“Hotrod” Held for Drug Trafficking, Criminal Street Gang Activity

PRESS RELEASE – On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office Crime Suppression Unit, in conjunction with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) task force, arrested Johnny Rodrickus “Hotrod” Jones.

Jones, a previously convicted felon, was originally sentenced in connection to a shooting at the Toccoa Pines (Prather Park) apartment complex on January 2, 2022.

He pled guilty to three counts of Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Prevention Act.

A Superior Court Judge sentenced Jones, 33 of Toccoa, to 20 years, with three years to be served in the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC).

The terms of his punishment also included banishment from the Mountain Judicial Circuit, including Stephens, Habersham and Rabun counties.

After his recent release from GDC, concerned citizens reported that Jones was once again involved in criminal street gang activity and drug trafficking in northeast Georgia.

ARDEO, GBI Metro Gang Task Force and FBI-North Georgia Major Offenders Task Force agents, along with SCSO criminal investigators, initiated an investigation.

They identified that Jones was operating a ruby red 2006 Ford Mustang while conducting illegal activities.

On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, law enforcement officials located Jones’ vehicle inside Stephens County, an area from which he was banished.

That afternoon, they conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. They confirmed Jones as the driver and conducted a search of the vehicle.

Inside the vehicle, agents and investigators located a quantity of marijuana, suspected criminal street gang paraphernalia, digital scales and packaging materials, and $790 in U.S. currency.

Jones was arrested and transported to the Stephens County Detention Center. During the booking process, Jones attempted to conceal multiple illegal substances, including suspected hydrocodone, suspected methamphetamine, a felony amount of suspected marijuana, and suspected crack cocaine.

Jones has been charged with the following offenses:

Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Schedule 2 Controlled Substances with Intent to Distribute (Crack Cocaine), Possession of Schedule 2 Controlled Substances with Intent to Distribute (Hydrocodone), Possession of Methamphetamine, Felony Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Schedule 2 Controlled Substances (Crack Cocaine), Possession of Schedule 2 Controlled Substances (Hydrocodone), and four Counts of Crossing Guard Lines with Drugs without Consent of Warden.

For these charges, Jones’ bond was set at $141,000 by the Stephens County Magistrate Court.

Jones has also received eight counts of Unlawful Participation in Criminal Street Gang Activity.

Jones was given “No Bond” on these charges, and will have to see a Stephens County Superior Court Judge to determine a bond for these charges.

This investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with additional information related to this case or other criminal gangs and drug activity is urged to contact the GBI ARDEO Tip Line at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477) and or the SCSO Criminal Investigations Tip Line at (706) 898-7048. Tips may also be submitted anonymously online at gbi.georgia.gov or on the SCSO app using the “Submit a Tip” form.