Homeless man arrested for ‘shooting up’ with girlfriend in hospital bathroom

CLAYTON — A homeless man was arrested on multiple drug charges after he was found “shooting up” in the Mountain Lakes Medical Center.

According to the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office, Joshua Lee Justus, of Mountain City, was visiting his ill girlfriend who was a patient at the hospital located in Clayton.

Justus, 30, told law enforcement his visit had been cut short and was forced to leave the premises after he was caught trying to cover a sore on his girlfriends leg —  a statement which proved to be untrue after multiple sources from the medical center told law enforcement that he and his girlfriend were shooting up in the hospital’s bathroom.

Law enforcement stopped Justus as he was leaving the hospital and offered to give him a ride, but said he would need to be patted down before entering the patrol car in the case of dangerous weapons. The man obliged, and as the deputy patted him down a syringe fell to the ground.

During this time the hospital security arrived and advised the officer that Justus had locked himself and his girlfriend in the bathroom and would not come out for an extended period of time.

However, hospital staff stated when Justus did eventually leave, a strong chemical smell lingered behind as if something had been burning.

Law enforcement proceeded to search Justus and his belongings after learning this information and found two prescription bottles – one of which authorities believed to be oxycodone, a schedule II narcotic. Also recovered were several syringes and a burned spoon.

Upon further examination, sheriff’s deputies found the man’s girlfriends name scribbled on both of the containers holding the drugs.

Justus admitted to shooting up in the hospital with his girlfriend and was immediately placed under arrest and taken to the Rabun County Detention Center.

Justus has been charged with possession of a schedule II controlled substance, possession and use of drug-related objects and prescription drugs must be in their original container(s).