THOMASVILLE — A December kidnapping case — with several ransom demands — involved would-be ransom drops in Thomas County and a bound victim in Brooks County.

The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office notified Thomas County counterparts about a young man being kidnapped and his family being contacted about a ransom payment.

The Thomas County Sheriff’s Office and Thomasville police pursued two vehicles described as being used in the kidnapping. The pursuits ended because of speeds at which the fleeing vehicles were traveling, said Capt. Tim Watkins, sheriff’s office chief investigator.

Watkins said the victim’s family received a second call demanding a ransom that was to be delivered at a Thomasville business parking lot.

“That fell through,” Watkins said

A failed attempt was made to set up a ransom delivery at a U.S. 84 East store, then a U.S. 84 business in Boston, where the victim’s family delivered the money.

Two suspects — one age 14 — were arrested at the ransom drop. 

“They gave the identity of two other suspects,” Watkins said.

The younger suspect told investigators the victim was picked up in Brooks County and taken to a Brooks County house where they guarded the man.

Meanwhile, Watkins said, the other suspects continued to try to get money from the victim’s family.

The victim was interviewed by Thomas County authorities. 

“He said he met a woman for a tryst,” Watkins said, adding that the woman lured him to a Lowndes County location, where he was struck on the head, bound and taken to a vacant Brooks County house.

He was bound to a chair and left in a cold house near Dixie. He was later picked up by the suspects while they continued to make ransom demands.

Lowndes deputies rescued the man after yet another ransom attempt was made. Suspects’ vehicle was pursued and disabled.

Taken into custody were Eric Turner, 17, Quitman, and Kendrick Gosier, 18, Dixie. Watkins said the house where the victim was held is Gosier’s former residence.

The 14-year-old male suspect taken into custody in Thomasville and was being held at the Loftiss Regional Youth Detention Center. Also arrested here was Tabyas Dasher, 17, Quitman.

Suspects are charged here with kidnapping and false imprisonment and face charges in Lowndes and Brooks counties.

An 18-year-old Meigs woman will be charged in the case.

A U.S. Marshals Service task force helped locate the victim.

  

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820