Sheriff’s deputies have charged a Decatur County man with trafficking cocaine after a search of his house last Friday netted suspected drugs, cash and drug paraphernalia, according to investigators.

Jose Refugio Diaz, 47, of 168 Shaeffer Drive, Bainbridge, was arrested early Friday at his residence, located off Georgia Highway 302 near the Georgia-Florida border. Inside Diaz’ home, Sheriff’s deputies found approximately 2 ounces of cocaine, some of which appeared to have been packaged for sale, said Capt. Chip Nix. Suspected marijuana, cash totaling in the thousands of dollars and a set of digital scales were also found.

The Sheriff’s Office seized a semi-trailer truck, car and pickup truck, which they plan to confiscate through the judicial system, Capt. Nix said. He said investigators suspect Diaz may have been involved in interstate distribution of illegal drugs. The Sheriff’s Office had been investigating Diaz since June 2008. Additional information provided by Investigator Mark Esquivel in the case, Nix said.

Armed robbery at Brock’s Tree of Treasures

Two men, one armed with a handgun, robbed Brock’s Tree of Treasures at 1203 Dothan Road in Bainbridge on Saturday afternoon.

The owner of the store, Alton “Peanut” Brock, told Bainbridge Public Safety officers that two black males in their early to mid 20s entered into the store, one carrying a handgun, and told him to get on the floor and give them the money.

Brock handed over the money from the cash register and what he had in his wallet—both totaling approximately $400, according to BPS Investigator Chris Jordan, who is working the case. The two males then ran from the store heading south on Church Street.

Officers responding to the call were unable to locate the suspects.

Brock told Investigator Jordan the two robbers had entered the store at around 1 p.m. that same day asking him what time the business closed.

Man charged with child molestation

Decatur County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Bainbridge man on Jan. 30 on the charge of child molestation.

Christopher Lee Rabon, 29, 1615 Libby St., Bainbridge was arrested at his home on Friday and charged with one count of aggravated child molestation and one count of child molestation.

Major Wendell Cofer said the victim in the case was a 7-year-old female. Cofer said the investigation took place over approximately one year and was a joint effort between the Sheriff’s Office and the Division of Family and Child Services (DFACS).

In a letter to The Post-Searchlight, Jim Meredith, a Bainbridge citizen with family ties to the parties involved in the case wrote, “There are those that think the accused [Rabon] did this [child molestation] however, I and others do not and we have not heard or seen any evidence that would change our minds.”