A 52-year-old Chattooga County man faces a litany of drug charges following a traffic stop last week on Penn Bridge Road that led to the seizure of suspected methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and other narcotics. A female passenger also fled the scene on foot and is now sought on active warrants.

John David Nash, 52, was arrested on Friday, August 8, 2025, after a Georgia State Patrol (GSP) trooper initiated a stop during a license checkpoint. Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Nick Robinson and his K-9 unit later assisted at the scene.

According to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office report, GSP Cpl. Keith Flowers contacted Deputy Nick Robinson after pulling over a Ford Ranger on Penn Bridge Road due to the strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. During a search of the driver, identified as John Nash, a “meth” pipe was reportedly located on his person.

Cpl. Flowers advised that an unidentified female passenger stepped out of the truck but then fled on foot into a nearby woodline. Deputy Robinson deployed K-9 Kendy at approximately 8:00 PM to attempt a track for the fleeing suspect. The track lasted 31 minutes, with K-9 Kendy showing signs of human odor, but due to high humidity, sprinkling rain, and K-9 fatigue, the track was called off, and the female was not apprehended at that time.

Upon returning to the vehicle, Cpl. Flowers informed Deputy Robinson that additional items had been located within the truck. The scene was then turned over to Deputy Robinson for further investigation.

Found on the tailgate of the truck, which had a Georgia tag of SEA2635, were multiple bags and items. These included:

• A gray bag containing a digital scale with suspected methamphetamine residue.
• A Great Value drink mix box that held a blue zip-lock bag containing approximately 20 grams of a white crystalline substance, which later field-tested positive for both methamphetamine and fentanyl.
• A glass smoking device believed to be from Mr. Nash’s person.
• Another bag containing two black bags, several syringes, three Narcan kits, another glass smoking device with suspected methamphetamine residue, a small baggie of green leafy substance believed to be marijuana (less than an ounce), Reynolds aluminum foil, and a box of yellow zip-lock style bags.
• Inside one of the larger black bags, a piece of aluminum foil contained a blue powder that field-tested positive for fentanyl.
• Inside a smaller black bag, a folded piece of aluminum foil contained a brown substance that field-tested positive for heroin.
• Two blue zip-lock bags containing white pills: one with inscriptions “U 135” identified as Clonidine, and another with inscriptions “50 50 50 13 32” identified as Trazodone. These prescription-only medications were not in their original containers.

After being read his Miranda warning by Cpl. Flowers, Nash identified the female who fled as Ms. Johna Carlton, who reportedly has active arrest warrants out of Walker County, Georgia.

Cpl. Flowers also conducted field sobriety tests on Mr. Nash and believed him to be under the influence, though Nash reportedly refused a blood draw. Cpl. Flowers issued traffic citations to Nash.

Deputy Robinson took possession of all suspected narcotics and confirmed that charges would be pursued against Mr. Nash. Deputy Robinson also stated he would be applying for arrest warrants for Ms. Johna Carlton for her role in the incident and her active warrants.

Nash faces multiple charges including Possession, Manufacturing, etc., of Certain Controlled Substances; Possession of Schedule II Drug(s); Possession of Schedule I Drug(s); Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Methamphetamine; Possession of Drug Related Objects; Marijuana Possession Less Than Ounce (Misdemeanor); and Drugs Not in Original Container.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details may be released as the case progresses.