Georgia woman turns herself into sheriff’s office on drug charges
Published 1:45 pm Friday, April 26, 2019
A Georgia woman turned herself into authorities Thursday on drug and fleeing from law enforcement charges.
Teresa Heard, 54, of Fairburn, Georgia, has been charged with trafficking in marijuana and fleeing to elude law enforcement. The charges stem from an incident with a Chambers County deputy being trapped in a car door, discharging his weapon and a vehicle pursuit.
Heard was released on $75,000 bond.
During an April 15 traffic stop on Interstate 85, Chambers County Deputy Colby Conway stopped a 2019 black Ford Edge near exit 70. While talking to the driver, identified as Heard, Conway received indicators of drug activity in the vehicle.
After removing Heard from the vehicle, a passenger identified as Kosiki Kione McDowell, also of Fairburn, maneuvered from the passenger side to the driver’s side and began to attempt to flee the scene, according to a Chambers County news release.
As McDowell was attempting to drive away, a struggle ensued between McDowell and Conway. During the altercation, Conway’s arm became trapped in the door as the suspect began to drive away.
During this event, Conway fired his weapon into the vehicle and freed himself, according to the news release.
Conway then began a vehicle pursuit until the suspect vehicle stopped at exit 66 in Lee County. Additional deputies responded to his location and assisted in taking McDowell into custody. A large suitcase containing many vacuum sealed packages of suspected marijuana was located in the vehicle, according to the press release.
McDowell was charged with first-degree assault, felony attempting to elude and trafficking in marijuana.
During the incident, Heard ran from the scene on foot and was not located until Thursday when she turned herself in.
McDowell is not currently listed as an inmate in the Chambers County Jail.