Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Arrest in Clay County

Clay County Sheriff’s Office

Press Release

On 08/26/26 at 11:08 PM Clay County Lt. Tyler Faggard, Detective Steven Smith, Detective Brandon Coker, Sgt Ethan Henderson, and Deputy Sean Stout stopped a Buick SUV suspected of having Christopher Cord Cothren, 34 years of age from Hiawassee, GA as an occupant.

Cothren had a history of fleeing from, and eluding law enforcement as well as outstanding felony warrants for his arrest out of Union County, GA. The SUV was quickly penned in by the Officers when stopped. Cothren was found to be seated within the vehicle, removed, and handcuffed.

A search of Cothren’s person yielded several hypodermic syringes loaded with liquid and a plastic baggy containing a white crystalline substance. The liquids and white crystalline substance field tested positive for methamphetamine. Cothren was arrested for felony Possession of Methamphetamine and being a fugitive from Georgia. During the walk from the SUV to an awaiting patrol vehicle he began resisting the Officers.

Once in the limited space of the open doorway of the patrol vehicle, Cothren began kicking out and preventing the door from being closed.

Cothren was warned then “dry stunned” with a Taser (without projected wire barbs) on his leg for compliance in order to get the door closed. Cothren was transported to the Clay County Detention Center where he was checked by EMS and charged with Felony Possession of Methamphetamine and being a fugitive from Union County, GA.

Cothren was not issued a bond for his release.