Wanted Georgia Fugitive and Wanted Local Fugitive Captured After Foot Pursuit in Ranger Community

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Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

Press Release

In the early morning hours of August 14, 2026, the newly created Special Operations Division was conducting proactive patrols in the Ranger Community when Deputy Tristan Howard initiated a traffic stop on Holiness Church Road.

Deputy Howard, who recently joined the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office as one of the newly established uniformed positions within the Special Operations Division, conducted the traffic stop. During the stop, the male driver, later identified as Randy Ledford, fled the vehicle on foot. Deputy Howard pursued Ledford and was able to quickly gain ground, tackle, and take the male into custody.

Ledford was found to be wanted out of Georgia on felony charges. A passenger in the vehicle, identified as David Corso, remained at the scene and was also taken into custody after deputies learned he had an outstanding order for his arrest stemming from a failure to appear on felony charges. Both men were arrested and transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center.

Ledford is being held without bond on the Georgia warrant and was issued a $1,000 secured bond on a charge of Resisting a Public Officer. Corso is being held on a $30,000 secured bond.

Sheriff Chris Wood stated, “The creation of the Special Operations Division is about putting our deputies in a position to be proactive, visible, and effective. This incident is exactly what this Division is about. Deputy Howard did a great job recognizing the situation, responding quickly, and safely taking this wanted individual into custody. We always encourage people to comply with law enforcement and make choices that keep everyone safe.”

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