Canton Man Who Escaped Police on Floating Log Indicted on Drug Charges

A Canton man who eluded police by floating on a log in the Etowah River has been indicted on drug possession charges.

Terry Raymond Spriggs, 42, was indicted last week by Cherokee County grand jury on two counts possession of methamphetamine, one count of theft by receiving stolen property and one count of possession of drug-related objects.

The theft by receiving charge alleges Spriggs illegally came into possession of a 2004 Suzuki SU650 motorcycle.

Spriggs is set to be arraigned on the charges on Oct. 7 in Cherokee County Superior Court.

Spriggs was originally wanted by the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad on outstanding warrants for two counts of possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine and two counts of probation violation.

CMANS agents approached and attempted to arrest Spriggs on the afternoon of May 19 at a relative’s home near Westview Street and Marietta Highway in Canton and the suspect took off on foot.

Spriggs crossed Marietta Highway and entered the Etowah River. Canton officers assisted CMANS agents in attempting to apprehend Spriggs, but the man attached himself to a log, refused to swim ashore and began floating down the river.

Agents were able to follow Spriggs on foot down stream for about a quarter of a mile before they lost sight of him due to the thick brush and trees along the shore line of the river.

CMANS agents eventually tracked Spriggs to the Woodstock residence, and on May 28, CMANS agents and deputies with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office arrested Spriggs, who was discovered hiding in a clothes closet covered with a blanket.

(Photo: Terry Raymond Spriggs, 42, of Canton. Credit: Cherokee Sheriff’s Office)