Two arrested after attempted contraband drop at Hancock State Prison

Deputies were patrolling the area of Johnny Britt Road and Linton Road around 11 p.m. February 5 when the sheriff’s office was notified of a suspicious vehicle near the prison.

SPARTA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Two people were arrested after an attempted contraband drop near Hancock State Prison on Thursday, according to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were patrolling the area of Johnny Britt Road and Linton Road around 11 p.m. February 5 when the sheriff’s office was notified of a suspicious vehicle near the prison.

According to the sheriff’s office, the vehicle attempted to drive southbound toward the Beulah community but failed to maintain its lane on two separate occasions. Deputies initiated a traffic stop for failure to maintain lane.

Deputies activated their emergency equipment, and the driver pulled over to the side of the roadway.

As deputies approached the vehicle, they detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside. The odor became stronger when deputies made contact at the passenger-side window and the window was opened.

A man and a woman were inside the vehicle and provided identification when requested. Officers with the Milledgeville Police Department arrived on scene to assist with the traffic stop.

Both suspects were asked to exit the vehicle and were escorted to the front of a patrol car.

The male suspect was identified as 35-year-old Timothy Lamar Massengale of LaGrange, Georgia. The female suspect was identified as 35-year-old Angela Renee Dinkins of Columbus, Georgia.

While standing outside the vehicle, deputies observed what appeared to be a drone in plain view in the rear cargo area, along with several duffel bags. A search of the vehicle later revealed multiple items believed to be contraband, including approximately 11.5 pounds of marijuana, 44 pounds of tobacco, $1,000 in cash, 11 cellphones, an iPad, charging cables, headphones, bungee cables, zip ties, medicine, a tool kit, JB Weld and several unidentified blocks, according to the sheriff’s office.

Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office. According to the news release, charges are pending.