Press release submitted
by Sheriff Mark Buchanan
A traffic stop near near Hayesville Nov. 20 resulted in the arrests of two Cherokee County residents.
At 8:59 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20 Clay County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Steven Smith noted a Dodge Ram pickup truck traveling north on Tusquittee Road near the intersection of Qualla Road. Smith noted the truck to be driven by Colby Brett Phillips, 23, of Murphy.
Smith knew that Phillips had no valid driver’s license and initiated a traffic stop. Phillips refused to stop the truck until a “rolling roadblock” was conducted with the assistance of Clay County Sheriff’s Sgt. Tyler Faggard and Investigator Nick Queen.
Once stopped, Phillips was removed from the truck at which time a 9 mm S&W pistol fell out onto the ground at Smith’s feet.
Amber Michelle Graham, 27, of Murphy, was found seated in the rear driver’s side area of the truck. Emily Shae Muse, 22, of Murphy, was found seated in the rear passenger side area of the truck. Muse was noted to have the front of her pants pulled down and her shirt pulled up.
Officers suspected Muse was engaged in the common practice of hiding illegal substances within her body. Due to this suspicion, a female Clay County Detention officer was requested to be enroute to the scene.
A general search of the truck yielded multiple items of drug paraphernalia. Eventually a glass smoking device and a baggy containing suspected methamphetamine were produced by Muse from her genitalia.
In addition a glass smoking device and baggy containing more than 5 grams of suspected methamphetamine were produced by Graham from her genitalia. Both baggies of suspected methamphetamine field tested positive for methamphetamine.
Phillips was arrested and charged with fleeing to elude arrest, failure to heed lights and siren, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a vehicle without a driver’s license, and felony carrying a concealed firearm.
Muse and Graham were both arrested and charged with felony possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.