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U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit Seeks Public Input on Proposed Rule Amendments
By GA News Gazette | Apr 3, 2024
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit is seeking public input on proposed amendments to its local rules. According to an official notice released on Apr 3, 2024, interested parties have until May 3, 2024, to submit their comments.In a statement, the Eleventh Circuit Court announced, "The Court invites comments on the proposed amendments to its local rules."The proposed amendments to the Eleventh Circuit's rules aim to streamline and improve various aspects of the court's procedures. The details of the proposed changes can be found in the official notice...
Atlanta Man Convicted in Armed Robbery, Fatal Shooting at Apartment Complex
By GA News Gazette | Apr 2, 2024
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the case against an Atlanta man accused of shooting and killing a man inside his own apartment. The incident took place on August 30, 2022, at an apartment on Bedevere Circle in unincorporated Decatur.According to the investigation, Chris Jackson, 20, was found guilty on multiple charges including Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Armed Robbery, and Possession of a Firearm during a Felony. The jury's decision came after a thorough examination of the evidence surrounding the fatal...
Amendments to Local Rules 5.1(G) and 72.1(E) and Local Criminal Rule 59(2) and (3) Are Now in Effect
By GA News Gazette | Apr 2, 2024
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia has approved amendments to Local Rules 5.1(G) and 72.1(E) and Local Criminal Rule 59(2) and (3) effective April 2, 2024. The court announced that "a document showing the changes to each rule is available here." Additionally, "the complete local rules of the Court are available here."
Ellen H. Persons Selected as New Chair for the Committee on Discipline
By GA News Gazette | Apr 1, 2024
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia has announced the selection of attorney Ellen H. Persons, a shareholder with Polsinelli, as the new chair of the Court's Committee on Discipline. Ms. Persons will assume the role for a one-year term starting on July 15, 2024.According to the court's announcement, "The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia has selected attorney Ellen H. Persons, a shareholder with Polsinelli, as the next chair of the Court’s Committee on Discipline." Additionally, it was stated that "Ms. Persons will serve a...
CLARKSTON MAN CONVICTED IN SHOOTING THAT KILLED FRIEND AT APARTMENT COMPLEX
By GA News Gazette | Apr 1, 2024
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston has announced a conviction by jury trial in the murder case against Phun Kam, a 36-year-old man from Clarkston. Kam was found guilty on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony. The conviction stems from an incident on May 9, 2021, when officers responded to a call about a person shot at an apartment complex in Clarkston.Hrin Thawng, 29, was discovered lying just outside Defendant Kam’s front door with a gunshot wound to the head. Despite Kam...
Court Eliminates COVID-19 Protocol for Jurors Following CDC Guidance
By GA News Gazette | Apr 1, 2024
In response to updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the Court has made a significant change regarding COVID-19 protocols for jurors. A First Amendment to General Order 23-02 has been issued, rescinding the previous requirement for jurors who have been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19 within ten days prior to jury service.The Court stated, "Due to updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the Court has issued a First Amendment to General Order 23-02 rescinding the requirement that a juror who is exposed to COVID-19 or who tests...
JUSTIN JONES FOUND GUILTY AND SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE FOLLOWED BY 30 YEARS FOR KIDNAPPING AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
By GA News Gazette | Apr 1, 2024
On March 27, 2024, Justin Jones, 37, of Carrollton, was found guilty by a Carroll County jury of various charges, including Kidnapping with Bodily Injury and Aggravated Assault. Following the verdict, Carroll County Superior Court Judge Blackmon sentenced Jones to Life in prison without the possibility of parole followed by 30 years in prison.During the trial, it was revealed that Jones had violently kidnapped and assaulted a victim, subjecting her to a horrifying ordeal. The victim met Jones in a parking lot to discuss relationship problems, but he proceeded to...
MOTHER CONVICTED OF MURDER AFTER TRYING TO TAKE THE LAW INTO HER OWN HANDS
By GA News Gazette | Mar 29, 2024
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the case against a mother accused of trying to take the law into her own hands, resulting in the shooting death of a teenager. Defendant Harris, 42, was found guilty of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.According to the investigation, "Defendant Harris discovered a video of her daughter, who was 12 years old at the time, involved in a sexual act with a 22-year-old man, later identified...
CURTEZE AVERY SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR TROUP COUNTY MURDER OF PREGNANT 26-YEAR OLD
By GA News Gazette | Mar 28, 2024
On March 27, 2024, Curteze Avery, 30, of Lafeyette, Alabama, pleaded guilty to the 2022 murder of LaGrange resident Breanna Burgess who was 20 weeks pregnant. The Troup County Grand Jury indicted Avery on October 6, 2022, in Case Number 22-R-0761 for Malice Murder and Feticide. Pursuant to an agreement negotiated by the State, Superior Court Judge Erica Tisinger sentenced Avery to two concurrent life sentences for the murder of 26-year old Burgess and Ms. Burgess’s 20-week old unborn child. Senior Assistant District Attorney David McLaughlin prosecuted the case and...
Northern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney and Procurement Collision Strike Force Director Host Antitrust Summit
By GA News Gazette | Mar 28, 2024
U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan expressed the commitment of his office to combat collusion, corruption, and fraud in government services, stating, “Our office is committed to working closely with our federal, state, and local partners to ensure that the citizens of this district receive government services free from collusion, corruption, and fraud.”Director Glad highlighted the importance of partnerships in protecting taxpayer funds, stating, “Our partnerships increase awareness and combine resources and tools that protect taxpayers’ money.”During the summit, U.S....
TWO BROTHERS INDICTED IN DECADES-OLD HOME INVASION RAPE CASES
By GA News Gazette | Mar 27, 2024
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston has announced the indictments of two brothers in connection with multiple rape cases in metro Atlanta dating back to 1986 and 1987.Jeffrey Briney, 59, has been indicted on various charges including rape, kidnapping, aggravated sodomy, armed robbery, and aggravated assault. Meanwhile, David Briney, 62, faces charges of rape, kidnapping, attempted armed robbery, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Both brothers were taken into custody on February 27, 2024, and are currently being...
California Man Sentenced for Cell Phone Trade-in Fraud Scheme
By GA News Gazette | Mar 27, 2024
David Shemtov has been sentenced after a jury convicted him of wire fraud based on a scheme involving the fraudulent trade-ins of thousands of cell phones.“The ability to exchange electronic devices for cash value or gift cards provides users the important benefit of recovering some worth for devices they no longer need,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Shemtov chose to exploit this process to fraudulently obtain substantially inflated value for devices he traded and at great expense to the victim company. His sentence of imprisonment should serve as a warning to...
Jury Duty Scam Targets Georgians
By GA News Gazette | Mar 27, 2024
The Southern District of Georgia has issued a warning to the public regarding a telephone scam aimed at residents of Georgia. The scam involves fraudulent claims about failing to report for jury duty, with scammers going to great lengths to make their scheme appear legitimate."Federal courts do not call prospective jurors and ask for money or personal identifying information over the telephone," emphasized the Southern District of Georgia. They advise citizens to be cautious and vigilant when receiving unsolicited phone calls and to refrain from sharing personal...
Former Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine Pleads Guilty in Health Care Fraud Scheme
By GA News Gazette | Mar 22, 2024
Former Georgia State Insurance Commissioner John W. Oxendine has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud in a scheme involving unnecessary medical tests in exchange for kickbacks. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan expressed that Oxendine, a former state-wide insurance commissioner, knowingly conspired to order hundreds of unnecessary lab tests for personal profit, violating the public's trust.Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, condemned the scheme, stating that it not only increased healthcare costs but also betrayed the trust of patients....
Man Sentenced to Life for Murder and Attempted Armed Robbery
By GA News Gazette | Mar 22, 2024
In a recent development in Marietta, Georgia, 25-year-old Brandon Glover has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus an additional 45 years. This decision comes after Glover was found guilty of various charges including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.The sentencing was handed down by Superior Court Judge Julie Jacobs following a tragic incident on September 30, 2021, when Cobb County Police responded to a report of a vehicle crash in Mableton. The passenger, Thadeus Statum, was found...
Joshua Wayne Nutt Found Guilty of August 2021 Double Murder in Troup County, Sentenced to Serve Life in Prison Without Parole
By GA News Gazette | Mar 20, 2024
On March 19, 2023, after a seven-day trial, a Troup County jury found Joshua Wayne Nutt, aka: Joshua Wayne Bradley, guilty of a heinous crime. Nutt, now 41, of LaGrange, was convicted of two counts of Malice Murder, six counts of Felony Murder, two counts of Armed Robbery, two counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and more. The verdict was followed by a sentencing that will see Nutt serve life in prison without the possibility of parole.The evidence presented during the trial painted a grim picture of the events that unfolded in August 2021. The victims,...
MERIWETHER COUNTY JURY CONVICTS KEVIN HUDSON OF MURDER AND OTHER CHARGES
By GA News Gazette | Mar 20, 2024
On March 19, 2024, a Meriwether County jury found Kevin Hudson, 64, of New York, guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony. Sr. Assistant District Attorney Tim Marlow prosecuted the case. Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Agent Devin Evans led the investigation with substantial assistance from Manchester Police Department and the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office.The evidence revealed that in July of 2022, Stephanie Johnson ended her relationship with Hudson. On September 8, 2022, Hudson...
Idaho Man Pleads Guilty to Hacking Computers of the City of Newnan and a Griffin Medical Clinic
By GA News Gazette | Mar 19, 2024
Robert Purbeck, also known as “Lifelock,” and “Studmaster,” pleaded guilty to federal charges of computer fraud and abuse. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan stated, “Purbeck breached computer systems in our district and across the country, stole vast amounts of personal information, and aggravated his crimes by weaponizing sensitive data in an egregious attempt to extort his victims.”In response to Purbeck's actions, FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley emphasized, “FBI Atlanta continues to be unrelenting in bringing cybercriminals to justice and determined to...
Man Sentenced to Life for Fatally Shooting His Friend in the Back
By GA News Gazette | Mar 19, 2024
Cobb District Attorney Flynn D. Broady Jr. announced that Kehari Yarber, 26, has been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the murder of his friend, Blake Porter. Yarber was found guilty of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Superior Court Judge Robert D. Leonard II imposed the sentence, along with an additional five years to be served consecutively.According to the investigation, on October 31, 2020, Cobb County Police discovered Blake Porter, 20, deceased from multiple gunshot...
Atlanta Meat Market Owner Sentenced to Federal Prison in $10 Million Food Stamp Fraud Scheme
By GA News Gazette | Mar 19, 2024
Atlanta - Uttam Halder, the Atlanta meat market owner, has been sentenced to federal prison for his involvement in a $10 million food stamp fraud scheme. Halder, who fled to Mexico and attempted to escape to Istanbul, was apprehended by foreign authorities with a counterfeit Mexican passport.U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan expressed, "The federal government trusted Halder to safeguard precious SNAP funds designed to alleviate hunger but he abused that trust to fuel his greed by profiting from a multimillion-dollar scheme to fraudulently redeem SNAP benefits."Miles Davis,...