On Thursday August 25, 2022 at approximately 10:22 p.m. a teenager left her job on Hwy 53 North to travel home. The residence is on the Jackson Trail Road area after you cross the 4 way stop on Hwy 11. After turning onto Hwy 124 in Braselton, she noticed a vehicle following her very closely. She would speed up and the vehicle would speed up and then the person in the vehicle turned on the flashers, continuing to follow her and pulling beside her also. Then the vehicle passed her and pulled in front of her, brake checking her. She called her father to tell him she was being followed and at that time her mother called Jackson County 911. The vehicle continued to follow her even as she turned into the neighborhood. The victim’s father intervened and the suspect was taken into custody by deputies.

Volodymyr Ionashku, age 24 of 160 Panther Court Hoschton was arrested for Driving Under the Influence, Driving While Unlicensed, and Failure to Maintain Lane. This is an ongoing investigation with more charges anticipated.

Please talk to your teenagers and advise them to be mindful of their surroundings at all times, even as they are driving, especially at night. This victim did exactly as she should have in calling her father and then the mother calling 911 to have Deputies respond.

Citizens are encouraged to notify their local law enforcement agencies of any suspicious persons, crimes or other relevant information by calling 911 or the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at (706) 367-8718. Also please remember that you can provide information without being involved or identified by contacting the Jackson County Sheriff’s Offices Anonymous Tip Line (706) 367-3784 to report any Criminal or Suspicious Activity.

Release by:

Sheriff Janis G. Mangum

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office

555 Stan Evans Dr.

Jefferson, GA 30549

Office (706)367-8718

Fax (706) 387-6075