The Long County Sheriff’s Department conducted two highway safety checkpoints Saturday evening in the northern part of the county.
With assistance from the Georgia State Patrol, the Long/Liberty MACE unit, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the Department of Correction’s Canine Unit; the department found 19 violations in connection with various crimes.
One of the checkpoints was on Highway 196 and the other on Time Saver Road, both in the Sand Hill area.
According to Sheriff Cecil Nobles, the checkpoints were primarily set up to check motorist for valid driver’s license, proper insurance, safe vehicle and DUIs.
They began at 7 p.m. and concluded at about midnight, with 14 law enforcement personnel aiding in the effort.
Some of the crimes reported include fraudulent identification, laying drag, no driver’s license, driving with a suspended license and having an open container of alcohol while operating a vehicle.
Also reported were three cases involving DUI, four for possession of marijuana and one felony arrest for possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance (cocaine).
“I feel the effort was well worth it. We hope to have one of these in several different places through out the county, hopefully every week or so,” Nobles said.
Checkpoint arrests
Below are some of the arrests according to Long County Sheriff’s Office incident reports:
• Tony Terrell Taft, 20, of Glennville was cited with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended license. He was taken to the sheriff’s office for booking and fingerprinting and MACE seized the suspected drugs and placed them in an evidence locker.
• Jimmie Richardson, 48, of Hinesville was arrested when he failed to travel through the safety check. Deputies gave chase and apprehended Richardson, who appeared to be under the influence. Breath tests revealed readings of .229 and .225. He was cited with DUI. A passenger in his vehicle, James Dreyton Monroe, 39, also of Hinesville, was cited with possession of marijuana — less than an ounce.
• Robert J. Galligan, 46, of Ludowici, was arrested amd charged with DUI — .08 grams or more, when he failed a field sobriety test. Breath tests revealed readings of .274 and .260