James Calvin Sluder Jr. , a 49-year-old man from northeast Georgia, has been arrested on multiple felony charges, including possession of an illegal “ghost gun” and trafficking methamphetamine. The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, alongside the GBI Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, executed arrest warrants following a two-month investigation into Sluder's activities. During the operation at his residence on Quarles Lane in Ellijay, investigators seized 5. 6 ounces of methamphetamine and 1.

8 pounds of marijuana, indicating a substantial drug trafficking operation. The ghost gun, described as a fully-automatic AR-15-style rifle with a sound suppressor, raises significant concerns about the accessibility of untraceable firearms in the community. Sluder faces serious felonies, including multiple counts of trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of illegal firearms, highlighting the growing issue of drug-related crime in the region. This incident reflects broader societal concerns regarding gun control and drug trafficking, which are critical issues in many localities across the United States. As law enforcement continues to combat these challenges, community safety remains a top priority.

The ongoing investigation may lead to further developments in addressing the underlying issues of drug abuse and illegal firearms.