CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.c. (WDEF) — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) arrested multiple people in relation to drug trafficking.
On August 17, 2025, the CCSO received a tip about two suspects who traveled to Georgia to obtain methamphetamine to distribute in Cherokee County.
Authorities conducted a traffic stop, in which they seized nine ounces of methamphetamine and 12 ounces of gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) also known as a “date rape” drug.
According to the CCSO, Robert Gerald Stiles and Shandar Michelle Kauffman were arrested and are being charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine along with other drug related charges.
Following the traffic stop, search warrants were obtained for the residence of a Brianna Renee Sherman.
On August 19, 2025, authorities executed the search warrant at Sherman’s residence.
The CCSO said methamphetamine and fentanyl were seized during the search.
Sherman was taken into custody shortly after.
Authorities also obtained and executed a search warrant for Sherman’s phone.
Evidence was recovered from the search of the phone connecting Sherman to Stiles.
Sherman was later booked into the Cherokee County Detention Center under a $250,000 bond.
She’s being charged with Conspiracy to Traffick Methamphetamine.
The CCSO says Stiles is also facing Conspiracy charges pending his release from Gilmer County Detention Center.
“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.”
-Dustin Smith, Cherokee County Sheriff
