Appellate Courts News
Stone Mountain Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Murder Conviction
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston has revealed that a Stone Mountain man, Drew Brooks, aged 40, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison following his conviction for the murder of Ashley Watkins, 33. The incident occurred on May 25, 2022, with Brooks found guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter, Felony Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. The sentencing was conducted by DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Tangela M. Barrie, who also added 10 years of probation to the sentence.
U.S. Attorney’s Office and Georgia Department of Public Health to Host Opioid Prevention and Recovery Fair
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest Health District, is set to host a community event focused on opioid prevention and recovery. The "Spring Into Wellness: An Opioid Prevention and Recovery Community Resource Fair" will take place on May 14, 2024, in Emmerson, Georgia.According to U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan, the event aims to address the ongoing opioid epidemic and provide support to those in need. Buchanan emphasized the importance of collaboration with law...
Latest News
Missing Persons Event and DNA Drive Hosted by DeKalb County Authorities
By GA News Gazette | May 6, 2024
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston and DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office Director Pat Bailey have announced a Missing Persons Event & DNA Drive scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2024. The event, to be held at the DeKalb-Peachtree Airport in Atlanta, aims to provide support and resources to families and friends of missing persons.According to DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston, families and friends of missing individuals are encouraged to attend the event to share information about their loved ones and potentially assist with identification...
District Attorney Keith Higgins Provides Gang Training for Law Enforcement Officers & Prosecutors
By GA News Gazette | May 3, 2024
District Attorney Keith Higgins of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit is taking proactive steps to enhance public safety and combat the escalating threat of gang violence in the community. In line with his objectives, a gang training course was conducted for law enforcement officers and prosecutors at the College of Coastal Georgia from May 1-3, 2024.The course, titled "Gang Investigation & Prosecution: Best Practices," was led by esteemed gang instructor Jose Ramirez. Through a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on exercises, officers and prosecutors were equipped with...
Man Indicted for Threatening Fulton County District Attorney
By GA News Gazette | May 3, 2024
Marc Shultz, a 66-year-old resident of Chula Vista, California, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for threatening Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis due to her prosecution of Former President Donald Trump. The indictment, presented in court, states that on October 4 and 5, 2023, Shultz posted violent threats towards District Attorney Willis on YouTube live stream videos, including a statement that she "will be killed like a dog."U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan emphasized, “Sending death threats to a public official is a criminal offense that will not be...
Cartersville Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Pornography
By GA News Gazette | May 3, 2024
Ian Alicea Prewett has pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child. In connection with his guilty plea, Prewett admitted he engaged in sex acts with minors under the age of 18 and enticed a child under the age of eight to produce sexually explicit images.U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan stated, “Prewett preyed upon innocent children by enticing them to send him sexually explicit images and then victimized two minors, including during an out-of-state trip, by sexually assaulting those children."Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Atlanta, Anthony J. Patrone,...
DA Higgins Provides Exchange Club Members with DA Office Update
By GA News Gazette | May 2, 2024
Brunswick, GA - In a recent meeting, Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Keith Higgins addressed members of the Exchange Club, providing them with an update on the activities of the DA Office.During the meeting, Higgins, alongside Incoming Brunswick Exchange Club President Barry Cooper, Outgoing President JP Thornton, and Secretary-Treasurer Randy Pifer, discussed various initiatives undertaken by the DA Office. Higgins highlighted that his office is fully staffed with prosecutors, a feat achieved by only a few offices in the state. He emphasized the office's...
Repeat Bank Robber Sentenced to Federal Prison for Waycross Heist
By GA News Gazette | May 2, 2024
A former Brooklyn, N.Y., man with prior bank robbery convictions has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for robbing a Waycross bank. Matthew McCloskey, 34, of Waycross, was sentenced to 168 months in prison after pleading guilty to Bank Robbery, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker ordered that McCloskey’s sentence run concurrently with his state sentence on a kidnapping conviction related to the bank robbery, ordered him to pay $877 in restitution, and to serve three years of...
Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Aggravated Stalking
By GA News Gazette | May 1, 2024
(Marietta, GA – April 30, 2024) Cobb District Attorney Flynn D. Broady Jr. announced that Michael Lydon Strong, 43, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for aggravated stalking and disorderly conduct. Superior Court Judge Jason D. Marbutt delivered the sentence following a guilty verdict on April 25, 2024.The case revolved around incidents of domestic violence involving the victim, her 13-year-old son, and Strong, who was the victim's live-in boyfriend at the time. Evidence presented in court detailed a pattern of abusive behavior by Strong, including fits of rage,...
Kennesaw woman sentenced to 25 years for aggravated child molestation
By GA News Gazette | May 1, 2024
(Marietta, GA – April 26, 2024) Cobb District Attorney Flynn D. Broady Jr. announced that Allison Wean, 46, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for aggravated child molestation. The sentencing by Superior Court Judge Kellie S. Hill follows Wean being found guilty of two counts of aggravated child molestation, two counts of aggravated sexual battery, and one count of child molestation.The case revealed disturbing details of how Wean groomed and sexually abused a minor under the age of 16. It was disclosed that the victim's mother met Wean through a local mom group...
STONE MOUNTAIN MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE PLUS 25 YEARS AFTER MURDER AND ARSON CONVICTION
By GA News Gazette | Apr 29, 2024
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a significant conviction in the case against a Stone Mountain man accused of a heinous crime. Gerald Jerome Clark, 44, was found guilty of a series of serious charges in connection with the murder of Mary Kilpatrick, 27, on September 26, 2020. The charges include Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Arson, Aggravated Assault, Kidnapping, and more.According to the investigation, Clark put Kilpatrick in the trunk of her car, shot her, and then set the car on fire. The remains of Kilpatrick were so badly damaged that DNA had...
DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE WELCOMES NEW PROSECUTORIAL STAFF
By GA News Gazette | Apr 29, 2024
District Attorney Keith Higgins has announced the addition of new members to the prosecutorial staff of the District Attorney’s Office for the Brunswick Judicial Circuit (BJC).Whitney J. Fetzer Gregory has joined the BJC as the Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney for the Glynn County office, as confirmed by DA Higgins. In her previous role at the Eastern Judicial Circuit in Savannah, Deputy Chief Gregory was in charge of the Special Victims Unit, handling cases such as adult rapes, sexual assaults, domestic violence, and murders. Her impressive legal background...
Senior Staff Retirements in the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office
By GA News Gazette | Apr 29, 2024
District Attorney Keith Higgins announced the retirement of two senior staff members from the Appling-Jeff Davis Office of the District Attorney’s Office for the Brunswick Judicial Circuit.Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Jan Kennedy retired after over 27 years of service as a prosecutor in the Brunswick Judicial Circuit. ADA Kennedy had been the Managing Attorney in the Appling-Jeff Davis Office and was named Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney under DA Higgins from February 2021 to April 2023. ADA Kennedy expressed her gratitude, saying, "I am thankful for the...
Four Defendants in Firearms Trafficking Ring Sentenced
By GA News Gazette | Apr 26, 2024
Four individuals have been sentenced for their involvement in a firearms trafficking ring that operated in the metro Atlanta area, smuggling guns to the Dominican Republic. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan emphasized the commitment to disrupting illegal firearm flows, stating, "Firearms traffickers present an immediate danger to communities within and outside our district." Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones highlighted the importance of investigating and bringing firearms traffickers to justice swiftly, stating, "This is an excellent example of such an...
Investment Professional Indicted on Multi-Million-Dollar Investment Fraud Scheme
By GA News Gazette | Apr 25, 2024
Craig Allen, executive officer of C.M. Allen Capital Management, Inc., has been indicted on charges related to a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme that defrauded investors nationwide, as reported by U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan and FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley.Buchanan stated, “Allen abused his clients’ trust by allegedly stealing millions of dollars to support his lavish lifestyle. The defendant deceived and falsified documents to conceal his thefts to provide his investors with a false sense of financial security. We will continue to prosecute...
Dog Broker Sentenced to Federal Prison for Filing False Tax Returns
By GA News Gazette | Apr 25, 2024
The recent sentencing of Justin Daniels for filing false tax returns in connection with his dog-brokering business has sent a strong message to those who seek to exploit the tax system for personal gain.U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan expressed, “Rather than pay his fair share of taxes, Daniels spent years submitting fraudulent returns in the name of personal greed. This office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue and prosecute those who exploit our tax system at the expense of law-abiding taxpayers.”Assistant Special Agent in Charge, IRS...
Brunswick Man Found Guilty of Obstruction of an Officer and Possession of Firearm
By GA News Gazette | Apr 24, 2024
District Attorney Keith Higgins announced that Sedrick Deshawn Pearman, 35, of Brunswick, GA, has been convicted of multiple crimes, including Giving False Information to a Law Enforcement Officer, Obstruction of an Officer, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. The conviction came after a trial where evidence was presented regarding an incident involving Pearman on April 3, 2021.The trial revealed that Glynn County Police Department Officer Troy Bergiadis observed a vehicle with suspicious driving behavior, leading him to investigate the occupants. Pearman, a...
DECATUR MAN FOUND GUILTY OF SHOOTING AND KILLING NEIGHBOR AFTER BICYCLE DISPUTE
By GA News Gazette | Apr 24, 2024
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the case against a Decatur man accused of shooting and killing the man who lived in the apartment above him. Alphonso Watts, 53, was found guilty of various charges related to the killing of Darryl Halden, 35, on August 16, 2020.During the trial, it was revealed that Watts had been involved in a dispute with Halden over the storage of a bicycle in the building's hallway. Additionally, Watts believed that Halden was spying on him through his smoke detector, as reported by residents at the...
Courts: Solicitor General Makia Metzger Co-Sponsoring Record Restriction Day Event
By GA News Gazette | Apr 23, 2024
The Office of the Solicitor General Makia Metzger is collaborating with the Black Push organization to host a record restriction event on Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Grace City Church in Austell, Georgia. The event aims to provide individuals with the opportunity to restrict their records for a fresh start.According to the State Court Administration, the State Court is responsible for hearing traffic violation and misdemeanor cases. The State Court Clerk, on the other hand, maintains all State Court records and handles the collection of fines...
Cobb Solicitor General Makia Metzger Joins Walk A Mile in Her Shoes Event
By GA News Gazette | Apr 23, 2024
Cobb Solicitor General, Makia Metzger, and members of her office team, took part in the 2024 Cobb Walk a Mile in Her Shoes march at Swift-Cantrell Park in Kennesaw. The event aimed to raise awareness about domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault. Solicitor General Metzger emphasized the importance of the event, stating, “We are dedicated to serving the families of Cobb County through diligent prosecution and advocacy for the 'VICTORS,' not victims, of domestic violence.”The walk, which saw nearly 100 participants, including members of the community and various...