Blairsville men caught with drugs in plane
Suspicion aroused after plane failed to activate runway lights
By RICHARD SCOTT Wolf Creek Broadcasting

Jonathan Nichols

Two Blairsville men remained in the Lowndes County, Ga., jail Tuesday morning facing drug charges, after being caught with five pounds of marijuana in their rented, private plane.

According to Valdosta Police Department Commander Brian Childress, police arrested the pair shortly after they landed their rented single engine Cessna 172 at around 4:30 a.m. Monday at the Valdosta Airport. The pilot of the plane failed to activate runway lights while making the early morning landing, arousing the suspicion of an airport employee, who notified police.

Officers who responded to the scene requested permission of the plane's occupants to search the aircraft. The search turned up more than five pounds of marijuana and two handguns.

30-year-old Derek Stephens, who was piloting the plane, and 31-year-old William Jonathan Nichols are being held on charges of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and could face additional charges.

According to Commander Childress, the pair had rented the small four-seat aircraft at the Muncipal Airport in Blairsville. They were flying back to Union County from Sarasota, Fl., and apparently decided to land in Valdosta because they were low on fuel.

Derek Stephens