TRION, Ga.- Chattooga County, Georgia deputies and multiple law enforcement agencies stopped an attempted prison contraband drop near Hays State Prison on Saturday, December 13th.

Deputies were alerted after a suspicious man carrying a duffle bag was seen entering the woods off Underwood Drive in Chattooga County. Trion Police, Hays State Prison staff, and Warden Jones quickly set up a perimeter around the area.

Sheriff’s Investigator and drone pilot Daniel Sanford launched a thermal drone and located the suspect, tracking his movements through the woods. The man later exited near Highway 27 where Chattooga County deputies and an off-duty Summerville police officer took him into custody.

Investigators say the suspect initially provided false identification and claimed he was only in the woods to use the bathroom.

According to the Coosa Valley News, a search of the wooded area, assisted by a Gordon County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit, uncovered a large backpack containing marijuana, tobacco, more than 20 cell phones, and tools believed to be used for cutting metal. Two additional packages of contraband were found later by K-9 Kendy and Deputy Nick Robinson.

The suspect has been identified as 22-year-old Demarco Letroy Statham Jr. of Atlanta. Officials say he had been released from another Georgia prison just months earlier.

Statham faces multiple felony charges, including attempting to provide contraband to an inmate, drug possession with intent to distribute, and use of a communication facility to commit a felony, along with several misdemeanor charges.

Sheriff Mark Schrader praised the coordinated response, saying his office and prison officials take contraband attempts seriously and will continue working aggressively to stop them.