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DEKALB DA'S OFFICE INSTALLS PINWHEEL GARDEN TO HONOR CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK AND CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
By GA News Gazette | Apr 23, 2024
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston, along with members of the DA’s Office’s Sexual Exploitation and Crimes Against Children (SECAC) Unit, DA’s Office Victim Advocates, and representatives from Prevent Child Abuse Georgia, recently unveiled a pinwheel garden outside the DeKalb County Courthouse. The initiative aims to recognize Crime Victims’ Rights Week and Child Abuse Prevention Month.According to DA Boston, the 170 pinwheels planted symbolize the 170,000 children residing in DeKalb County. The installation serves as part of an awareness campaign to spotlight...
Brunswick Man Convicted of Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault and Other Crimes
By GA News Gazette | Apr 23, 2024
District Attorney Keith Higgins announced that Erving Lamar Jackson, a 31-year-old man from Brunswick, GA, was found guilty by a Glynn County jury of various crimes. The jury deliberated for less than an hour before reaching its verdict.The evidence presented at trial revealed a harrowing ordeal between Jackson and the victim, LaQuambia Cliette, who had been in a previous romantic relationship. Jackson threatened the victim with a gun, forced her to drive to multiple locations, and violently attacked her, culminating in a disturbing incident where he dragged her by her...
Cobb County Solicitor General Makia Metzger Launches Innovative Youthful Offender Pretrial Diversion Program
By GA News Gazette | Apr 22, 2024
Cobb County Solicitor General Makia Metzger has launched a youthful offender pretrial diversion program aimed at youth and young adults facing non-violent misdemeanor charges. The program, initiated in March 2024, seeks to provide alternative pathways for success for young individuals who may have made impulsive decisions."Studies show that 17–25-year olds' frontal lobes aren't fully formed as this part of the brain is still developing, a factor that leads to poor decisions, a lack of discernment, good judgment and impulse control," stated Solicitor General Makia Metzger,...
Brunswick Man Sentenced to 60 Years for Child Molestation Conviction
By GA News Gazette | Apr 22, 2024
District Attorney Keith Higgins announced that Terell Eugene Bacon, 33, of Brunswick, GA, has been found guilty by a Glynn County jury of three counts of Child Molestation against a 13-year-old girl. The jury deliberated for one hour before reaching its verdict.During the trial, evidence was presented that on September 5, 2022, Bacon approached the victim while she was walking her dog in the neighborhood. Bacon took advantage of the situation by asking her to come over to his residence under false pretenses. He then began grooming her and eventually engaged in sexual...
DEKALB COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARTNERS HOST RECORD RESTRICTION CLINIC IN HONOR OF SECOND CHANCE MONTH
By GA News Gazette | Apr 19, 2024
DeKalb County criminal justice partners hosted a Record Restriction Clinic in honor of Second Chance Month, where 147 criminal arrest records were restricted. The event, organized by DeKalb County law enforcement, judicial stakeholders, and community partners, took place at Goodwill of North Georgia on Lawrenceville Highway in Decatur.According to a statement from the organizers, interested individuals with arrest records by the DeKalb County Police Department or the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, as well as those with misdemeanor and felony convictions in the county,...
Appling Defendant Receives 10-Year Sentence for Obstruction of an Officer with Violence
By GA News Gazette | Apr 17, 2024
Appling County District Attorney Keith Higgins has announced that Bruce Erbertlee Jackson, a 35-year-old resident of Baxley, GA, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement in two counts of Felony Obstruction of an Officer with Violence. The verdict was reached by an Appling County jury on April 16, 2024.According to the evidence presented during the trial, the incident occurred on April 3, 2021, when Investigator Stuart Boyer of the Baxley Police Department stopped Jackson's vehicle for multiple traffic violations. Jackson, who identified himself as...
TWO MEN TO SERVE DECADES IN PRISON FOR RANDOM BEATING THAT LED TO MAN’S DEATH
By GA News Gazette | Apr 17, 2024
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced the conviction by jury trial in the case against a Snellville man accused of beating a man to death. "On Monday, jurors found Jaheim Sims, 22, guilty on three counts of Felony Murder, Aggravated Battery, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony," revealed Boston.The incident occurred on September 10, 2020, when officers responded to an assault on Tilly Mill Road. A witness described the brutal attack, stating, "I heard someone screaming and saw two men repeatedly...
Florida Attorney Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in COVID-19 Fraud Scheme
By GA News Gazette | Apr 17, 2024
A Florida attorney, Shaquandra Woods, has been sentenced to 75 months in federal prison for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud related to a COVID-19 relief fund scheme. U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg stated, “Shaquandra Woods prolifically filed fraudulent applications for COVID-19 pandemic relief funds for herself and for others.” Woods was also ordered to pay $42,848 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release upon completion of her prison term.The scheme involved Woods fabricating and submitting false documents to obtain funding from the Small Business...
GEORGIA DISTRICT ATTORNEYS FILE NEW LAWSUIT AGAINST THE STATE TO CHALLENGE REACTIVATED OVERSIGHT COMMISSION
By GA News Gazette | Apr 16, 2024
A bipartisan group of Georgia district attorneys (DAs) has filed a new lawsuit in Fulton County Superior Court challenging the constitutionality of the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission (PAQC). The lawsuit alleges that the PAQC overrides the will of voters, threatens prosecutorial independence, and violates federal and state constitutions.The plaintiffs, led by a national nonprofit organization working to protect civil rights, along with Atlanta-based law firms, are pushing back against the reactivation of the PAQC. Governor Brian Kemp signed a bill into law...
FOUR DEFENDANTS DENIED BOND IN MULTIJURISDICTIONAL GANG CASE
By GA News Gazette | Apr 15, 2024
Four defendants arrested in a gang case in Lithonia on April 5, 2024, were denied bond this morning. Camryn Byrd, 23, Nashan Hutton (a.k.a. Nahan Hutton), 24, Darin Harris, 20, and Shadae Woods, 19, faced the denial of bond as their attorneys filed motions for bond in their cases. The defendants are charged with various offenses including Unlawful Manufacture, Delivery, Distribution, Possession, or Sale of Noncontrolled Substances, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, and Possession of a Firearm During...
Coffee County Man Sentenced for Illegally Obtaining COVID-19 Relief Funds
By GA News Gazette | Apr 12, 2024
A Coffee County man, Kyle Waldron, has been sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay over $1.3 million in restitution for fraudulently obtaining funds intended to assist businesses struggling during the pandemic. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, Jill E. Steinberg, stated, "Kyle Waldron committed brazen fraud and theft from pandemic relief funds." Waldron, 59, of Douglas, Ga., pleaded guilty to money laundering and was sentenced to 15 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood.According to Steinberg, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief,...
MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN DECATUR DOUBLE MURDER
By GA News Gazette | Apr 10, 2024
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a significant development in the case of a double murder in Decatur. Royce Stewart, 42, pleaded guilty to various charges related to the murders of his niece and his sister's fiancé.According to the report, Stewart had been staying at his sister’s apartment for about a week before the tragic incident took place. The events unfolded when Stewart's sister witnessed him stabbing her fiancé, Manuel Santos, in the bedroom. She tried to intervene and called 911, but Stewart fled the scene after taking her car keys....
Multiple defendants prosecuted on federal firearms, drug charges
By GA News Gazette | Apr 10, 2024
SAVANNAH, GA: Newly returned indictments in the Southern District of Georgia include felony charges for illegal firearms possession and drug distribution, while additional defendants have been sentenced to federal prison or await further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal gun charges."Reducing violent crime in our communities requires a collaborative effort with our law enforcement partners to remove illegally possessed firearms from our streets," said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. "Active prosecution of these cases also...
Man Arrested for Crashing into FBI Gate
By GA News Gazette | Apr 9, 2024
Erving Lee Bolling, 48, of Easley, South Carolina, faced his initial appearance on April 3, 2024, for the federal charge of depredation of federal property after he tried to breach security at the FBI Atlanta’s Headquarters by ramming his vehicle into a security barrier. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan emphasized, “The safety of our law enforcement partners is one of the highest priorities of this office.”Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, Keri Farley, highlighted the importance of employee safety, stating, “The safety of our employees is of paramount concern for us...
CONYERS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO HOME INVASION ARMED ROBBERY OF SENIOR CITIZEN IN BROOKHAVEN
By GA News Gazette | Apr 9, 2024
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced the conviction of Antavious Bailey, a Conyers man, who pleaded guilty to charges related to a home invasion armed robbery of an 88-year-old woman in Brookhaven. According to the announcement, Bailey pleaded guilty to multiple charges including Home Invasion, Kidnapping, Armed Robbery, Abuse of an Elder Person, False Imprisonment, Identity Fraud, Financial Transaction Card Fraud, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.The incident took place on...
Former Office Manager Sentenced to Federal Prison for Embezzling Over $8.5 Million
By GA News Gazette | Apr 8, 2024
Sonya Hesenius, a former office manager and executive assistant, has been sentenced to federal prison for embezzling over $8.5 million from her employer. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan expressed, “Hesenius will now be held accountable for her flagrant theft of millions of dollars from her employer to support a lavish lifestyle.” The former office manager was entrusted with financial responsibilities but chose to use company funds for personal gain, as noted by Buchanan.Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, commented on Hesenius' breach of trust, stating,...
Atlanta’s Former Chief Financial Officer Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Funds and Tax Obstruction
By GA News Gazette | Apr 8, 2024
The City of Atlanta’s former Chief Financial Officer, Jimmie “Jim” A. Beard, has pleaded guilty to theft of government funds and obstructing federal tax laws. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan stated, “Jim Beard abused his power as the CFO for the City of Atlanta to steal tens of thousands of dollars from taxpayers to fund personal trips, luxuries, and even custom-built machine guns, then lied to the IRS and submitted altered records when called to account for suspicious write-offs.”FBI Atlanta's Special Agent in Charge, Keri Farley, emphasized the impact of Beard's actions...
Ghost Busted defendant who sold fatal fentanyl doses sentenced to two decades in prison
By GA News Gazette | Apr 4, 2024
A Glynn County man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to trafficking drugs that led to two fatal overdoses.Jon Dillon Screen, 32, of Brunswick, Ga., was sentenced to 240 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine and a Quantity of Fentanyl, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood also ordered Screen to serve five years of supervised release upon completion of his prison...
STONE MOUNTAIN MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN SHOOTING DEATH OF TEENAGER
By GA News Gazette | Apr 4, 2024
A Stone Mountain man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the shooting death of a teenager in the middle of the street. Trillian Haile, 36, was found guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in the case involving the death of Dontavious Young, 19, on September 8, 2020.During the trial presided over by Senior Judge David Irwin, Haile was sentenced to serve 20 years in confinement and an additional 5 years on probation. The incident unfolded when Stone Mountain Police Department officers...
Georgia State Prison Inmate Indicted for Making, Mailing Bombs to Federal Facilities
By GA News Gazette | Apr 4, 2024
A man serving a life term in a Georgia state prison has been indicted on federal charges for constructing and mailing bombs to federal facilities. David Cassady, 55, an inmate at Phillips State Prison in Buford, Ga., is facing charges including Making an Unregistered Destructive Device and Mailing a Destructive Device, as well as Attempted Malicious Use of an Explosive. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, Jill E. Steinberg, stated, "Protecting our personnel and facilities is a fundamental role of our office and of our law enforcement partners. We also will...