Two Men Arrested Following Drug Investigation in White and Hall Counties

White County, GA & Hall County, GA (April 4, 2024) – The GBI has arrested Travis Sims, age 49, of Gainesville, GA, and Derrance Damon, age 43, of Cleveland, GA, following a joint drug investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, DEA Atlanta, ATF, the White County Sheriff’s Office, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, the Gainesville Police Department, and the Georgia State Patrol Gainesville Post. On March 28, 2024, Sims was arrested and charged with the trafficking of fentanyl, trafficking of cocaine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and sale of cocaine. Damon was arrested and charged with trafficking of fentanyl, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  

After a three-month multi-agency investigation, investigators executed search warrants at a home in the 4000 block of Post Road, Cleveland, GA, and a storage unit located in Gainesville, GA. The following items were seized on March 30, 2024: 

• Over half a pound of suspected fentanyl 

• Over 110 grams of suspected crack cocaine 

• Over half an ounce of suspected powder cocaine 

• Numerous prescription pills 

• Firearms  

The total street value of the drugs seized is $23,000.  

Multiple agencies conducted this investigation to make an impact on the current street level drug distribution within Hall and White Counties and promote a safer place for productive citizens. 

This investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are anticipated.  

If you have information related to drug activity, you are encouraged to call ARDEO at 706-348-7410. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app. 

The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Banks County, Jackson County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Franklin County, Gilmer County, Fannin County, the Cleveland Police Department and the Toccoa Police Department, along with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Community Supervisor, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.