UPSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY RECEIVES GRANT

 For Immediate Release: The Upson Historical Society is proud to announce its recent successful grant application through the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council, GHRAC. GHRAC awarded the Upson Historical Society $3,800 toward its preservation project, and the funds will be used to improve the preservation and access of archival materials housed in the Pettigrew-White-Stamps House Museum. We will utilize these funds to establish a system to process, preserve, and rehouse archival materials in our collection such as maps, manuscripts, and photos in a manner consistent with standard archival practices. The Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council is an organization which seeks to enrich the culture and protect the rights of Georgians by fostering activities that identify, preserve, and provide access to the State’s documentary heritage. This project aligns with the Upson Historical Society goals to strengthen the collection at the PWSH Museum. The project is expected to be completed by June 30, 2023, and volunteers are needed to assist with the project. If you are interested in volunteering for this project or others, please contact the UHS at (706) 601-3610 or upsonhistoricalsociety1968@gmail.com.

DA MARIE BRODER REPORTS

 Three doses of justice

To say that I am proud of my employees for their work during the past few weeks would be the understatement of the year. My offices in Fayette and Spalding County were absolute warriors in trial. In Fayette County, a jury found Jermaine Harmon guilty of Felony Murder after the Defendant shot Joshua Kellum. Warren Sellers and Dan Hiatt tried the case for the State and did an excellent job. The victim was by all accounts a great man and devoted father who found himself in a domestic dispute that turned deadly. Mr. Kellum came to Georgia to deal with a custody issue and accidentally left a bag containing important documents with his daughter. After multiple efforts to retrieve the bag from his daughter’s mother and her now husband in a respectful and reasonable way, he was shot dead by Harmon on the porch of the house where his daughter was staying. It was a senseless and unnecessary murder where the defendant claimed self-defense but a jury rejected that defense completely. This case was heart-breaking because a man died after a foolish dispute over a bag. The man who killed him was probably not “evil,” in the sense that he walked the earth desiring to harm others, but instead was drawn to homicide by the short-sighted grievances of a child custody matter. Judge W. Fletcher Sams appeared to recognize this same issue during remarks he made as he sentenced the Defendant to Life in Prison.

I have seen too many people killed because of warped matters of the heart. If you are angry about a domestic dispute, I beg you to pause before resorting to violence. Murder is not the answer and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Meanwhile, in Spalding County, a jury found Jonathan Smith guilty of Aggravated Assault arising from a domestic violence dispute. David Studdard and Adelle Petersen tried the case for the State. Domestic violence is fueled by a desire for control and power over another. The abuser controls every aspect of the victim’s life and uses violence to achieve that power. In his closing, David Studdard told the jurors to stand up for the victim and stop the abuse. That’s just what they did. Judge Benjamin Coker sentenced the Defendant to 20 years to serve.

This same week, another case that was tried in Spalding County forced me to reckon with the bounds of evil that we as prosecutors must face. A 12-year-old girl made an outcry to an aunt and her friend because her own biological father had molested her for years. The nature of the defendant’s depraved acts forced upon his own daughter are too horrible to publish. Twelve jurors from Spalding County heard them all in a courtroom and promptly found the defendant, Brian Brinkerhoff, guilty of multiple counts of Aggravated Child Molestation. These cases are some of the most difficult to try because most people do not want to believe that a father is capable of leveraging a child’s natural love into wretched depravity. What furthers the heartbreak in these cases is that the victims are often devastated that their abuser will spend the life in jail. Children will always love their parents, no matter how terribly they are treated. But with time they can see the reality of what happened and learn to heal. Kate Lenhard and

Holly MacDonald stood up for a vulnerable victim this week and Judge Scott Ballard sentenced the Defendant to Life in Prison followed by 30 years to serve.

Justice was duly served this week. But it was a hard fight. We’ll continue the fight next week. Until next time, be kind to one another and enjoy the last few weeks of Summer

14-year-old girl arrested for fire set inside Peachtree City Walmart

WSB TV is Reporting: Police have charged a 14-year-old with arson one week after police say someone intentionally set a fire inside a Fayette County Walmart.

 

Peachtree City Fire Department Chief Wilbur Harbin said the fire broke out inside the store on Highway 54 just after 7 p.m. last Wednesday.

 

Police confirm that they have arrested a 14-year-old girl. Her name has not been released.

 

Body camera footage showed the tense moments Peachtree City officers spent searching the burning Walmart for customers trapped inside.

 

“Anybody in here? Everybody out!” the officers can be heard shouting.

 

A Walmart employee, who did not want to be identified, told Channel 2 that when she saw the fire, she also started yelling for people to get out of the store.

 

“Just telling them, ‘Come on! Let’s go, we gotta go!’” she said.

 

Luckily, no customers were injured. Three officers were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, but have since been released.

 

It took hours to put out the flames, with firefighters from Peachtree City, Coweta County, Fayetteville and Fayette County finally extinguishing the fire around 4 a.m. Thursday.

 

The store sustained extensive damage to the interior and the roof.

ARSON CASE IN UPSON CO

 Two male juveniles, age 13 and 15, have been referred to juvenile court on charges of Arson in the first degree. The two juveniles admitted that they went into a residence located at 544 Ellerbeetown Road in western Upson County on Friday August 26, 2022, between 8:00 p.m. and 11:55 p.m. and set fire to the home by using a cigarette lighter. The unoccupied home was totally destroyed and valued at approximately $12,000 dollars. The juveniles were charged and released to their parents pending court.

Dan Kilgore, Sheriff

August 30, 2022

DA MARIE BRODER ANNOUNCES CONVICTION IN SPALDING CO

 On Friday, a Spalding County jury convicted Brian Marshall Brinkerhoff, a 42-year-old man from Griffin, GA of multiple counts of abuse against children. The defendant was arrested in April of 2020 after allegations surfaced that he was touching the victim, his daughter, inappropriately. During the investigation, it was discovered that the defendant was grooming the victim over a substantial period of time, “teaching” the victim how engage in multiple sex acts. The details of the abuse are so horrific that it is impossible to relay them in a press release. The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Senior Assistant District Attorney Kathryn Lenhard and Assistant District Attorney Holly MacDonald presented the case for the State.

Unknown to the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes division was running a simultaneous investigation into crimes committed by the defendant. From 2017 through 2019, the defendant posed as a 16-year-old on Facebook where he trolled for teenage girls online. He engaged in explicit sex talk with young teens, and then, despite being told the girls were under 16 years of age, would befriend, groom, and bully the girls to send nude pictures to him over Facebook Messenger.

A Spalding County jury found the defendant guilty of Aggravated Child Molestation, three counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery, Incest, and five counts of Obscene Internet Contact with a Child. The Honorable Scott Ballard sentenced the defendant to Life in Prison followed by 30 years to serve.

ADA Lenhard said, “[t]his case is built of the nightmares of parents across the country. Unsuspecting teenagers played right into his hands as he manipulated

them into taking their clothes off and sending images that will exist online forever. Meanwhile, the defendant played out his basest fantasies in real life on a victim within his own home; a girl who had nowhere else to turn.”

District Attorney Marie Broder agreed and said, “the crimes committed by this man were, simply put, horrific. I’m so proud of the jury, law enforcement, and my team for working so hard to make sure this defendant was held accountable for his crimes. People who commit these crimes do so in the dark. We are committed to exposing these evildoers and standing up for the most vulnerable in this Circuit

TPD JOINS FBI INVESTIGATING FRAUD

 THE  FBI  HAS  ENLISTED  THE  ASSISTANCE  OF  THE  THOMASTON  POLICE  DEPARTMENT  IN  TRACKING  DOWN  FRAUD  IN  THE  PPP  FEDERAL LOAN  PROGRAM--THE  PROGRAM  INITIATED  BY  THE  TRUMP  AND  BIDEN  ADMINISTRATIONS  TO  HELP   BUSINESSES  COPE  WITH  THE  IMPACT  OF  COVID-19.  TPD  WAS  ADVISED  HOW  TO  RESEARCH  FRAUD  IN  LOANS  OF  UNDER  $20,000,  LOANS  THAT  WERE  FORGIVEN.  PPP  LOANS  TOTALING  OVER     $50  MILLION  WERE  DISTRIBUTED  IN  UPSON  COUNTY  TO  BUSINESSES  AND  PERHAPS  SOME  WHO  DID  NOT  QUALIFY  FOR  THEM.  THE  FBI  HAS  DISCOVERED  MILLIONS  IN  FRAUDULENT  LOANS  SINCE  OPENING      INVESTIGATIONS .

UPSON CO TAX COMMISSIONER ANDY CHASTAIN REPORTS TAX DIGEST APPROVED

 Aug. 29th, 2022 Upson County’s 2022 property tax digest was approved by the Georgia Dept. of Revenue Friday, August 26th. Property tax bills will be mailed out Sept. 1st and will be due by Nov. 14th, 2022. We encourage taxpayers to take advantage of our online payment system located under Office of Tax Commissioner on the Upson County website or come in as early as possible to avoid long lines during the first two weeks of November. If you have any questions or concerns about your property tax bill, feel free to contact the tax office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. & 4:45 p.m. Monday-Friday..

MEDI-COPTER IN PIKE CO

 PIKE  COUNTY FIRE  DEPARTMENT   REPORTS  ON  A   LIFEFLIGHT  SITUATION  THURSDAY  EVENING  ON  THE  SOUTHSIDE  OF  THE  COUNTY.   A  MEDI-COPTER  USED  CHESTNUT  OAKS  ARENA  SITE    AS  A  LANDING  ZONE  AFTER  A   CONSTRUCTION  WORKER  AT  A  HOUSE  REMODEL  PROJECT    SUSTAINED  A  HEAD   INJURY  BY  FALLING  DEBRIS  AND  WAS  TRANSPORTED  TO   A  METRO  E.R.

DA MARIE BRODER ON MURDER CONVICTION

 On Thursday, August 25th, after a four day trial, a Fayette County jury convicted Jermaine Alfonso Harmon, a 49-year-old man from Fayetteville, GA of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. The Honorable W. Fletcher Sams sentenced the defendant to Life in prison plus 5 years. Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Warren Sellers and Senior Assistant District Attorney Dan Hiatt tried the case for the State. The case was investigated by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.

The evidence at trial showed that the victim Joshua Kellam returned his 10-year-old daughter to the home of the child’s mother and the Defendant after a month long summer visit on July 31, 2020. The next day, August 1, 2020, the victim realized he had left his travel bag containing important legal and personal documents in his daughter’s suitcase and kept her book bag by mistake. Mr. Kellam tried through text messages, calls, and visits to the residence alone and accompanied by law enforcement to retrieve the bag. Although, the Defendant knew Mr. Kellam sought the return of the file he refused to respond. Finally, he came back one last time that evening with the child’s book bag in one hand and his cell phone in the other. When Mr. Kellam knocked on the door, the Defendant exited the home with a .40 caliber Glock pistol, punched Mr. Kellam in the face and shot him through the heart causing his death.

The Defendant testified at trial, claimed self-defense, and asserted that he shot the victim after the victim had him in a headlock. The jury rejected this defense with its verdict.

The victim’s wife and sister attended the trial and spoke at the sentencing hearing.

“All of us involved in the trial were just deeply saddened by such a senseless killing of such a loving husband, father, and brother.” Sellers said of the verdict. “We are thankful that justice prevailed, and Mr. Harmon was held accountable.”

District Attorney Broder stated, “this verdict is a statement by the jury that you cannot take the life of another human being and then attempt to use self-defense to get away with the crime. Joshua Kellam was so loved, and his murder impacted so many people. I hope and pray this verdict and sentence can allow his family to have some sense of justice.”

THOMASTON COUNCIL GIVES NOD TO OLD TRAIN DEPOT

 THE  THOMASTON  CITY  COUNCIL  APPROVED  A  SPECIAL  USE  PERMIT  FOR  THE  OLD  TRAIN  DEPOT  ON  NORTH  CENTER  STREET  AT  A  MEETING  FRIDAY,   APPARENTLY   PAVING  THE  WAY  FOR  BUILDING  OWNER  WOODY  HEATH  TO  SELL  THE  DEPOT  TO      SONIYA-BEN   DODHIA    WHO  WON  THE  LOTTERY  DRAWING  FOR  A  NEW  PACKAGE  STORE.  THE  PLANS  MUST  BE  PRESENTED  TO  THE  HISTORIC  PRESERVATION  COMMISSION  SEPTEMBER  6 ,  AS BASED  ON  A   1997  ORDIANCE  THE  DEPOT  IS  IN  THE  HISTORIC  DISTRICT.    WOODY  HEATH  TOLD  THE  CITY  COUNCIL  PLANS  ARE  TO  IMPROVE    THE   APPEARANCE  OF  THE  DEPOT   TO  RESTORE  ITS  LOOK    AS  A    TRAIN  DEPOT.         KARIM           DODHIA  ATTENDED  THE  MEETING  WITH  MR.  HEATH  AND  HE  TOLD   101  NEWS  THEY  TARGET  A  NOVEMBER OPENING  FOR  THOMASTON'S  FIRST   PACKAGE  STORE. 

DA MARIE BRODER ANNOUNCES A SPALDING COUNTY CONVICTION

 On Wednesday, August 24, 2022 a Spalding County jury convicted Jonathan Isaac Smith, a 23-year-old male from Douglasville, Georgia of Aggravated Assault for injuries he inflicted on his then girlfriend. The Honorable Benjamin D. Coker sentenced the defendant to 20 years for his crime. He did have a criminal history.

Between August 21 and August 24, 2021, Kira Parham was assaulted by Smith at a residence in Spalding County. Ms. Parham alleged that Mr. Smith, at times held her against her will and over period of 3 days, inflicted serous, visible injuries to her and terrorized her with threats to pull her teeth out with a pair of pliers and to murder her. Ms. Parham was able to escape the apartment on August 24th and called police. Officers arrived, and after meeting with Ms. Parham who was hiding in her vehicle, went to Mr. Smith’s apartment to further investigate. Mr. Smith would not allow the officers to enter the apartment and ultimately jumped out of a rear window of his second story apartment. Officers gave chase and caught Smith a few blocks from his apartment.

Photographs of Ms. Parham's numerus injuries were presented by the state as evidence, along with Ms. Parham's 911 call and testimony from the arresting officers. Smith testified in his defense. The Griffin Police Department made the arrest of the defendant.

Chief Assistant District Attorney David Studdard and Assistant District Attorney Adelle Petersen tried the case for the State.

District Attorney Marie Broder said, “my office will continue to aggressively pursue perpetrators of domestic violence. These victims deserve to have someone stand up for them against those that seek to do him harm. We will continue to fight for them.

GRIFFIN DAYCARE OPERATOR ARRESTED

 GRIFFIN  JUDICIAL  CIRCUIT  SUPERIOR  COURT  JUDGE  BEN  COKER  HAS  ISSUED  ARREST  WARRANTS  FOR  CONNIE  BANKS  POUND,  AGE  61  OF  GRIFFIN  AFTER  REPORTS   OF  INJURIES  TO   MULTIPLE   CHILDREN  WHILE  ATTENDING  HER  STATE-CERTIFIED,  IN-HOME  DAYCARE  ON  HANOVER  DRIVE.  GRIFFIN  POLICE  SAID  APPROPRIATE   STATE  AGENCIES  HAVE  BEEN  NOTIFED  AND  ARE  CONDUCTING  THEIR  INVESTIGATION.  THE  CITY  OF  GRIFFIN  DOES  NOT  HAVE  THE  AUTHORITY  TO  SUSPEND STATE  LICENSES.

DUE  TO  THE  AGES  OF  THOSE  INVOLVED,  LIMITED  INFORMATION  WILL  BE  AVAILABLE  TO  THE  PUBLIC  UNTIL  THE  INVESTIGATION  IS  CONCLUDED.  ANYONE  WITH  INFORMATION  ABOUT  THE  CASE  CONTACT  GRIFFIN  POLICE.  .

A FATAL ACCIDENT IN THOMASTON

 THE  FIRST  FATAL  ACCIDENT  RECORDED  IN  SOME  TIME   IN  THE  CITY  OF  THOMASTON  HAPPENED  TUESDAY  NIGHT  AT  EAST  LEE  AT   OGLETHORPE.   41  YEAR  OLD   JEAN    MARAIS    OF 209  DALLAS  DRIVE  DIED  INSTANTLY  IN  A  HEAD-ON  CRASH    WITH  A  REPO    TRUCK  PULLING  AN  SUV.  THOMASTON  PD  TURNED  THE  ACCIDENT   INVESTIGATION  OVER  TO  POST   26  GA.  STATE  PATROL, PROTOCAL  ON  FATAL  WRECKS.  

EVIDENCE  AT  THE  SCENE , INDICATED  MARAIS  WAS    DRIVING  A  TOYOTA  SEDAN   AND   APPARENTLY  CROSSED  THE  CENTER  LINE ON  EAST  LEE   WHILE  TRAVELING  EAST  BOUND  AND  SLAMMED   HEAD-ON  INTO  THE  TRUCK.

MR. MARAIS , A  SOUTH   AFRICAN  NATIONAL , MET  HIS  WIFE  HEIDI  NEWBERRY  MARAIS  WHILE  SHE  WAS  DOING  MISSIONARY  WORK  IN  SOUTH  AFRICA.  THE  COUPLE  HAD  THREE  CHILDREN.

3 shot at Henry County warehouse

Channel 2 News reporting, Three people were shot at a warehouse in Henry County Thursday afternoon, police said

Henry County Police said that they responded to reports of multiple people shot at the Project Verte warehouse on Declaration Drive in McDonough around 12:20 p.m.

 

Officers arriving at the scene found three people shot. One was treated and released at the scene. Two were taken to the hospital. Their identities and conditions have not been released.

 

Police said the scene has been contained and there is no threat to public safety at this time. It’s unclear if anyone has been arrested.

 

Police have not said what led up to the shooting or if it occurred inside or outside the building.

 

NewsChopper 2 was over the scene, where there were several ambulances and law enforcement vehicles and at least one car was roped off with crime scene tape. Georgia State Patrol said they are assisting Henry County Police in the investigation.

 

Officers appeared to be searching vehicles outside.

UPSON BOC UPS TAX MILLAGE

 THE  UPSON  COUNTY  BOARD  OF  COMMISSIONERS  VOTED  UNANIMOUSLY  TUESDAY  TO  INCREASE  THE   2022  TAX  MILLAGE    POINT-58   MILLS,  AN  INCREASE  CHAIRMAN NORMAN  ALLEN  BLAMED  ON  THE NEW  EMS  CONTRACT  ,  AMERIPRO  THE  EMS  PROVIDER  THAT   HAS  BEEN    GREETED    WITH  POSITIVE  REVIEWS   AND  PAY  RAISES  FOR  PUBLIC  SAFETY  PERSONNEL.    WHEN  THE  BUDGET  WAS  APPROVED  THE  COUNTY  WAS  LOOKING  AT  A  TAX  HIKE  OF  1.5  MILLS,  BUT  THINGS  WORKED OUT  BETTER THAN  ANTICIPATED.  IN  THE  RESOLUTION  SETTING  THE  TAX  MILLAGE,  THE  BOARD  OF  EDUCATION  MILLAGE   INCREASE   OF  JUST  UNDER   ONE    MILL  WAS  ALSO  INCLUDED,  BUT  CHAIRMAN  ALLEN  SAID  THE  COUNTY  IS  ONLY  A  CONDUIT FOR  BOE  MILLAGE,  THE  COMMISSIONERS  HAVE  NO  LEGAL  AUTHORITY  TO  CHALLENGE  IT.

SHERIFF KILGORE COMMENDS UPSON EMC

 UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE  IS  COMMENDING  UPSON  EMC  FOR RESTORING  POWER  TO   THE   COMMUNICATIONS   TOWER OF     LAW  ENFORCEMENT  AGENCIES   DURING    SATURDAY'S  LATE  NIGHT  STORM.  THE  SHERIFF'S  DEPARTMENT,  COUNTY   FIRE  DEPARTMENT,  AND   THOMASTON  POLICE  DEPARTMENT    WAS   WITHOUT   RADIO  COMMUNICATION  FOR A   COUPLE  OF  HOURS.

DEM CANDIDATE FOR GOV STACEY ABRAMS TO SPEAK IN THOMASTON

 DEMOCRAT  CANDIDATE FOR  GOVERNOR  STACEY  ABRAMS  WILL  BE  CAMPAIGNING  IN  THOMASTON  THIS  FRIDAY, AUGUST    26TH.    PASTOR  COLEMAN  DUMAS  OF  STONEWALL  WORSHIP  CENTER  TOLD   101  NEWS  CANDIDATE  ABRAMS  WILL  BE  ARRIVING   AT  HIS  CHURCH    BETWEEN  NOON  AND   1PM  TO  SPEAK  AND  THE  CHURCH  WILL  OPEN      TO    THE  PUBLIC   AT   11;15 .  DEMOCRAT  ABRAMS  DREW  A  HUGE  CROWD  WHEN  SHE  SPOKE  IN  THOMASTON  DURING  THE  LAST  GOVERNOR'S  RACE.

THE  LATEST   POLLS  INDICATE    REPUBLICAN  GOVERNOR  BRIAN  KEMP  AND  DEMOCRAT  ABRAMS ARE  IN  A  CLOSE  RACE  IN  THE  NOVEMBER  GENERAL  ELECTION.  GOVERNOR  KEMP  SPOKE  IN  THOMASTON  AT  THE  GREATEST  GENERATION  PARK  JUST  BEFORE  THE  MAY  PRIMARY.

BIG DRUG BUST IN MERIWETHER CO

 “On August 12, the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office deputies discovered that a large delivery of black

corrugated construction pipe were dropped in a resident’s front yard in our county. The investigation revealed

that some of these pipes contained a large quantity of crystal methamphetamine concealed within the ribs of the

pipe. Approximately 2480 pounds of methamphetamine was recovered from the pipes.

Investigators from the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office and the Upson County Drug Task Force were able to

identify and arrest three individuals responsible for receiving the contraband.

Investigators believe this load of methamphetamine was most likely smuggled from Mexico into the United

States.

The Sheriff’s Office enlisted the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division of the U.S.

Department of Homeland Security that investigates crimes involving the movement and smuggling of illegal

narcotics across the nation’s borders.

The three suspects were transferred into HSI custody and currently face federal drug smuggling charges.

The investigation was successful due to the crucial assistance provided by our local, state, and federal partner

law enforcement agencies including the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office, Upson County Narcotic Task

Force, Georgia State Patrol, Coweta County Sheriff’s Office Swat Team, and Homeland Security

Investigations.

The investigation is ongoing.” Sheriff Chuck Smith said.

“I appreciate the work done by our personnel and all agencies involved. It was a collaborative effort in the

success of this investigation. The investigative results are evident with the arrest made and the seizure of such a

large quantity of illegal narcotics. These drugs not only negatively affect our community but communities

throughout the country. We would not have been as successful in this undertaking without the support of all the

agencies listed and I want to thank them again for their help.” Sheriff Smith advised.

WANDA JORDAN , TPD VETERAN IS RETIRING

WANDA  JORDAN,   DEPARTMENT  RECEPTIONIST  AND  TAC  OPERATOR    AT  THE  THOMASTON  POLICE  DEPARTMENT  HAS  ANNOUNCED   HER  RETIREMENT  AFTER  34  YEARS  WITH  THE  PD.  CONGRATULATIONS   WANDA.

THREAT AT MONROE CO SCHOOLS

 PRESS RELEASE The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a nonspecific threat against a nonspecific school on the morning of August 18, 2022. The threat was made via a social media post using the Snapchat platform. The threat indicated that someone was planning to commit a violent act at an unnamed school between 12:00pm and 12:45pm. A student at one of the Monroe County Schools reported the threat to Monroe County School officials who then reported it to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. The student was interviewed and advised that they believed the threat was towards a Monroe County school because they advised that multiple Monroe County students had been reposting the threatening post. Upon receiving the report of the threat, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in coordination with the Monroe County School system, took immediate action to ensure the safety of the students, staff, members of the public, and the Monroe County School system. This included adding an increased law enforcement presence on Monroe County School campuses with assistance being provided by School Resource Officers, Patrol Deputies, and Criminal Investigators. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office also assisted the school staff with searches including utilizing Monroe County Sheriff’s Office K-9 teams. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division opened a criminal investigation into this incident. The timeframe for the threat has passed and the threat has not been carried out against any Monroe County School. The investigation revealed the threat was made using the Snapchat social media platform. During the investigation, Snapchat usernames were identified that may have reposted the threat, however, the original poster remains unknown. Sheriff’s Office investigators have sent requests for investigative assistance to Snapchat. In addition, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office investigators and School Resource Officers have taken several steps towards trying to identify the original poster’s identity and the investigation is continuing. During this investigation, Columbia County School District Police also assisted with this investigation by interviewing a student that may have had knowledge about this incident and then coordinating the information they received with our agency. The safety of students, staff, the public, and the Monroe County schools are a top priority for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. If you have any information regarding this investigation, please contact the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at 478-994-7043 or your local law enforcement agency.

UPSON COUNTY SO JAILER ARRESTED

 Jail Officer Jaheim Dantavious White, 19, of Thomaston was arrested at the Upson County Jail on August 17, 2022. White, a two month jail employee was hired in June of this year.  White  is charged with Sexual Assault Against a Person in Custody for his inappropriate conduct with a female inmate. Both parties admitted to their consensual relationship. White was also charged with  Crossing a Guard Line with Contraband after it was discovered that he brought a cell phone into the jail and provided it to an inmate.

Both charges are felonies and he remains in custody at a neighboring county jail facility.

 

Dan Kilgore, Sheriff

August 17, 2022

CITY OF THOMASTON LOTTERY DRAWING WINNERS FOR 2 PACKAGE STORES

 THE  WINNERS  IN  THE  LOTTERY  DRAWING    TUESDAY   FOR  THE  FIRST  TWO  EVER  ALCOHOL  SALES  PACKAGE  STORES  IN  THE  CITY  OF  THOMASTON,  STEVE  DUKE  OF  THOMASTON  AND  SONIYA-BEN  BODHIA OF  PEACHTREE  CITY.  THE  BODHIAS  TOLD  US   THEY   PLAN      TO  OPEN  THEIR  PACKAGE  STORE  AT  THE  OLD  TRAIN  DEPOT  ON  NORTH  CENTER  STREET,  HOPEFULLY   BEFORE  CHRISTMAS.   COUNCIL  TABLED  AN  APPLICATION  FOR  SPECIAL  USE  PERMIT   FOR THE  DEPOT   UNTIL  AUGUST  26TH  SO  THE   DOWNTOWN   HISTORICAL  PRESERVATION  COMMISSION  CAN  REVIEW  IT, OVER  THE  OBJECTIONS  OF  PROPERTY  OWNER  WOODY  HEATH .  WOODY   STATED  ITS  NOT  IN  THE  DOWNTOWN   HISTORICAL  DISTRICT  AND  THE  INTEGERITY OF  THE  BUILDING  WILL  BE  RETAINED.

THE  THOMASTON  CITY  COUNCIL   VOTED  TO  DENY  A  REZONING  FOR  A  180  UNIT  APARTMENT  COMPLEX  ON  VETERANS  DRIVE  ON  A  VOTE  OF   3-1-1.  COUNCILMAN   DON  GREATHOUSE  ABSTAINED   EXPLAINING  HIS  DAUGHTER  IS   MARRIED  TO  A  MEMBER  OF  THE  ROGERS  FAMILY,  OWNERS  OF  THE  PROPERTY.  COUNCIL  MEMBER   LAYKEYTHIA  REEVES  VOTED  AGAINST   THE     THE  MOTION  BY  MAYOR   PRO  TEM  DOUG  HEAD  TO  DENY.  DURING  THE  PUBLIC  HEARING,   MARIETTA  DEVELOPER  DAVID  PFOTZER  SPOKE  IN  FAVOR,  DANNY  HUNTER,  BEN  WATSON,  AND  CHUCK  THOMPSON  OPPOSED.

RITZ THEATER TO CLOSE ON A WEEKLY BASIS FOR THE TIME BEING

 THE   OWNER  OF  THE  RITZ  THEATER  IN  DOWNTOWN  THOMASTON,    WOODY  HEATH   TOLD   101  NEWS  HE  IS  CLOSING  THE  RITZ   ON  A   WEEKLY   BASIS    FOR  THE  TIME-BEING  WHILE  SOME  IMPROVEMENTS  ARE  UNDERWAY,  BUT  HE  PLANS  TO  REOPEN   BUT   ONLY   SHOWING  BLOCKBUSTER  FILMS WHEN  THEY   RELEASED,   AND  PLANS  TO  HOST   MUSIC-TYPE   STAGE   SHOWS.    RECEIPT  DEMANDS  BY    MOVIE  DISTRIBUTORS  AND  TOO  FEW  PATRONS  HAVE  MADE  THE  REOPENING  OF  THE  RITZ  A  CHALLENGE--WOODY  TOLD  US. 

GRIFFIN/SPALDING GUIDELINES FOR H.S. FOOTBALL SEASON

 Memorial Stadium Guidelines for GSCS Football Season

GRIFFIN, GA - The first Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) home football games of the season will take place this week. Griffin High School (GHS) will play Ola High School on Thursday, August 18, at 7 p.m. and Spalding High School (SHS) will play Eagles Landing High School on Friday, August 19, at 7:30 p.m. Both games will be held at Memorial Stadium located at 310 East Poplar Street.

Fans need to know a few things before arriving at Memorial Stadium. For full Memorial Stadium guidelines visit www.spalding.k12.ga.us and click “Read More” on the banner about football. Schedules and FAQ’s can also be found on the website. The direct link is https://www.spalding.k12.ga.us/Departments/Athletics/Memorial-Stadium-Guidelines/index.html

Stadium Rules

·         Memorial Stadium is school property

·         No firearms or weapons are allowed on school property

·         No tobacco, smoking or vaping are allowed on school property

·         Alcohol is not permitted on school property

·         No loitering allowed behind the home bleachers

·         CLEAR Bags

o   For security reasons, we are asking that all bags be left at home.  Any bags brought into the stadium must be CLEAR and are subject to be searched. Any participant is subject to a security checkpoint upon entrance including metal detectors.

o   Bags must be CLEAR plastic, vinyl or PVC and not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”. Bags cannot be tinted with color or include oversized content that prevents visibility into the clear bag. Clear book bags are acceptable for use as diaper bags for adults who have infants or toddlers. Small, pocket-sized wallets are allowable in a clear bag 

o   Any type of non-clear bag will not be permitted. Exceptions will only be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection by security personnel. Please ask for assistance at the gate.

 

Tickets

·         Tickets will be sold online or can be purchased at the gate using your mobile device. To purchase online, visit https://gofan.co/search and search by school name.

·         A limited number of paper tickets will be available for purchase at the high schools.

 

 

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SHERIFF KILGORE REPORTS ANIMAL CRUELTY CASE

 UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE  SAYS  46  YEAR  OLD MELISSA  ANN  BARRON  OF  115  RU  AL  MAIN  ROAD  HAS  BEEN  CHARGED WITH  7  COUNTS  OF  CRUELTY  TO  ANIMALS  AND  HER  SINGLE  WIDE  MOBILE  HOME  HAS  BEEN  CONDEMNED  BY  COUNTY  CODE  ENFORCEMENT  BECAUSE  OF  THE  POOR  LIVING  CONDITIONS  WITH  ALL  THE  ANIMALS  LIVING  INSIDE, MANY  SICKLY  IN  CAGES.

8  BIG  MOUNTAIN  DOGS,  GREAT  PYRENEES  AND  A  SHEPARD  WERE  SURRENDERED  TO  UPSON  ANIMAL  CONTROL  AND  ARE  BEING  SENT  TO  A  RESCUE  ORGANIZATION  IN  MIAMI, FLORIDA.  FIVE  CATS  AND  A  CHIHUAHUA  WERE  ALSO  PICKED  UP  BY  ANIMAL  CONTROL.

SHERIFF  KILGORE  SAID  COUNTY  CODE  ENFORCEMENT   RECEIVED  A  COMPLAINT  ABOUT  THE  RESIDENCE  LAST  THURSDAY  AND  DEPUTIES  ALSO  RESPONDED  AND  FOUND  A  FOUL  ODOR  EVEN  OUTSIDE  THE  TRAILER  HOME.  THERE  WAS  PET  FOOD  INSIDE  WITH  COCK  ROACHES  CRAWLING  IN  IT.

MELISSA  ANN  BARRON  WAS  BOOKED  INTO  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  JAIL  ON  BOND  OF  $10,500.

LOTTERY DRAWING FOR TWO PACKAGE STORES TUESDAY IN THOMASTON

 THREE  APPLICANTS  ARE  IN  THE  LOTTERY   DRAWING   FOR  TWO  ALCOHOL  SALES  PACKAGE  STORES     TUESDAY    6;30  JUST  BEFORE  THE   MEETING  OF  THE  THOMASTON  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL AT  7PM.  THOSE  APPROVED  FOR    THE  LOTTERY,  STEVE  DUKE    AND    RAVIE  SING  OF  THOMASTON   AND  SONIYA-BEN  BODHIA  OF PEACHTREE  CITY.  THE  ANNUAL LICENSE  WILL  COST  $5000   THE  MAX  ALLOWED  BY  THE  STATE.

ON  THE  AGENDA  FOR  THE  REGULAR  MEETING  A   PUBLIC  HEARING  ON  A  CONTROVERSIAL  REQUEST  FOR  REZONING  FOR A 180 UNIT  APARTMENT  COMPLEX  ON  12  ACRES  ON    VETERANS  DRIVE  THAT  HAS  GALVANIZED  HUGE  OPPOSITION  FROM  SURROUNDING  NEIGHBORHOODS--YARD  SIGNS  ABOUND  URGING  THE  CITY  COUNCIL  TO  DENY  THE  REZONING.  THE  THOMASTON-UPSON  PLANNING  COMMISSION  AND  THE  CITY  OF  THOMASTON  PLANNING  COMMISSION -- BOTH  VOTED  TO  RECOMMEND  DENIAL.

EX BAND DIRECTOR AT MARY PERSONS INDICTED

 A Monroe County Grand Jury indicted the former band director at Mary Persons High School Tuesday morning on multiple counts of sexual exploitation of children. 

In 2021, investigators arrested Bryant Miles Benson on felony warrants for sexual exploitation of children and sexual conduct by a person with supervisory authority.

The Monroe County Sheriff's office says they received a report of sexually explicit material exchanged between Benson and a teen who was previously his student at the high school.

The other charges included electronically furnishing obscene material to minors, sexual contact by employee or agent in the first degree, and illegal use of communication facility. 

ANOTHER HONOR OF VANDY GOLFER GORDON SARGENT

Team USA taps VU’s Sargent for World Amateur Team Championship.

One would be hard pressed to find an amateur golfer that’s had a better 2022 than Vanderbilt’s Gordon Sargent.

Sargent, the SEC Freshman of the Year and first team All-American, won the NCAA men’s golf individual national championship then followed it up by winning the NCAA Division I Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award.

 

On Wednesday, the rising sophomore added another accolade to his growing resume when he was chosen to represent Team USA in the 2022 World Amateur Team Championship, as announced by the United States Golf Association. 

 

Sargent, who’s ranked No. 4 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, is just the second Vanderbilt golfer ever selected to participate in the tournament, joining Matthias Schwab in 2016.

 

The World Amateur Team Championship will be held Aug. 31 through Sept. 3 in France at Le Golf National and Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Breteche and feature many of the top amateur golfers in the world.

 

Sargent became the ninth freshman ever, and the first in 15 years, to win an NCAA men’s golf national title. He was also the first Commodore to win the Phil Mickelson Award and just the second student-athlete in school history to win an individual national championship.

 

He was also named a finalist for the Fred Haskins Award, which honors the most outstanding male college golfer as voted on by peers, coaches, and golf media.

 

Among Sargent’s other 2022 highlights were a runner-up finish in the individual SEC golf championships, a win at the Mossy Oak Collegiate tournament, and three top-five finishes including the Palm Beach Regional, the Linger Longer Invitational and the Mason Rudolph Championship.

Guilty Pleas Upson Superior Court

JUDGE RHONDA B. KREUZIGER, GJC

 

AUGUST 10, 2022

 

1. 22R0155 TYLER D. PITTS CT. 1: THEFT BY TAKING- REDUCED TO- THEFT BY RECEIVING: 5 YEARS PROBATION CONCURRENT WITH CASE #22R0156 & 22R0267A; $1,000 FINE.

 

2. 22R0156 TYLER D. PITTS CT. 1: REMOVING/AFFIXING LIC. PLATE WITH INTENT TO CONCEAL: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 2: OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICER: 5 YEARS, SERVE 2, FOLLOWED BY THE REMAINDER ON PROBATION CONCURRENT WITH CASE #22R0155 & 22R0267A; $1,000 FINE; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; BANISHMENT FROM THE GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT FOR A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS AFTER RELASE FROM PRISON. CT. 3: POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE: 5 YEARS, SERVE 2, FOLLOWED BY THE REMAINDER ON PROBATION CONCURRENT TO COUNT 2.

 

3. 22R0267A TYLER D. PITTS CT. 1: ENTERING AUTO: 5 YEARS PROBATION CONCURRENT TO CASE #22R0155 & 22R0156; $1,000 FINE. CT. 2: ENTERING AUTO: 5 YEARS PROBATION CONCURRENT TO COUNT 1. CT. 3: ENTERING AUTO: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 4: CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY IN THE 2ND DEGREE: 5 YEARS PROBATION CONCURRENT TO COUNTS 1 & 2. CT. 5: ENTERING AUTO: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

4. 22R0283 CHRISTON LEWIS CT. 1: CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY IN THE 2ND DEGREE: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; 40 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE.

 

5. 22R0095 DIAMOND I. LOCKETT CT. 1: POSSESSION OF MARIJUANAN, LESS THAN 1 OUNCE: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 2: TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; 40 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; $500 FINE.

 

6. 22R0089 STEVE EPPS CT. 1: POSSESSION OF A SCHEDULE I CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE: 3 YEARS PROBATION; 6 MONTHS TO SERVE 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; $1,000 FINE.

 

7. 21R0288 BARBIE M. BURKETT CT. 1: THEFT OF SERVICES: 12 MONTHS PROBATION TO RUN CONCURRENT WITH MUNICIPAL COURT CASE; 40 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE.

 

8. 22R0092 CHRISTOPHER FULLER CT. 1: POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE: 3 YEARS PROBATION; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; $1,000 FINE.

 

9. 22R0167B YANCEY D. SULLIVAN CT. 1: THEFT BY TAKING: 5 YEARS PROBATION; BANISHMENT FROM ALL CIRCLE K’S; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; $500 FINE.

U-L STUDENT WHO CAUSED ACTIVE SHOOTER SCARE CHARGED IN JUVENILE COURT

 UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE  SAYS  A   STUDENT  WHO  CAUSED  AN  ACTIVE SHOOTER  SCARE AT  UPSON-LEE   HIGH  SCHOOL,  TUESDAY,  HAS  BEEN  REFERRED  TO  JUVENILE  COURT  ON  A  CHARGE  OF  DISRUPTING  A  PUBLIC  SCHOOL.  THE  SHERIFF  SAID  A   PARENT  CALLED  911  AFTER  HER  SON   PHONED  HER  ABOUT  A  STUDENT  IN  THE  BOYS  REST  ROOM  WHO  HAD  WHAT  APPEARED  TO  BE  A  PISTOL  THAT  HE  POINTED  AT  ANOTHER  STUDENT.  TURNS  OUT  IT  WAS  A  HAND-HELD  MASSAGER,  BUT  IT  LEAD  TO  ALL  SCHOOLS  TO  BE  PLACED ON  LOCKDOWN  AND   LAWMEN  RESPONDED IN  FORCE TO  THE  SCHOOL. 

UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN   NORMAN  ALLEN   AND  COMMISSIONER  BEN  WATSON  COMMENDED  THE  LAW  ENFORCEMENT  COMMUNITY  FOR  THEIR  RESPONSE  AT  TUESDAY'S  MEETING  AND  CHAIRMAN  ALLEN  SAID  AMERIPRO  EMS  DISPATCHED  3  UNITS  TO  THE  SCHOOL.  

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office recovered a stolen vehicle

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies recovered a stolen vehicle this afternoon, August 9, 2022, that was reported stolen out of Atlanta, Georgia. The Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Georgia State Patrol, stating that the vehicle was at 4988 High Falls Road, the Sunoco gas station in High Falls and that there was a gun inside the vehicle. When Deputies arrived at the Sunoco gas station they observed a black male at the gas pumps, next to the brown Kia Soul that had been reported stolen. When approached the suspect jumped into the vehicle to avoid the Deputies. After several minutes of using loud verbal commands the suspect exited the vehicle and was placed under arrest. 

The suspect, Letroy Mosley of Bradenton, Florida, was transported to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Mosley is facing charges of Theft by Receiving Stolen Property and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and other multiple charges.

T-U BOE RAISES TAX MILLAGE ADOPTS FY 23 BUDGET

 THE  T-U  BOARD  OF  EDUCATION  APPROVED  A  TAX  MILLAGE  INCREASE OF  JUST  UNDER  ONE  MILL  AND  ADOPTED  THE  FY 23 $44  MILLION  BUDGET,  TUESDAY,  BUT  THERE  WERE  VOTES  AGAINST  BOTH  BY  BOE  MEMBERS.

FIVE    CITIZENS   SPOKE  AGAINST  THE  TAX  MILLAGE  INCREASE  DURING  A  PUBLIC  HEARING,  BUT  THE  SCHOOL  BOARD  VOTED  4-3  TO  RAISE  THE  MILLAGE  TO  14.01 MILLS.  VOTING  IN  FAVOR,  CHAIR  JACQUELINE  HOLLIS,  VICE  CHAIR  JAYE  EUBANKS,  ANGELINE MCGILL,  AND  STEVE  SADLER.  THE  BOARD  EXPLAINED  THE  STATE  REQUIRES  AT  LEAST  14  MILLS  TO  QUALIFY  FOR $4MILLION  IN  EQUALIZATION  FUNDS,  IT  COULD   RECEIVE. 

THE  BOARD  VOTED  5-2  TO  ADOPT  THE $44  MILLION   FY 23  BUDGET,  BOARD MEMBERS  SHELIA  HALL  AND  BRIAN  SALTER  OPPOSED. IT  WAS  ONE  OF  THE  MOST  CONTROVERSIAL  BUDGETS  IN  RECENT  YEARS,  WITH  PROPERTY  OWNERS  PROTESTING    THE  TAX  MILLAGE  HIKE  AT  EVERY  MEETING.

ARTHUR H. ENGLISH IV RESPONDS TO THE WASHINGTON POST

 

The allegations contained in the recent Washington Post article and PETA social media video concerning my business are untrue and were characterized to mislead and inflame public opinion. The facts are, I hold, and have held, a valid business license and a Georgia Department of Agriculture Stable license for ten years. My facilities are inspected by the State several times each year. I have had constant interaction with various members of the Lamar County Board of Commissioners over the years, and many of them have been out to my place of business from time to time. According to both the Lamar County Sheriff and the Towaliga Circuit District Attorney, my business been subject to investigation by their offices as well as the United States Department of Agriculture for at least eighteen months. My business has to be the most investigated, most closely scrutinized business in the history of Lamar County. Despite all of the scrutiny and investigations, by all of the myriad officials and agencies, no one connected to my business has ever been charged with a single criminal offense. PETA and the Washington Post are well known for aggressively pursuing their own political agendas. Both have recently been attacking the horse racing industry nation-wide. which is clearly reflected in their reporting and social media postings over the past several years. They cobbled together half-truths and flashes of gore to inflame and incite people. Their report and postings are neither accurate, nor reflective of my business or any of the activities on my property. If there was there was any truth to any of it, one or more of the many investigating officials or agencies would have certainly taken some official action. Horse racing is completely legal in Georgia. However, it is not regulated by the State. Contrary to what the Washington Post and PETA would have you believe. I do have rules (both posted and enforced) at my place of business. Unfortunately, on rare occasion accidents do happen. And sadly, some people will always try to cheat at sport to get an advantage. We do police these things and try to stop them. I have been in the large animal business most of my life. My father and grandfather were cattlemen on this same property. I grew up on a farm with cattle. I love animals and don’t condone the abuse or neglect of any animal. When we find a safety issue, we fix it. When we catch a bad actor, we show him or her the door. PETA and the Washington Post have an agenda, and they want you to buy into what they are selling. Their work was intentionally designed to repulse and enrage the reader/viewer, and to get people angry before they could think about, or even question, what was being fed to them. They have an agenda, and they fed you what they wanted to get the reaction they wanted. Please understand, what was contained in their work was not accurate or correct, and it certainly was not representative of my business or it’s practices. Arthur H. English IV Owner, Rancho El Centenario LLC

UPSON CO SHERIFF STATEMENT ON SCHOOL LOCKDOWN

 At approximately 11:50 am on August 9,2022 a third-party call from a parent of an Upson Lee high school student was received by Upson 911 reporting that their child had seen another student with a handgun while in the boy’s restroom of the school. The school resource officer was notified and School staff was advised of the situation. The entire school district was placed on lockdown while deputies responded and investigated. Through investigation it was found that a male student had a hand-held massager that resembled a handgun. The student in possession of the massager admitted that he Possessed it in the restroom and pointed it at another student. 

There was no active shooter and all students are safe. 

All schools are in the process of being  taken off lockdown status

Please be patient as we work through returning to normal operations

Dan Kilgore. Sheriff

THOMASTON-UPSON SCHOOLS ON LOCKDOWN

 UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE  REPORTS   ALL  T-U  SCHOOLS  REMAIN  ON LOCKDOWN  AS A  PRECAUTION  AFTER  A  REPORT  OF  AN  ACTIVE  SHOOTER  AT  U-L  HIGH  SCHOOL  BEFORE  NOON  TUESDAY.  THE  SHERIFF  TOLD   101  NEWS  A  PARENT  CALLED  THE  SHERIFF'S  OFFICE  WITH  A  REPORT  HER   CHILD  HAD  SEEN  A  STUDENT  WITH  A  GUN.  THE  SHERIFF  TOLD  US  NO  FIREARM  HAD  BEEN  FOUND  AT  THE  SCHOOL.

SPALDING CO BOC APPROVES FLEET CONTRACT

 AT  A  CALLED  MEETING AUGUST  4TH  OF  THE  SPALDING  COUNTY  BOARD OF  COMMISSIONERS,   THE  BOARD  APPROVED  CONTRACTING  WITH  ENTERPRISE  FLEET  MANAGEMENT  FOR  COUNTY  VEHICLES.  COUNTY  MANAGER  STEVE  LEDBETTER  DISCUSSED  THE  VEHICLE  FLEET  OF  145  VEHICLES  WITH  AN  AVERAGE MAINTENCE  COST OF  $245  MONTHLY  WITH  AN  AVERAGE  AGE  OF   12  YEARS.      ENTERPRISE  FLEET   MANAGEMENT    COULD  REDUCE  THAT  MAINTANCE  COST    TO   $73  A  MONTH,   AND THE  FIRST  YEAR  SAVINGS  WOULD  BE  $320,000.  IN  A  CONTRACT  WITH  ENTERPRISE,   IN  FY 23  THEY  WOULD  REPLACE  59  VEHICLES.  HE  ADDED THE  SUPPLY  CHAIN  IS  BROKEN BUT  ENTERPRISE  WOULD  LOOK  NATIONALLY  TO  LOCATE  VEHICLES    FOR  THE  COUNTY.

Guilty Pleas Upson Superior Court

 AUGUST 8, 2022

JUDGE RHONDA B. KREUZIGER, GJC

 

1. 21R0074 GAVION M. BAKER CT. 1: BATTERY, FAMILY VIOLENCE: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; 60 DAYS TO SERVE IN THE COUNTY JAIL; $500 FINE; 40 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE.

 

2. 21R0075 GAVION M. BAKER CT. 1: BATTERY, FAMILY VIOLENCE: 12 MONTHS PROBATION CONSECUTIVE TO CASE 21R0074; $500 FINE. CT. 2: HENDERING EMERGENCY TELEPHONE CALL: 12 MONTHS PROBATION CONSECUTIVE TO COUNT 1; $500 FINE.

 

3. 22R0170 AUTUMN SULLIVAN CT. 1: TERRORISTIC THREATS: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; BANISHMENT FROM THE GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT. CT. 2: SIMPLE ASSAULT: 12 MONTHS PROBATION.

 

4. 22R0175 DARRYL D. FRYE CT. 1: THEFT BY SHOPLIFTING: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; $500 FINE. CT. 2: DISTRACTED DRIVING: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 3: DRIVING ON WRONG SIDE OF ROAD: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 4: NO TAG: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

5. 22R0292 JUSTIN ALLISON CT. 1: OBSTRUCTION OF AN OFFICER: 3 YEARS PROBATION; $1,000 FINE; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. CT. 2: OBSTRUCTION OF AN OFFICER: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 3: DISORDERLY CONDUCT: 12 MONTHS PROBATION CONSECUTIVE TO CT. 1; $500 FINE.

 

6. 22R0300 RODRECIUS MILLER CT. 1: THEFT BY TAKING: 3 YEARS PROBATION; $1,000 FINE; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. CT. 2: CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY IN THE SECOND: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

22 Defendants Charged in 22-Count Indictment Alleging Middle Georgia Drug Trafficking Ring

ALBANY, Ga. – 22 individuals are facing federal charges resulting from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation into an alleged armed drug trafficking organization distributing methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and other controlled substances in Middle Georgia. . An indictment is only an allegation of criminal conduct. All of the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

A federal indictment was returned on June 15 charging the following individuals:

 

1.     Cornelius Leonard aka Tae, 28, of Grantville, Georgia, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; three counts of distribution of methamphetamine; two counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person; possession of a stolen firearm; possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute; possession of heroin with the intent to distribute; possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute; possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute; possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; and, conspiracy to tamper with a witness. If convicted, Leonard faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $8,000,000 fine.

 

2.     Kedric Fuller aka Blakk Ru, 41, of Woodbury, Georgia, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, Fuller faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

3.     Markevious Snipes aka Big Dawg, 31, of Thomaston, Georgia, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to tamper with a witness. If convicted, Snipes faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

4.     Pedro Valencia aka Casper aka Bossman, 45, of Calhoun State Prison, Georgia, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, Valencia faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

5.     Horatio Venable aka Ray, 25, of Columbus, Georgia, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. If convicted, Venable faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

6.     Rashad Moreland, 36, of Columbus, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, Moreland faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

7.     Antovious Hunter aka Ant, 39, of Columbus, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, Hunter faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

8.     Darius Wellmaker, 39, of Thomaston, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, Wellmaker faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

9.     Ashley Ingram, 35, of Cataula, Georgia, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, Ingram faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

10.  Mechile Hobbs, 48, of Woodbury, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted, Hobbs faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

11.  Mark Dean, 44, of Manchester, Georgia, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, Dean faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

12.  Nehemiah Johnson aka Brazy, 29, of Thomaston, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, Johnson faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

13.  Jennifer Moss, 38, of Molena, Georgia, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted, Moss faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

14.  Justin Whitten, 36, Hogansville, Georgia, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, Whitten faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

15.  Natashia Antley, 34, of Thomaston, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, Antley faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

16.  Krystal  Juarez Norman, 33, of Thomaston, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, Norman faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

17.  Dixie Bailey, 33, of Thomaston, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, Bailey faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

18.  Carlton Power, 26, of Manchester, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, Power faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

19.  Dustin Robbins, 33, of Columbus, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, Robbins faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

20.  Sabrina Smith, 32, of Thomaston, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted, Smith faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

21.  Joshua McAfee, 34, of Thomaston, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, McAfee faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $10,000,000 fine.

 

22.  Ramone Zorn aka Big Razor, 52, of Thomaston, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine and two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted, Zorn faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a maximum $20,000,000 fine.

 

Initial appearances for the defendants occurred beginning on July 20 with more scheduled through August 10 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Q. Langstaff.

 

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

 

This case is being investigated by FBI.

 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah McEwen is prosecuting the case.