Second Firefighter Arrested
Jarad Jones of Canton is accused of stealing a liquid pain killer from a county ambulance for his personal use, the spokesman for the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office said.
The second firefighter officials were looking at as part of an investigation into illegal drug use has turned himself in at the Cherokee County Detention Center.
Jarad Jones of Canton has been charged with felony theft by taking.
He is accused of stealing Fentanyl, a liquid pain killer, from a Cherokee County ambulance in 2011, said Lt. Jay Baker, spokesman for the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.
"Investigators believe Jones stole the Fentanyl on more than one occasion and that the drug was used for his personal use," Baker said.
News of Jones' arrest surfaced just hours after Sheriff Roger Garrison and Fire Chief Tim Prather discussed an investigation into illegal drug use within the agency during a 1:30 p.m. press conference.
"It appears that there possibly will be one more charge of a firefighter here from Cherokee County as well as possibly other individuals who are not firefighters but were involved in the sale of illegal narcotics," Cherokee Sheriff Roger Garrison said at that press conference.
Wednesday, another Cherokee County firefighter from Canton was arrested and suspended without pay.
Johnathan Wayne Thomas, 34, is at the Cherokee County Detention Center with no bond. He has has been charged with the sell of hydrocodone, felony possession of marijuana, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, possession of a schedule III controlled substance and possession of a schedule IV controlled substance.
"These are very small amounts of narcotics," Garrison said. "Most of the narcotics that are carried on the ambulances are very small quantities used for pain relief, primarily injectables."
Preliminary findings indicate that the drugs "were used for self-medication for lack of a better term or self-usage by possibly the two firefighters involved," he said. "Those narcotics were not sold. It is through the further investigation that at least one of those individuals was involved in the sale of the hydrocodone, possibly the marijuana and some other narcotics."
At no point and time was the care of any individuals put in danger or jeopardized, Garrison said.
The illegal drug use came to light on Sunday during a routine inspection of ambulances in the county. Garrison credited changes in the fire department with bringing the activity to the attention of authorities.
Prather became the county's fire chief in September when his predecessor, Raymond Gunnin, retired.
Restructuring within the agency put new personnel in fire stations and "new eyes on some of these ambulances," Garrison said. Those individuals "saw things that just didn't appear to be correct in these inventory processes," he said.
This past Sunday, Cherokee County fire officials reported their observations to the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, which investigated the incident in conjunction with the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad, Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services spokesman Tim Cavender said in a statement.
An undercover operation was conducted, and Thomas was arrested at his home Wednesday afternoon following a search warrant at the location. Thomas has been with the fire department for three years. He has no previous disciplinary infractions in his files.
“This agency will not tolerate any type of illegal management or mishandling of our controlled substances, nor will we permit the possession and use of illegal drugs by our employees,” Prather said in a statement. “Illegal drug use is a debilitating disease that can interfere and destroy a family, a person’s health and career. I hope Mr. Thomas will take the necessary steps to overcome this issue and situation.”
Thomas will have his first court appearance on Friday.
It's not clear when Jones will have his first court appearance.
Jones, 25, is in custody at the county jail in lieu of $5,700 bond.
The investigation is ongoing, Baker said.
Stay tuned to Canton-Sixes Patch for details on this developing story.
In This article
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Cherokee County Detention Center
498 Chattin Dr, Canton, GA -
Cherokee County Public Safety Building
150 Chattin Dr, Canton, GA -
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Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services
150 Chattin Dr, Canton, GA
Larry J.
8:46 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
As a resident of Cherokee County, that's a pretty scarry and sobering thought to think that people in such important positions are potentialy high on narcotics while dealing in the safety of the people in our community. Thankfully Chief Prather seems to be taking an important stance on the incident. I hope most people in the community will realise that those two offenders do not define the entire fire department, or at least lets hope they don't.
J
3:23 am on Friday, February 3, 2012
As a firefighter/paramedic here in Cherokee I assure you all that the actions of a few DO NOT define us all. Being a firefighter does not make us infallible. We are all human and not immune to the trials and tribulations that come with that. Sometimes the choices of an individual are made that have consequences for many. Our duty to our community is our top priority as you can see by the actions and statements of our administration. There was no attempt to hide this or sweep it under the rug. Our administration has handled this situation incredibly well and I'm proud to be a firefighter here. Not only am I a firefighter here but I'm also as citizen. I have 100% confidence in our entire 911 system when it comes to my entire family being taken care of.
Jessica SHaw
12:35 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
How Dumb can they be
Jackie Bonebrake
2:30 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
Being the mother of a retired Cherokee County firefighter paramedic I have some food for thought on this.Have you ever thought of what would drive a person to do this? Have you ever layed awake at night while you son or daughter was crawling through a burning house trying to find the person that is crying out for help? How about when they roll up on an entrapment and have to hold some persons hand while they get cut out of a wrecked car? Or while they search the ditch for a limb thats been severed in an accident? Who knows what would trigger such behavior, it isn't our place to judge these firefighters or the Department. It's our place to thank them for what they do and support the Department and these brave Firefighters
in any way possible.
Cheryl
7:24 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012
These idiots! There are people who would love to have their job, their benefits, their insurance, their pay! And they go and abuse the whole thing. They should never be allowed to work for the county in any position again. I do deeply appreciate the rest of the Firefighters who take their job seriously and protect us every single day.
Shane Bonebrake
3:25 pm on Saturday, February 4, 2012
Cheryl, do you personally know "these riots?". I do. I worked sided by side with one of the for years and he is an incredible firefighter paramedic who has SAVED HUNDREDS OF LIVES IN THAT COUNTY. I do not condone their behavior at all and it is a tragedy that it happened. BUT, YOU MA'AM SHOULD NOT THROW STONES FROM YOUR GLASS HOUSE! Are you perfect, never made a mistake, never made a stupid decision???????? I can speak for one of them, because I helped train him. As an EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR for all of CHEROKEE COUNTY, a 23 year fire fighter paramedic, flight medic, Chief Flight Medic, Police Officer, 911 Operator, Rescue Divemaster, Hazardous Material Tech and human being........I am there 100% for Mr. Jones to help him get through a stupid decision. If you read their Facebook pages, you would see the support he has from his Brother and Sister firefighters and friends and family . We ma'am are not roBots and see more than you could ever imagine!!!!!! I'd ride right beside that "idiot" on any firetruck or ambulance and watch him save countless lives again. I guess you world is perfect with no friends or family members that have ever made a mistake......well lucky you! And the fine lady above your stupid, self centered, selfless, vile comment is my mother....... She knows him, and can forgive him and help him through this stuff. Sincerely Shane Bonebrake.
FFPolk
7:43 pm on Saturday, February 4, 2012
Gonna say it straight from the hip n thats the way it spposed to be. Them boys are heroes. firefigters don't get no rest fer people to be tellin em how to behave. Its hard enough them good ol boys are gettinn the heat for stuff that don't matter none to nobody but them an jesus, an jesus i'm guarenteein has his neck will be as red as mine and as proud of them boys as we all should be. fly high n tight to be right!
Diana Ledford
9:29 pm on Saturday, February 4, 2012
I agree with Ms Bonebrake and Shane on all these Statements . Guess you have never been in a spot where you put your life on the line to help someone else.I am on shift as I am writing this. No one can say what happened to make these Heroes make a bad descision. I support them in everyway. I too would be Happy to get on a truck with them and run calls. The hours ,the pay, the stresses, and literally watching somone die in your arms, especially a child is alot to deal with. not to mention the hours of training , schools and hard work that goes into being a Proffessional Firefighter/ paramedic/ emt . and Missing Holidays, Family events, Birthdays etc. to keep the PUBLIC SAFE!! Praises for the support these men have and need.
Perfect people don't exist so Miss Cheryl if your not from a Public safety Family You should kepp your Mouth shut.God forbid you ever have an Emergency and need someone from our Family to help. Bet you change your mind then. Thanks MOM and Shane.I love all my Public Safety Family.And Support them all.
Gina Howell Woodall
1:41 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
I'm praying for Jared Jones! I helped an watched these firefighters as they searched for Jorelys Rivera and they were non stop. I'm so glad to see you stand behind your firefighter brother because that's what he needs and all our prayers. He has worked so hard to let it be a waste and after he has had time to heal from this I pray Hod uses him and his trial to help others so maybe they can understand this problem so maybe it won't be one anymore. No one knows what he has been through. I'm not saying it's right but I know how God works and I know he forgave him at Calvary!
Sharon
6:19 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Our community trusted these men with a responsibility more than most can comprehend, and they betrayed that trust. There are no excuses for the crimes they commited. They are paid to deal with the situations that are physically and mentally taxing. Their chosen career isn't for everybody, and to make the assumption that the rigors of the job pushed them to abuse county medications is ridiculous. They embarrassed their profession, their coworkers, their friends and family and most importantly, the citizens that trusted them.