Traffic stop near Hancock State Prison leads to drug arrests

Two adults from LaGrange were arrested last week after deputies found drugs in their vehicle during a traffic stop near Hancock State Prison, according to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.

HANCOCK COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Two adults from LaGrange were arrested last week after deputies found drugs in their vehicle during a traffic stop near Hancock State Prison, according to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were patrolling Cody Johnson Road around 10:13 p.m. on Friday, March 7 when they stopped a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe for failure to maintain lane, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

When the driver rolled down the window, the deputy reported smelling a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Investigators determined the driver and passenger were transporting illegal drugs and packages while a minor was in the car, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies detained all three people and took them to the Sparta/Hancock Detention Center. The juvenile was later released to an adult.

Authorities identified the driver as 39-year-old Shakell L. Thomas and the passenger as 34-year-old Jarmarquis D. Brock.

Thomas is charged with failure to maintain lane, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possessing items prohibited for inmates without authorization from the warden.

Brock is charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possessing items prohibited for inmates without authorization from the warden.