James M. Walton
The Dalton Police Department is asking for the public’s help locating James M. Walton, 18.
Walton is wanted on warrants for his role in an attempted armed robbery during a drug deal in November 2017. The botched robbery led to a shooting in which Walton was injured. Walton was previously expected to turn himself in to authorities on his warrants but has failed to do so. Four other arrests have already been made in the case.
Dalton investigators say that on Nov. 27, at approximately 5 p.m., Nathan Brett Hastey, 19, and Elijah Damon Ensley, 17, went to 408 Wrinkle Street to sell marijuana to Walton and Donte Jackson, 20. Hastey and Ensley have already surrendered to police and were arrested on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
The Dalton Police Department’s investigation determined that Jackson and Walton intended to rob Hastey and Ensley instead of following through with the drug transaction. Investigators say Jackson produced a handgun and the robbery attempt led to a fight between the parties.
During a struggle for the handgun, a single shot was fired which struck Walton in the face and exited before lodging in his shoulder. Jackson was arrested on Nov. 30, and charged with two counts each of armed robbery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and one count each of tampering with evidence and aggravated battery. Walton has since been released from the hospital and recovered from his injuries enough to face charges in the case. Joana Cisneros, who was in a relationship with Walton and helped to facilitate the drug transaction, turned herself in on a charge of conspiracy to commit a felony earlier this month.
Walton is an African-American male, standing 5’7” tall and weighing approximately 145 pounds. He is charged with two counts of armed robbery, two counts of false imprisonment, two counts of aggravated assault, and one count each of simple assault and conspiracy to commit a felony.
If you know where Walton can be found, contact Detective Brian Shirley at 706 278-9085, extension 9189.