Paul Hankins mugshot (Courtesy of Henderson County)

Henderson County authorities arrested three people on drug charges. Two people were arrested after search warrants were executed at two separate residences in Athens and a man was arrested near Chandler after a traffic stop revealed he was in possession of what deputies believed to be methamphetamine, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. 

The sheriff’s office said Jasmine Janay Thornton, 28, of Athens was arrested about 6 p.m. Wednesday when deputies executed a search warrant in the 300 block of Barker Street. 

Deputies found Thornton in possession of what they believe methamphetamine and items commonly used by dealers for the sale and distribution of the narcotic, according to the sheriff’s office. 

Thornton was charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance in penalty group 1 weighing 4 grams but less than 200 grams, according to jail records.  

Thornton was taken to the Henderson County jail where she remains held on a $10,000 bond, according to jail records. 

The sheriff’s office said a second search warrant was executed at a house on Maryland Drive where authorities found Misty Dawn Stokes, 33, of Athens in possession of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Stokes was taken to the Henderson County Jail and charged with possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1 weighing at least 1 gram but less than 4 grams, according to jail records. 

Stokes was being held on a $8,500 bond, according to jail records. 

The sheriff’s office went on to say deputies conducted a traffic stop about 10 p.m. at the intersection of Farm-to-Market Road 315 and FM 317 where they identified Paul Andrew Hankins, 39 as the driver of a pickup.  

Deputies said when Hankins was asked to step out of his vehicle he dropped a syringe which was filled with a liquid substance believed to be methamphetamine, according to the sheriff’s office. 

The sheriff’s office said a search of Hankins pockets revealed more suspected methamphetamine.

Deputies had Hankins vehicle impounded and took him to the Henderson County Jail where he was was charged with possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1 weighing less than 1 gram and tampering with evidence, according to the sheriff’s office. 

As of 10:45 a.m. Thursday, Hankins bonds were not set, according to jail records.