08/14/2007 4:41:37 PM

Gods already forgiven them.. it may take PEOPLE longer.. but the important part.. is that God is there with them and he has forgiven them..
I do pray.. for Jonathons family and I do mean his loved ones and HIM.. and Dereks too! People get into the wrong scene... everyone makes mistakes..

God only knows what each of us have of our own to face.. be it here.. or in heaven.. at least these boys still have a chance in their life to make it right too!

People talk about people on here without thinking..
How many other members may have family of their own who has been through this or is going through this same situation.. maybe bigger or lesser..

Blairsville, Georgia - home in the North GA Mountains

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