Joint Investigation Leads to Drug Trafficking Arrests

Cherokee Sheriff's Office

Press Release

On August 17, 2025, a joint investigation into local drug trafficking resulted in the arrest of two individuals from Cherokee County, North Carolina.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, in cooperation with the Union County, GA Sheriff’s Office, Fannin County, GA Sheriff’s Office, Gilmer County, GA Sheriff’s Office, and Clay County, NC Sheriff’s Office, conducted a coordinated operation that led to the arrest of Robert Gerald Stiles and Shandar Michelle Kauffman, both residents of Cherokee County.

Investigators received information that the two suspects had traveled to Georgia to obtain methamphetamine for distribution in Cherokee County. A traffic stop was conducted as part of the operation, during which approximately 9 ounces of methamphetamine and 12 ounces of gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), commonly referred to as the “date rape” drug was recovered. Stiles and Kauffman were taken into custody without incident. Both individuals face charges of Trafficking in Methamphetamine along with additional drug-related offenses.

Following up on information received during the investigation, Search Warrants were obtained and on August 19th, 2025, Narcotics Agents executed a search warrant at the residence of Brianna Renee Sherman in the Ranger community. During the course of the search warrant, Methamphetamine and Fentanyl were seized and Sherman was placed under arrest. A second search warrant was executed for the forensic analysis of Sherman’s cell phone. Based on information obtained, Sherman was connected to Stiles and charged with Conspiracy to Traffick Methamphetamine to Cherokee County. On August 25th, 2025, Sherman was arrested at her residence and booked into the Cherokee County Detention Center. Sherman was set a $250,000.00 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in Cherokee County District Court on September 10th, 2025. Stiles also faces Conspiracy charges pending his release from Gilmer County Detention Center.

Sheriff Dustin Smith issued the following statement:

“I want to thank our local and regional partners for their continued cooperation and commitment to combating the flow of illegal drugs into our communities. These arrests demonstrate what can be accomplished when agencies work together with a shared mission of protecting our citizens. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office remains dedicated to identifying, investigating, and disrupting drug trafficking operations that threaten the safety of our community.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.