2 teenagers accused of starting forest fire to hide contraband, Ga. sheriff says

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ga. — Two teenagers are behind bars after officials say they started a forest fire to burn evidence of a contraband drop.

Washington County sheriff officials said on Thursday, deputies received reports of a suspicious person on Sparta Davisboro Road.

When deputies arrived, they found a vehicle with Tennessee plates with a teenager in the driver’s seat. They also saw two more teenagers, later identified as 18-year-old Travis Smith and 18-year-old Bryant Thaxton, go into the woods.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

After calling K9 units to apprehend the Smith and Thaxton, deputies discovered a forest fire. Crews quickly responded and extinguished the fire.

No one was injured while extinguishing the fire.

According to the investigation, the two suspects started the fire to destroy contraband that was intended to be smuggled into Washington State Prison.

TRENDING STORIES:

• REPORT: Mother, friend fight to save child from kidnapper during hiking trip at Ga. state park
• Man arrested after shooting in Georgia Whataburger parking lot was SWAT Team medic, GBI says
• Metro Atlanta family remembers former college football player shot and killed by girlfriend

Smith and Thaxton were charged with criminal attempt of trading with inmates, criminal trespass and burning of woodlands or other lands.

The incident remains under investigation.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:

Fentanyl overdose suspect in death of UGA student denied bond

©2023 Cox Media Group