Full Notification

Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry announces that one suspect is in custody in an apparent kidnapping of an adult male which took place on Brown Road near the Green County line off Salem Road in Farmington yesterday.

At 1000 hours investigators for the Sheriff’s Office received information that Detrick Favors (40) of 1902 Brown Road in Farmington was being held for a significant ransom demand. The reporter had specific information which led deputies and investigators to go to Favors residence off Brown Road. Upon their arrival they observed the front door had been apparently been shot through and smashed open, and a rear window had been used to exit the residence.

Investigators intercepted communication from the kidnappers and discovered that they would be at the Publix Shopping Center at Butler’s Crossing for a ransom drop. Investigators placed that location under surveillance and arrested Justin D. Jackson (24) of an unknown Augusta, GA, address when he appeared at the Domino’s Pizza Restaurant located next to Publix to pick up the ransom. At the time of his arrest Jackson was armed with a .32 caliber handgun.

Investigators developed information that led to several locations being searched for Favors. The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office received a call that Favors had been found near Rutledge at 4:30 pm by a citizen who was not involved in the case, and Morgan County deputies met with Favors and turned him over to Oconee Sheriff’s personnel. Favors had mild injuries suffered in the kidnapping. The ransom was not paid.

This investigation is ongoing and in cooperation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office out of Macon and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Federal charges are being contemplated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Jackson is currently facing local charges of First Degree Burglary, Kidnapping with Bodily Injury, Aggravated Assault, and False Imprisonment. Additional charges may be added.

Details of ransom amounts and specific investigative techniques will not be released. There is no timeline for the release of additional information. The other suspects involved in the kidnapping will be released at an appropriate time.

This case is STILL ONGOING. NO FURTHER DETAILS WILL BE RELEASED TODAY UNLESS ADDITIONAL ARRESTS ARE MADE.