Wanted Tennessee Sex Offender Arrested With Girlfriend on Meth Charges at Haddock Dollar General

HADDOCK, Ga. — A registered sex offender wanted in Tennessee was arrested alongside his girlfriend after a Jones County sheriff’s deputy noticed suspicious behavior outside a Dollar General store in Haddock, authorities said.

John Thomas Mason and his girlfriend, Maranda Poss, were taken into custody Friday evening, November 6, 2026, after deputies discovered they were in possession of methamphetamine, according to the Jones County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident began when Deputy Van Deursen stopped at the Dollar General and noticed a man acting suspiciously in the parking lot.

According to the sheriff’s office, the man quickly turned away after noticing the deputy, returned to his vehicle and appeared to pull his baseball cap down in an attempt to conceal his face.

Van Deursen continued observing the man and a woman accompanying him as they entered and exited the store, remained inside for an extended period and later sat in their vehicle without leaving the parking lot.

Deputy Identifies Man Wanted in Tennessee

Further investigation identified the man as Mason, a registered sex offender with an outstanding warrant from Tennessee.

As Mason and Poss attempted to leave the parking lot, Van Deursen and additional Jones County deputies stopped their vehicle and made contact with them.

During the encounter, deputies discovered that both Mason and Poss possessed methamphetamine.

Mason was arrested on his outstanding Tennessee warrant, while Poss was charged with hindering apprehension.

Both were also charged with possession of methamphetamine.

The sheriff’s office reported that Mason and Poss remained in custody at the time of its announcement.

The Jones County Sheriff’s Office praised Deputy Van Deursen for recognizing the suspicious behavior and continuing to monitor the situation, which ultimately led to the arrests.