Four Arrested in Clay County Fentanyl Investigation After Traffic Stop Leads to Search Warrant on Cold Branch Road

Clay County Sheriff's Office

Press Release

A traffic stop conducted on 07/27/26 at approximately 1:30 p.m. by Clay County Investigator J.J. Wooten and led to a drug investigation that culminated in the execution of a search warrant at a residence on Cold Branch Road. As a result, four arrests were made and a quantity of suspected fentanyl, drug paraphernalia, and multiple cell phones were seized.

The traffic stop involved a vehicle driven by Brady Payne from Andrews. Payne was not arrested and was not charged with any drug-related offenses. Payne was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time by giving someone a ride. He was issued a traffic citation only then sent on his way.

During the stop, passenger Daniel Scott Turner, 28 years of age from Hayesville, admitted that he had fentanyl at his residence at 176 Cold Branch Trail . This admission along with other information known to Investigator Wooten and Clay County Lt. Brandon Coker, who arrived to assist, established probable cause to seek a search warrant for the residence.

During a search of the residence, officers seized suspected fentanyl, drug-packaging materials, digital scales, miscellaneous items of paraphernalia, and multiple cellphones. The evidence seized supported several felony charges. The cell phones were believed to contain relevant evidence and will be forensically searched by Clay County Investigator Steven Smith.

As a result of this investigation, Daniel Turner; Breanna Jean Turner, 30 years of age from Hayesville; Robert Joshua Brown, 38 years of age from Murphy; and Elizabeth Katylin Trantham, 28 years of age from Andrews were arrested and transported to the Clay County Detention Center.

Daniel Turner was charged with felony Sell or Deliver Fentanyl, felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Fentanyl, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and given a $45,000 secured bond for his release. Breanna Turner was charged with felony Sell or Deliver Fentanyl, felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Fentanyl, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and held without bond. Brown was charged with felony Possession of Fentanyl and given a $15,000 secured bond for his release. Trantham was charged with felony Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and held without bond.