Cash and gun seized by DA’s office in 2021 chase

A Rockmart man who remains behind bars lost a big chunk of change and a handgun he owned at the time, according to a press release from the District Attorney’s office this evening.

Per the details of the release, the 2021 chase involving Jeffery Edward Hodges, now 37, of a Rockmart address, also saw police seize around $59,130 and a Glock 26 Handgun after he was arrested. During the incident, Hodges attempted to run from police in Cedartown in a 2012 Porsche SUV, which he overturned at Lake Creek Road in a crash.

The incident also saw police recover ecstasy, other narcotics, cocaine, and marijuana.

The release noted that all of this was found in a bag inside the vehicle with $56,000 in cash bundled together, and several thousand more found in a fanny pack Hodges had around his waist with the handgun when he was arrested.

Original coverage of that incident is available here.

The Tallapoosa Circuit District Attorney’s Office via Assistant DA Lisa Mason sought to seize those funds and the handgun, and in Superior Court Judge Andrew Roper’s court this week, they took that money from Hodges.

“A female associate of Hodges, who was not in the vehicle at the time of the crash, attempted to claim the currency,” the release stated.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Jaeson Smith stated, “These cases can become very complex with outside claims. However, Ms. Mason put up a great case and was able to prove that the funds and firearm were tied to the drug trade. We would like to thank the Polk County Police Department for their diligent investigation of the case. The District Attorney’s Office is extremely proud of the result and hope the community can be proud one more drug dealer is off the streets and the money he was making will now go to fight other dealers.”

Smith continued, “The District Attorney’s Office was able to bring the leading expert in the State of Georgia on drug asset forfeitures to train officers from every law enforcement department in Polk County. We are now reaping the rewards of training and better equipping our local officers.”

Though the seizure has already been completed, Hodges awaits trial following arraingment on charges related to this case in the state prison system after being convicted on another case.

Additional information about when he will face a judge for the 2021 drug seizure following his wreck will be announced at a later time.

Here’s the full release:

An order granting the State $59,130 and Glock 26 handgun was issued this week by Superior Court Judge Andrew Roper. The District Attorney’s Office filed the case to forfeit the funds and handgun after Jeffery Hodges was found in possession of over 164 grams of cocaine.

On June 24, 2021, a Polk County Police officer clocked a Porsche SUV at 84 mile per hour on Highway 27 South. The vehicle fled the officer at high rate of speed until crashing and rolling over on Lake Creek Road. Officer Kathleen Hansbrough located a bag in the vehicle with banded stacks of $100 bills totaling $56,000. A large amount of various drugs, sandwich baggies, scales and mail belonging to Hodges were also located in the bag. Hodges was wearing a fanny pack with the remaining currency and handgun inside.

Assistant District Attorney Lisa Mason led the forfeiture case for the State. A female associate of Hodges, who was not in the vehicle at the time of the crash, attempted to claim the currency. Chief Assistant District Attorney Jaeson Smith stated, “These cases can become very complex with outside claims. However, Ms. Mason put up a great case and was able to prove that the funds and firearm were tied to the drug trade. We would like to thank the Polk County Police Department for their diligent investigation of the case. The District Attorney’s Office is extremely proud of the result and hope the community can be proud one more drug dealer is off the streets and the money he was making will now go to fight other dealers.”