Three individuals were arrested Thursday as Sheriff’s Office Investigators were attempting to locate a Georgia fugitive.  According to Sheriff Jeff Shaver, the U.S. Marshal’s Service had contacted investigators that morning with information relating to an escapee from Atlanta.

Cherokee County and Chattooga County, Georgia Deputies searched for the subject, 41 year old Doyle Eugene Tant, throughout the day, eventually locating him in a vehicle on Highway 35 near Blanche.  Tant was taken into custody at the scene, along with two other occupants, identified as a 38 year old resident of Menlo, Georgia, Desiray Abernathy, and Shannon Lemos, 35 of Rome.

All three were charged with the Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree, and with the Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Abernathy and Lemos were also charged with Hindering Prosecution 1st Degree.  Tant was additionally charged with Resisting Arrest.

According to Sheriff Shaver, Doyle Eugene Tant will be extradited back to Georgia after he makes bond in Cherokee County.