STAFF REPORT :::

What officials have described as an “open air drug market” has been the focus of an ongoing investigation by the Griffin Police Department Special Investigations and C.A.G.E. units.

A press release issued by the GPD states that Operation Reciprocity concentrated on the area of North 2^nd Street and East Central Avenue, particularly the 500 block of East Central, which is referred to as “The Alley.”

“The area of North 2^nd Street and East Central Avenue has been an open-air drug market for some time now, with the largest amount of drug sales being that of crack cocaine,” the press release stated. “The Griffin Police Department have (sic) received numerous drug complaints about this area from local residents and property owners related to the constant drug dealing in the area.”

According to the GPD, numerous drug transactions were observed during Operation Reciprocity, and numerous arrests were made, primarily involving, but not limited to, crack cocaine.

Among those arrested were:

Dontrell Mangham, age 26, who faces charges of sale of crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine and participation in criminal street gang activity.

Randall Hunt, age 22, who faces charges of sale of crack cocaine, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and participation in criminal street gang activity.

Kelsey Walker, age 48, who faces charges of sale of crack cocaine and possession of cocaine.

Zachary Edwards, age 58; Quincy Collier, age 26, Mary Landers, age 59; Curtis Slater, age 51; James Woods, age 66; Earlie Walker, age  66; and Darren Dukes, age 57, each face a charge of possession of crack cocaine.

Vivian Riggins, age 56, faces a charge of possession of a drug related object.

Lonnie Watts, age 33, faces a charge of possession of marijuana.

Jasha Clark, age 17; faces a charge of possession of marijuana and driving while unlicensed.

“Elements of this investigation are still active and ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated as this operation targeted both buyers and sellers of the illicit drugs,” the release stated. “GPD will remain vigilant in our (sic) efforts to eliminate the scourge of drugs in our community in an effort to improve the quality of life of our citizens.”

The release expressed appreciation to citizens who come forward to assist the GPD ‘take their neighborhoods back.”

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

It has been determined that Spalding County Commissioner Gwen Flowers-Taylor did not violate the county’s code of ethics.

The Spalding County Ethics Review Panel, in a unanimous vote, determined Flowers-Taylor did not violate the code of ethics in a verbal confrontation with resident Bobby Peurifoy during a recess of the May 7 Board of Commissioners meeting.

The GRIP will later report fully on this as well as the ethics hearing to be held concerning Commissioner Don Hawbaker.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

The Spalding County Ethics Review Panel has determined Commissioner Don Hawbaker did not violate the county’s code of ethics.

Hawbaker faced complaints by three individuals who alleged he violated the code in social media discussions.

The Ethics Review Panel unanimously voted in favor of Hawbaker in each of the three complaints.

The GRIP will later report fully on this as well as the ethics hearing held for Commissioner Gwen Flowers-Taylor.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

A Griffin Christian High School student is under investigation for the offense of terroristic threats/intimidation in connection to an alleged threat of violence against certain faculty and staff members.

Trysten Alexander Warr, a 17-year-old Griffin Christian High student who resides in Peachtree City, is alleged to have made the threat against five specific individuals on Snapchat.

Parents of some Griffin Christian students were made aware of the incident through a letter issued days later.

“This letter is to inform you that, on Sunday, July 15, 2018, the school was notified of a threat made during a social media conversations involving several of our students,” stated the letter written July 18. “The threat was made against faculty and staff members.”

According to the letter, the parents of other students involved in the social media conversation were notified, as was the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office.

“It must be noted, that the student recanted and insisted that the incident was done jokingly. I must reiterate to our students, staff, and parents that joking about any type of harm to anyone affiliated with Griffin Christian High School, while school is in session or not in session, is not a joking matter,” the letter stated. “These type matters will be taken seriously and will be disciplined appropriately.”

An email originally sent to the fathers of some students stated, “Law enforcement is involved and handling all legalities,” and went on to say that Warr is no longer a Griffin Christian High School student and is under court order to remain a certain distance from the campus.

STAFF REPORT :::

The Griffin Police Department on Tuesday, July 31, responded to a report of an armed robbery at the T-Mobile on North Expressway.

According to a press release, officers in Henry County initiated a pursuit with a vehicle identified as the getaway vehicle.

The pursuit, with the assistance of the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, Henry County Police Department and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, resulted in the apprehension of three suspects.

Dexter Boyd, Victor Warner and Timothy Ragland were arrested and charged with armed robbery and kidnapping.

Officials say additional charges are pending.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

The suspect in the Wednesday night domestic-related homicide of 23-year-old Steven Andrew Freeman claimed the shooting was accidental.

Freeman was killed by a single gunshot wound to the chest.

According to the incident report submitted by Griffin Police Department Master Patrol Officer Brian Earls, 24-year-old Mary Katherine Higdon, who has been charged in Freeman’s death, alleged she did not intend to shoot her boyfriend.

“I had contact with Mary Katherine Higdon, who was with Patrolman Johnson in the back bedroom of the residence and she stated that her gun ‘went off’ when she was handing it to her boyfriend Steven Freeman,” said Earls, who later stated, “Higdon repeated over and over that ‘she didn’t understand what happened and that she never kept a round in the chamber.’”

Higdon allegedly reported that prior to the shooting, she had been preparing a lunch for Freeman from that evening’s meal.

Earls also reported Higdon had been drinking, stating, “I could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from her breath as she talked and she began to mumble and talk in a manner where I couldn’t understand what she was saying.’”

Higdon has been charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Publisher’s note: This article appeared in a recent print edition of The GRIP>

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

From tragedy to triumph – that is the story of Jennifer Fuller, the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office’s first female SWAT operator.

Fuller earned that title with her successful completion of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office SWAT School. However, not one to set such low goals, Fuller opted to take it up a notch by also earning the honor of Top Gun.

These accomplishments are not remarkable because Fuller is a woman. They are, however, quite incredible considering the career-threatening third degree burn wounds she sustained only two years ago.

“This is something that was a huge deal for me because after I was burned, I didn’t know if I’d ever even be able to shoot a gun again. Going through that rehab, I didn’t know if I’d be able to do what I’m doing now,” Fuller said. “What I went through with the burn, I don’t wish on anybody. I wouldn’t have been able to make it through without the support system I had, not only my husband and family, but the community. The people of Spalding County really came together to help me, and I don’t want to let any of them down. I want to make them all proud. It makes it even sweeter.”

Fuller has already set her own bar high as the first female law enforcement officer assigned to work out of the S.O.’s Special Operations Unit. A member of the C.A.G.E. Unit, she works with an otherwise all-male unit, many of whom are already SWAT certified.

“All the guys over there at Special Ops are SWAT trained. A lot of my career, I’ve pushed myself to keep up with the guys. When we got the SWAT team, I wanted to be the first female.

The opportunity to go to the weeklong SWAT school was not a given – it had to be earned.
“Even for our SWAT team tryout, there was nothing bumped down for me,” Fuller said, who added that she was the only woman in her SWAT class. “They were great. They treated me just like I was a SWAT operator. I was no different than any other guy out there. I had the same standards as the men.”

The equal standard also applied to the Top Gun competition.

“They rank their top gun not on shooting scores. They did their Top Gun out there based on a training exercise,” she explained. “They had us start at the far right of the range all the way to the end, and we ran to the dividing wall. From the dividing wall, we ran to the 25-yard line in full gear. At the 25-yard line, we did 10 push-ups. From the 10 push-ups, we ran to probably lane five or six, which is basically the span of both ranges.”

She then took her shots at what was described as a small metal silhouette with a softball-sized moving red target. The silhouette was the hostage and the moving red target was the bad guy, she said.

“We had two rounds to shoot the bad guy,” Fuller said. “I drew my weapon, collected my breathing and hut the red target on the first shot… on the second round, I hit it again and it swung around, and the competition was over. They had informed me at that time that I was Top Gun, and I couldn’t believe them. There were probably eight more people to go after me, so I thought someone else would get it, but I was the only one in the class who hit the bad guy on each shot.”

Law enforcement officer.

Survivor.

First female SCSO SWAT operator.

Top Gun.

Those accomplishments may be enough for some, but not Fuller.

“I’m looking at my next adventure, what my next goal is going to be,” she said.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

Two Spalding County jailers have been terminated Monday when Sheriff Darrell Dix became aware of comments the pair allegedly posted online on social media and gaming sites.

According to Dix, a law enforcement source reported Howard Costner and Jesse Jones alleged comments.

“Based on information we found out this morning, their services were no longer needed,” said Dix, who described the statements as “inflammatory.”

Dix denied receiving information from Antifa.

“I’ve seen some of them and we actually looked at some of their stuff on social media and confirmed that some of the comments credited to them were accurate, and I acted on it,” Dix said.

Asked if a pre-employment social media background check is routine practice, Dix stated, “We do, but some of these comments come from places we’d never heard of – some of the gaming sites and other places. We check basic stuff just like all law enforcement agencies do.”

He confirmed Costner had been the subject of a prior complaint.

“We had received a complaint about Costner in the past – about some of the flags that are depicted in some of his pictures that are in his room – and from our research, none of those are affiliated with Nazi Germany or Nazis. We cannot find anything that affiliated them with Nazi Germany or Nazis. They were just old German flags,” Dix said.

He stressed that Costner and Jones’ “poor choices” should not reflect poorly upon other Spalding County Sheriff’s Office personnel.

Costner had been employed by the SCSO for approximately 11 months, and Jones had served approximately ten months.

Publisher’s note: During the Aug. 6, 2018, Spalding County Board of Commissioner’s meeting, Commissioner Don Hawbaker produced a written statement he requested be placed in the public record. This is his complete and unedited response to the Ethics Review Panel hearing regarding three complaints filed against himself, and one filed against Commissioner Gwen Flowers-Taylor.

At our June 4 meeting I apologized for making harsh comments to some people on a private FB page. I asked for a correction and an apology about what I considered an untrue statement, friends of Mr. Eddie Goss flocked to his support and argued with me, and I argued back. I take responsibility for my comments and wish I had never taken the bait. Nothing I’m about to say is intended to walk-back that apology. I’m still sorry I participated in that discussion because I’m definitely an amateur who was tangling with professional, experienced FB commenters.

But answering for my comments in the context of an ethics review is a completely different matter. When three citizens swore under oath, subject to the penalties of perjury, that I had violated the Code of Ethics governing our conduct as commissioners and filed their ethics complaint, they took this to a whole different level, a quasi-legal level. So here are my observations on this whole process, and I’m not going to sugar-coat them.

As set out in the applicable Ordinance, an ethics complaint requires first a finding by this BOC that the complaint indeed states a Prima Facie violation. “Prima Facie” is a Latin, legal term meaning “on its face” or “at first look.” A hearing was held by all of you on May 24 and you all decided that the three complaints against me met that standard. You decided that the complaint brought by Mr. Washington against Commissioner Flowers-Taylor stated a prima facie complaint. I didn’t attend that meeting for reasons that aren’t important to specify here; but I certainly didn’t think any of you would look at (a) the Code of Ethics, and (b) the complaints themselves and find that a prima facie case had been stated by any of them against Commissioner Flowers-Taylor or against me. I didn’t believe that our county attorney would come to that conclusion, but apparently he did and his guidance allowed you to make those findings. Mr. Fortune, I’m very fond of you, but on May 24 my colleagues needed an attorney, this county needed an attorney, and your legal advice was way off. If that makes you angry or embarrasses you, well, I’ve been angry and embarrassed by this process. This whole process should have begun and ended that night.

You know who determined that these complaints didn’t state a prima facie case? All 5 of the review panelists. They took the time that apparently few of you in this room did to do exactly what should have been done on May 24: simply compare the basis of the complaints to the ethical considerations set out in the Code of Ethics. When they did, they had no choice but to rule 15-0 in my favor; that is, they voted 5-0 on each of the 3 complaints. If there had been 10 complaints, the votes would have been 50-0; if 100 complaints, the results would have been 500-0. That’s because contrary to the legal opinion that was rendered and reached, these citizens could easily see there was not even a prima facie case stated by any of the 3 complaints.

Apparently, a lot of people in this county who spend their life or at least much of their free time on FB also never read the actual complaints and the Code of Ethics. For the first time in 2 months, following the July 25 hearing I opened up Facebook and took a look at the comments of the howling mob on these public FB pages that apparently, and sadly, thousands of citizens use as their primary source of news and information – although it appears that only a small number, maybe 50, of these keyboard warriors are actually active. Their angry comments were really entertaining, and the level of ignorance was amazing.

I don’t think I’m the smartest guy in this county and maybe not even in this room, but I know I’m smarter than all of the people who occupy, comment on and administer those pages. Many of you who do are in this room tonight. You all need some basic education. You may not understand that freedom of speech applies to all of us. Apparently, you don’t know that no one loses his rights to free speech just because he’s an elected official. It’s called the First Amendment, freedom of speech, to the U.S. Constitution. It’s called the Speech Clause in the Georgia Constitution. These rights have been around more than two centuries. And if you don’t like the speech you’re hearing or reading on social media, the answer isn’t trying to control that speech as some of you want to do with a bogus ethics complaint or by revising the ethics code to punish content or tone of speech made by a commissioner. And that Ethics Code will never try and regulate speech because that would be a bald-faced violation of the First Amendment by a governmental entity. The correct and effective response to speech you don’t like is simply more speech.

Understand this: just because I or anyone else up here volunteered to serve and ran for elected office doesn’t mean we lost our rights to free speech under U.S. and Georgia Constitutions. I don’t know about the others, but I certainly didn’t do this for the money. I hoped I could make a positive difference and believe that for the most part, I have. Apparently so do the constituents I serve. I will always endeavor to speak respectfully and treat everyone kindly – even when they respond with sarcasm, untrue accusations, and defamatory statements. But there may be a point where I’m probably going to respond in a less friendly manner. Anyone would. Judge not lest you be judged.
About the only regulator on rights of free speech is that you can go too far, defame someone and possibly have to answer for it in a civil lawsuit. I defamed no one in the FB comments on Mr. Goss’s private page; if you think I have, well, the courthouse is across the street, file a defamation suit. You’ll have the burden of proof which will provide all of the protection I’ll need. I and my wife have been defamed on those public FB pages. In 2017 I sent pre-lawsuit letters to two people who had most egregiously done so, and to the moderator of that page who facilitated the defamation and requested that they publicly apologize. Which they did. Again, just because I’m an elected official doesn’t mean I can’t bring a successful defamation lawsuit. There are plenty of reported cases of public officials who were defamed on FB, sued and won judgments for hundreds of thousands of dollars. And I won’t hesitate to do so myself – if you’re going to behave that way. The apologies I received probably weren’t sincere and were extended just to avoid a lawsuit, but I hope the point is made: I will defend myself and assert my rights to not be defamed and called corrupt. Same for my wife. Otherwise, fire away – speak about me all you want.

Getting back to this prima facie finding: Besides the review panelists you know who else acknowledged that the complaints did not state a prima facie violation of the Code of Ethics?

The three complainants themselves: Mr. Washington, Ms. Norman and Ms. White. Each of them testified under oath his or her complaint did not fall within purview of code of ethics. While they used words like “Violated the Code of Ethics” when I asked each of them which provision of 2-12003 my FB comments violated, they all admitted that my FB comments did not violate the existing Code of Ethics. Ms. Norman even admitted she had never even read the Code of Ethics until the night before the July 25 hearing. Yet she filed her complaint in late May.

And frankly, it would have been to their benefit that back on May 24 the county attorney and the members of this BOC found no prima facie violation and ended this process then and there. Just like I responded emotionally in my FB comments that many people found objectionable and hurt their feelings, I’m willing to assume that these complaints were filed quickly based in large part on an emotional reaction. Because I know they had no basis in any governing law.

The Code requires that a sworn statement be filed to activate the review process. And each of them did file a sworn, notarized statement that I had committed an ethical violation. In general, a notarized statement under oath subjects each of them to the possibility of perjury, especially when (a) they later admit openly at the hearing that their complaint does not fall within the scope of the Code of Ethics, and (b) refuse to withdraw their complaint. It may have made them and all of the FB crowd on these public FB pages angry – they’re always angry about something – but you all could have been doing the complaining parties a big favor by finding no prima facie case and not allowing the process to have gone forward. But you didn’t and now they are, in my opinion, in legal jeopardy.

During the hearing on July 25 I asked each complainant 2 questions: did anyone, any professional, help you prepare your complaint? They all said no. I asked whether they had been assisted by a professional because when you’re signing something under oath you need to appreciate the legal risk that carries. I don’t know whether having or not having professional help made the sworn complaints more or less reckless, more or less malicious, but I think it’s significant that they probably didn’t appreciate the gravity of filing a sworn statement.

And, I asked if they wished to withdraw their complaint and all 3 said no. I did that not so much for my benefit as I did for theirs. Had they said they would withdraw it, they might have been minimizing their legal risk and exposure. Such as when I sent those pre-lawsuit letters asking those who had defamed me to apologize publicly and they did. Now all 3 of them are in legal jeopardy of having committed perjury, which they basically admit they have committed. I’m not their lawyer, it’s just my legal opinion. I do have two words of advice for Mr. Washington, Ms. Norman and Ms. White: Lawyer Up.
For those of you who seem to spend most of your free time on social media sites like FB, I feel sorry for you. It warps your view of the world and you’re less intelligent for the time spent there. I understand how you may feel that FB creates some sort of zone of immunity where you can say almost anything you want without legal consequence; it doesn’t. That if you make defamatory statements, especially about your local, elected officials, you aren’t subject to being held responsible; you can. Many of you also seem to think that a FB Court exists and that by tagging someone you have summoned them to FB Court to answer for and be judged for their perceived errors or sins. I suggest you get out in the real world more often and spend less time on FB. It’s a tool of the Devil.

I also suggest that you attribute just a small amount of good faith to we who have been elected to serve. I assume the best and good-faith about citizens who contact me. Instead of starting out with some assumption of the worst about our motives, actions and comments, ask some questions of people who have the knowledge, ability and authority to answer your questions.

Don’t traffic in FB rumor and innuendo. Someone told me that in a discussion about T-SPLOST a commenter said that only 30% of funds raised by sales taxes must be used for the designated project and the other 70% spent as the commissioners please. That’s absolutely not true. Those funds must be used for the designated projects or people go to jail. SPLOST law isn’t terribly complicated but there are rules and regulations, and commissioners have only a small amount of discretion where to direct left-over money. It certainly doesn’t go to our pet projects or to things that the voters haven’t already approved. Please, before you promulgate rumors, ask someone who can provide accurate information. While it may be fun for some of you to shoot spitballs at your elected officials from the peanut gallery and to come down here and yell at us for your and your friends’ entertainment, why not consider running for office yourself? If you have all the answers and can fix everything that’s wrong with this county, if you think you’re smarter than anyone sitting up here, you should be running for office rather than sitting behind a computer and pounding away on a keyboard. As Jack Nicholson’s character, Col. Jessup said in A Few Good Men, pick up a rifle and stand the post.

Lastly for those who wanted to see me punished because I defended myself, know that the process itself was a punishment. It took lots of time away from my day job and my family, it reduced my income. It’s also likely that my professional errors and omissions insurance premiums will be going up; in each renewal application I have to disclose whether ethics complaints of any kind have been asserted against me and of course I disclosed these complaints.

I’ve sent certified copies of the 15-0 verdicts of the review panel to my insurer but haven’t yet heard whether my insurance rates will be going up as a result. So you damaged me and got some amount of revenge regardless of these verdicts.

Congratulations. But if my rates do go up, I’ll be sending the county or even Mr. Washington, Ms. Norman and Ms. Kent a bill for reimbursement.

This process never should have occurred under the Code of Ethics. There simply was no prima facie review from the beginning. Thank you.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

At least one person has been seriously injured in a reported explosion at ARI, an aerosol product manufacturing facility located at 2523 S. McDonough Road.

According to Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, the incident was reported as an explosion with a fire at 4:24 p.m.

“It appears that there was some type of an explosion. There was one employee that we know of so far that appears to have sustained what appears to be third degree burns,” Dix said.

Personnel of the Spalding County Fire Department and the SCSO remain on scene.

The public is being asked to avoid this area.

The GRIP will post updates on the developing story as additional information becomes available.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

A trooper assigned to the Georgia State Patrol-Griffin Post was arrested by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Christopher McEntyre, who was at the time of the incident a GSP corporal, was arrested after allegedly causing a disturbance at a Searcy Avenue residence.

According to the SCSO Deputy P. Fuller’s incident report, he was en route to the residence when notified by dispatch that the homeowner had detained the suspect.

“Upon my arrival, I observed the offender in the front yard of the incident location, laying face down in the grass beside a blue vehicle with his hands on his head,” the report stated.

The homeowner said he told McEntyre he had a firearm, but was actually holding an ash tray, Fuller reported.

“I was able to smell a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from the offender,” Fuller reported. “He (McEntyre) advised several times he was sorry he knew he couldn’t drive.”

After McEntyre was placed in handcuffs, Fuller spoke further with the homeowner.

“I spoke to the homeowner who advised he was laying in bed when he heard a noise on his porch. Upon exiting his door he observed the offender standing beside the homeowner’s blue car. He advised he picked up the first thing he saw, an ashtray, and told the offender to get on the ground he had a gun,” Fuller stated. “He advised the offender laid down and began saying he was sorry. He advised he called 911 and the offender did not move.”

The homeowner denied knowing McEntyre, was unsure how he had arrived at his residence. Fuller said the homeowner also did said he did not want McEntyre to get in trouble for the incident.

Fuller did not locate any other vehicles in the immediate area, and McEntyre allegedly denied knowing how he arrived at the Searcy Road location.

“The offender continued to apologize and cry saying he was sorry. I asked him where he came from. He advised he had been at the bar drinking. When I asked him what bar he had been at he was unable to advise. I asked him if he knew where he was and he was able to advise Griffin but not what area of Griffin,” Fuller said. “He seemed confused and was looking around. I asked him multiple times if he drove. He said he shouldn’t drive.”
Fuller said McEntyre stated he did not know where his phone was, but he did have his wallet.

“I retrieved his wallet and upon checking for his identification I observed a Georgia State Patrol badge,” Fuller said.

At that time, Fuller contacted his supervisor, Sgt. Chuck Hutto, who advised he would be en route.

As Fuller was escorting McEntyre to his patrol car, the deputy noticed the suspect was wearing only one shoe, but he could not advise the location of his missing shoe.

As Hutto arrived, his headlights shone on an area on nearby railroad tracks, allowing Fuller to spot a red Toyota pickup truck.

“The vehicle was sitting between the main line and the alternate line. The truck appeared to have been driving on the railroad track and when it attempted to leave the tracks got stuck between the tracks,” Fuller said.

After hearing a request for a K9 officer to respond to this incident, McEntyre reportedly admitted the truck was his and consented to a search.

Meanwhile, Hutto requested the Georgia State Patrol also respond.

The responding trooper worked the wreck but deferred the DUI investigation to the SCSO.

“I checked the vehicle and observed a shoe to be in the driver side floor board. The shoe appeared to match the shoe the offender was wearing. I then asked the offender to step out of my patrol vehicle. I asked him how much he had to drink. The offender advised, ‘A lot,’” Fuller stated.

Fuller said McEntyre experienced difficulty with the field sobriety test – including almost falling down – at which time he said McEntyre said he was unable to do anymore.

Fuller said after McEntyre stopped the last test, he turned around, placed his hands behind his back and said he knew he was under arrest for driving under the influence.

According to Capt. Mark Perry, McEntyre was placed on administrative leave with pay following his arrest.

“He has since resigned his position and is no longer employed,” Perry said.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

The city of Griffin is refusing to release public records to The GRIP.

After filing formal complaints with the Georgia Attorney General’s Office alleging the city of Griffin has violated numerous provisions of the Open Records Act, The GRIP received notification from Griffin Chief of Staff Jessica Whatley-O’Connor stating access to records is being denied.

In an email dated July 18, O’Connor stated, “In preparing our response to the complaint you filed with the Attorney General’s office, we found over $500, $523.40 to be exact, in responses prepared for you that you have not paid. Therefore, pursuant to OCGA 50-18-71, as well as an opinion of the Attorney General’s office, we will not respond to any further requests until the amount has been paid in full. We will also proceed with a collection action for the costs owed to the City and our taxpayers.”

The complaints referenced by O’Connor are currently being reviewed by Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Colangelo and include allegations the city is violating the Open Records Act by charging for records that were emailed rather than produced in hard copy; by refusing to allow records to be duplicated by the requester’s personal equipment; by failing to respond to a request for records; and by refusing to produce records within the time frame mandated by law.

Colangelo wrote two letters to City Attorney Drew Whalen, each detailing two complaints. Whalen requested, and was granted, an extension to July 30 to respond to both letters from the Attorney General’s Office. Whalen responded to the first letter by that extension date, but no response to the second was forthcoming.

Whalen’s letter stated in part, “The City of Griffin has investigated the complaint filed with your office by Sheila Mathews. It is our position this complaint has no merit and should be dismissed. In reviewing the Open Records requests filed by Ms. Mathews over the past year, it is apparent that she is abusing the law and unwilling to conform to its spirit and intent.”

In response to two of the complaints, Whalen said, “Your letter sets forth two specific accusations, which I will address in order. First, you question the authority of the City charging Ms. Mathews for scanning documents maintained by the City Police Department in a proprietary digital format, some of which contained data subject to redaction. In order to provide these records to Ms. Mathews in PDF format, as she requested, the city had to print a hardcopy, make the required redactions, where necessary, and then scan it into PDF. Our position is the law allows us to charge the cost of making the hardcopy, whether it produces the record in that format or not.
Second, you raise an issue whether the videos, which Ms. Mathews viewed on a computer terminal in City offices that is set up for that purpose were open to copying on her personal computer. If after viewing the records the requester desires a copy, it will be produced at the allowed cost. The City’s position is that Ms. Mathews felt she should be able to view these files without charge.”

His letter went on to address the city of Griffin’s interpretation of the law.
“The law allows the City to recoup a reasonable charge for the search, retrieval, and, if applicable, redaction of such record(s), but the law does not allow her to view records before deciding she wants copies and avoid all charges for search, retrieval, and redaction,” Whalen wrote.

Whalen then directly addressed The GRIP Publisher Sheila Mathews.

“Ms. Mathews evidently feels she should not have to pay for records and manipulates her requests in a manner to minimize charges, if not avoid them altogether. If she requests a copy, it will either be in hardcopy at 10 cents per page, or on a DVD at $1.00 per disk. In case of the latter, the nominal charge of $1.00 per DVD is extremely reasonable given the fact an employee’s time will always be involved in transferring the data onto a disk, Whalen wrote. “Since Ms. Mathews file (sic) her complaint in this matter, the frequency of filing Open Records requests with the City of Griffin has increased exponentially. Also since that time, the City has gone back through its files and discovered Ms. Mathews currently owes over $500 for requests that have gone unpaid. She has since been notified that the City will not respond to any future Open Records requests until this arrearage is paid in full.”

Upon receipt of O’Connor’s email, Mathews requested an itemized list of the charges city officials allege are outstanding.

Griffin Assistant Open Records Officer Teresa Watson, who also serves as executive secretary to City Manager Kenny Smith, provided a spreadsheet itemizing the alleged $523.40 in outstanding Open Records fees.

Altogether, 11 separate Open Records requests were cited with six dating from 2018, four from 2017 and one from 2014, with individually-assessed fees ranging from $1.80 to $164.01, specifically:

Requested July 9, 2018, with a response date of July 12, 2018 – Phone records with an assessed fee of $30.89

Requested July 9, 3018, with a response date of July 12, 2018 – Written communications with an assessed fee of $39.52

Requested July 9, 2018, with a response date of July 12, 2018 – Written communications with an assessed fee of $32.37

Requested May 29, 2018, with a response date of May 29, 2018 – Email communications with an assessed fee of $65.32

Requested April 11, 2018, with a response date of April 11, 2018 – Reports with an assessed fee of $1.80

Requested Jan. 23, 2018, with a response date of Jan. 25, 2018 – Reports and recordings with an assessed fee of $44.04 (Not included in the $523.40 total is the city of Griffin’s $110 fee for the requested recordings. This assessed fee of $44.04 represents only the requested reports.)

Requested Oct. 9, 2018, with a response date of Oct. 9, 2018 – Recordings with an assessed fee of $30

Requested Aug. 1, 2017, with a response date that was not specified – Documents and recordings with an assessed fee of $85.05

Requested Jan. 23, 2017, with a response date of Jan. 26, 2017 – Documents and reports with an assessed fee of $164.01

Requested Jan. 17, 2017, with a response date of Feb. 2, 2017 – Documents and recordings with an assessed fee of $20.50

The final citation pertains to a November 2014 request for documents. When specific information was requested pertaining to this demand, Watson said, “As for Line 13, that was a request handled by Judy Flournoy prior to my arrival at the City. I do not find an original request from you, nor a formal response from the City for the 99 pages of documentation and I am unaware of the circumstances … I just have handwritten notes that accompany the 99 pages of responsive documentation (and the notes are attached), and a computer copy of a City response that was emailed to you on November 5 at 3:10 p.m. that appears to be related to the requested material.”

After researching the city’s allegation of nonpayment, The GRIP contends those fees are not lawful and that the city’s refusal to produce public documents is an ongoing illegal action.

Among those 11 fees O’Connor and Whalen allege Mathews owes are numerous factors indicating the monies are not owed, including the unlawful assessment of fees by the city of Griffin and repeated violations of the multiple aspects of the Open Records Act for which the city is now attempting to collect fees.

Whalen concluded his letter to Colangelo by stating, “The City of Griffin strives to be transparent with all requests, as the law in form and spirit intends. We cannot dedicate public employees to spending their entire employment fulfilling records requests to the detriment of the job for which they were hired.

The City welcomes the opportunity to mediate this complaint through your office. We will bring to the mediation a plethora of files showing the frequency with which Ms. Mathews has filed Open Records requests and demonstrating the good faith in which the City has always responded to her requests.”

The GRIP also welcomes the opportunity to mediate these matters.

Publisher’s note: Due to the city’s refusal to release public records, The GRIP is being denied responses to a number of outstanding Open Records requests. Some of these records pertain to Internal Affairs investigations conducted in response to formal complaints filed against Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates by The GRIP Publisher Sheila Mathews. The basis of those complaints, as well as the Internal Affairs findings, will be reported beginning in the next print edition of The GRIP.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

The Griffin Police Department has released personal messages from the Facebook account of Will Holloway Sanders and three other individuals. This followed a public statement directed solely to Sanders that was allegedly made by GPD Chief Mike Yates.

“Mr. Sanders, The police department and myself have been the subject of numerous unfounded and defamatory accusations by you and others which are without merit nor supporting evidence. I have received permission to release your personal Facebook material related to the Mathew Boynton case from the District Attorney prior to the adjudication of the Boynton criminal matter,” read the July 6 statement. “Given this fact, as of this coming Monday morning ALL of this material, much of which is related to your relationship with Mathews Boyntons mother will be available under the Georgia Open Records Act. Any persons interested in the entire scope of your actions, activities, motives and history will be available upon request. This material will be released in the interest of transparency and context and I am sure that you agree that this is what is important (sic all).”

Sanders’ private Facebook messages were obtained by GPD Lt. Karen Yancy, who served a search warrant on Facebook, but that warrant, along with those Yancy used to obtain the Facebook records of three other individuals, has raised questions about the information provided to establish probable cause.

The Background

Sanders originally met with Yancy May 11, 2017, when he turned in personal belongings including articles of clothing and an orthodontic retainer later determined to have belonged to Jessica Lester, the ex-wife of GPD Officer Matthew Boynton.

Lester, in December 2016, had filed a theft report with the GPD alleging Boynton had kept certain belongings of hers when she was hospitalized with a head injury earlier that year. Boynton, who was questioned regarding the theft allegation, wrote a statement saying he was not in possession of Lester’s property.

Several months later, Sanders reported he was contacted by Shelby Brianna Willey, then Boynton’s girlfriend, who claimed she had located Lester’s belongings at Boynton’s residence.

Willey sent Sanders a Facebook message requesting he call her, which he did.

According to Yancy’s affidavit, “Will Sanders said that Shelby Willey was ending her relationship with Officer Matthew Boynton and that she felt like Jessica Boynton (Lester) needed her items back. Will Sanders said that Shelby Willey told him that Officer Boynton told her that he was going to take the bag to his grandfather’s house to burn it.”

Through their phone conversation, Willey arranged to meet Sanders’ girlfriend, Michelle Gregory, to turn over Lester’s belongings. In return, Sanders paid Willey $100.
Sanders then turned in that property to the Griffin Police Department.

The Process

That was the basis under which Yancy sought and obtained search warrants from Spalding County Magistrate Court not only for Sanders’ Facebook records, but also those of Willey, Gregory and Boynton.

Despite there being only a single Facebook message from Willey to Sanders, Yancy’s warrants were sweeping, as she sought “all incoming, outgoing, draft, and trash private messages” from the four Facebook accounts for a period of more than five months – from Dec. 19, 2016, the date Lester filed the theft report, through May 25, 2017, the day the Facebook search warrant was obtained.

She also sought the UID/Vanity identification for all Facebook users with whom Sanders, Willey, Gregory and Boynton had communicated during that period of time and all photograph and video attachments associated with all four individuals’ private messages.

In her affidavit, Yancy stated there was probable cause to believe the crime of false statements and writings/concealment of facts had been committed.

However, the probable cause in the sworn statement presented to Magistrate Judge Brennan McDowell was unrelated to Sanders, Willey, Gregory, Boynton or the crime of false statements and writings/concealment of facts.

Instead, Yancy cited two commercial burglaries and named two unrelated people – Erykah Vinson and Roderick Vinson – as the probable cause for the search warrant to be granted.

Specifically, Yancy cited federal law – 18 U.S.C. § 2705(a) – which prevented Facebook from notifying the four subjects of her search warrants that their personal Facebook information had been obtained by law enforcement – and stated, “… you are ORDERED to DELAY notification to the account holder as required under 18 U.S.C. § 2703(b). This Court has determined that there is reason to believe that notification of the existence of the search warrant will cause the account holder to destroy or tamper with the evidence located on the Facebook account,” Yancy wrote. “This investigation involved the private communications between Erykah Vinson and Roderick Vinson in reference to two commercial burglaries.”

Yancy concluded her warrant by stating, “Which is in violation of (specify offense and code section): False Statements and Writings O.C.G.A 16-10-20.”

Answers sought

Upon receiving copies of Yancy’s search warrants, The GRIP on July 16 submitted an Open Records request to the city of Griffin seeking to obtain “all investigative materials including, but not limited to, reports, statements, recordings, interviews, emails, memos, documents, warrants and photographs pertaining to the two commercial burglaries cited in the search warrant used to obtain the personal Facebook information of Will Holloway Sanders.”

The city of Griffin has refused to respond to that Open Records request from The GRIP.

However, Sanders provided The GRIP with information he has since received from Griffin Assistant Open Records Officer Teresa Watson.

Pursuant to an Open Records request Sanders submitted July 30, Watson on Aug. 13 produced emails originally generated nearly a month prior.

Less than three and a half hours after The GRIP’s July 16 request was submitted, Yancy emailed Chief Yates and said, “Chief Yates, This is in reference to an error made on my part involving the Search Warrant that I had signed by Judge McDowell for the Face Book Page of Will Holloway Sanders. On May 24, 2017, Sgt McKinney emailed me a copy of a Search Warrant that was issued to Investigator Stan Phillips. That Search Warrant was for the Face Book Pages of Erikah Vinson and Roderick Vinson related to commercial burglaries. While using that as a template for my Search Warrant, I failed to remove the information involving the Vinsons. It was a mistake on my part and should not have been used as a part of my probable cause for the Search Warrant on Will Holloway Sanders Facebook page. It was a clerical mistake that should have been caught by me or the Judge. I sincerely apologize for any confusion this has caused (sic all).”

That email, along with McKinney’s email to Yancy – with a copy of Phillips’ search warrant attached – were forwarded to Watson the same day The GRIP requested information pertaining to the case involving two commercial burglaries, Erykah Vinson and Roderick Vinson.

Two days later, Griffin Chief of Staff Jessica Whatley-O’Connor announced the city’s refusal to respond to this as well as subsequent Open Records requests. (Please see City of Griffin refusing to release public records to The GRIP on this website.)

Additional warrants obtained

Yancy also sought and was granted search warrants for the cell phones belonging to Sanders and Willey.

In separate affidavits, Yancy alleged the same criminal violation – false statements and writings/concealment of facts – and stated in part, “Will Sanders and Shelby Brianna Willey have been communicating on their cell phones to set up a meeting place and payment for Brianna Willey delivering the bag. Based on the above information Affiant request that a Search Warrant be issued for their person to retrieve the cell phones that contain evidence in this case.”

Despite being granted search warrants for the two personal cell phones she alleged contained evidence in a criminal case, Yancy later reported the warrants were never executed.

These search warrants were obtained prior to Lester identifying the property turned in by Sanders. Only after investigators had obtained hundreds of pages of personal Facebook records did they seek to confirm the clothing and retainer belonged to Lester.

Once that independent confirmation was made, Boynton was interviewed by GPD investigators. According to Yates, Boynton acknowledged he had maintained possession of his ex-wife’s belongings after their separation, and that he had provided false information when previously questioned about the matter.

Soon after, Boynton resigned his position as a patrol officer with the Griffin Police Department, and he was arrested on two felony charges – false statements and writings and violation of his oath of office. A grand jury in July 2018 no billed the case against Boynton.

Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates declined a request to be interviewed for this article, stating that questions could instead be submitted “for consideration.”

Publisher’s note: Additional articles related to this matter – including details of the Facebook records released by the Griffin Police Department – in its Aug. 24 print edition of The GRIP.

STAFF REPORT :::

A press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix reports the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office has seen a rise in calls for persons who have overdosed on methamphetamine, heroin and what is believed by the user to be prescription medication. At least two of those calls have resulted in deaths, and a third individual survived cardiac arrest, Dix statedSheriff warns of extreme danger from fentanyl allegedly distributed by Ghost Face Gangsters. The common thread in these incidents is that the narcotics that have caused these overdoses and deaths have contained fentanyl.
A minor exposure to fentanyl can cause a person to go into respiratory and/or cardiac arrest immediately, and without the use of Narcan to counteract the effects of the drug, death is almost certain. Users and dealers believe that the product they receive from their suppliers is safe when in fact it may contain fentanyl or other contaminants that are obtained or manufactured by sources that are unknown. They will use it to adulterate methamphetamine, heroin, and other drugs or press it into pill forms that are forgeries of commonly abused prescription medications.
The first week in August, deputies responded to 2475 Steele Road where upon arrival they found W/M Dennis Wade deceased from a drug overdose with fentanyl present. On August 19, 2018, Deputies responded to the Racetrack Gas Station located at 4200 N. Expressway where they found W/M Jeffery Scott Callahan who was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. The investigation concluded that Callahan had been driven to the location again from the address at 2475 Steele Road. Again, his death was linked to fentanyl. Investigators have now charged W/F Amanda Chambers with involuntary manslaughter, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, reckless conduct, and interference with a 911 call. W/M Kevin Kennedy has also been charged with reckless conduct in relation to Wade’s death.
On August 25, 2018 deputies responded to 1185 School Road to a report of an unconscious person that had overdosed on narcotics. Upon arrival deputies found W/M Jackson Jones in his vehicle and in cardiac arrest. As soon as firefighters arrived they began CPR. EMS arrived and administered a dose of Narcan to Jones and transported him to Spalding Regional Hospital. A subsequent search of Jones vehicle was conducted as part of the investigation and found inside the vehicle was a bag that contained more than a half-pound of methamphetamine. Jones has recovered and is now in custody at the Spalding County Jail charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of methamphetamine. All indications are that this incident is also tied to fentanyl.
Investigators believe that the majority of distribution of these narcotics is tied to the “Ghost Face Gangsters” that have members operating in the Griffin Spalding County area. As this investigation continues we anticipate making additional arrests and charging Ghost Face members under the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act and any other violation of the law that we can charge them with. If you are a Ghost Face Gangster here in Spalding County we are coming for you. Stop or leave, or we will stop you and you will leave in the back seat of a Spalding County deputy’s car. Just like with any other gang thug, this is your only warning.
We are reaching out to the public about the fentanyl issue. We do not want to see anyone die because of their drug use. If you have a friend, family member or loved one that is a drug user we ask you to intervene and have a conversation with them about their drug abuse. Please urge them to get help and help them get help before they die from their habit. If you are a drug user, please get help. Go to your family, friends, churches, Doctors, or law enforcement agencies to get help. There are local resources available to you that will help you in your struggle with addiction. Please get help before you lose your life. This is your wake-up call and it may be the only one you get. If you choose to ignore these pleas and continue to use or distribute narcotics laced with fentanyl, we ask that you to make sure that you always carry identification. By carrying identification, we will be able to identify you, and notify your next of kin when your body is found. Some may view this as harsh, but the time for playing games and being soft about this issue are over. Some people that are dealing or using need a rude awakening especially since this issue is dealing with life or death. It is our hope that they take the opportunity given to them and save their own life.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

The Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) has filed formal charges against Griffin Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Robert M. “Mack” Crawford and is seeking to remove him from office.

According to the formal charges filed in the Supreme Court of Georgia, the JQC Investigative Panel conducted a full investigation of multiple complaints, considered Crawford’s responses both in person before the Panel and in writing and voted for the formal charges seeking Crawford’s removal from the bench to be filed.

“The acts of judicial misconduct giving rise to these Formal Charges stem from four separate complaints filed with the Commission. In the interest of judicial economy, these Formal Charges are based only on one of the complaints, the complaint regarding Judge Crawford’s most egregious misconduct: the theft from the registry of the Superior Court of Pike County. However, Judge Crawford has also generally violated the Georgia Code of Judicial Conduct (the “Code”) through a pattern and practice of failing to ‘dispose of all judicial matters fairly, promptly, and efficiently,’” the charge reads. “Judge Crawford routinely fails to schedule hearings, issue orders, and otherwise proceed with the business of resolving cases before him. This failure has resulted in a large backlog of cases, which have issues ripe for resolution, yet sit pending for years at a time waiting for Judge Crawford to take meaningful action.”

Four examples of Crawford’s alleged code violations were cited.

In Americani v. Demagnus, Crawford allegedly “failed to rule on an uncontested motion for summary judgment for over three years;” in Sherer v. Sherer, Crawford allegedly “failed to take any meaningful action to adjudicate this divorce case for over two years;” in Ingle v. Cotter, Crawford allegedly “failed to hold a hearing on a legitimation petition, which resulted in his entry of an illegal order, and then transferred the case to juvenile court to avoid dealing with the matter;” and State v. Mustafa Mahdi and State v. Thomas Zerbarini were cited as being “illustrative of Judge Crawford’s large backlog of criminal cases, many of which remain pending for years before final disposition.”

However, the formal charge being levied against Crawford is based on his alleged conversion of money from the registry of Pike County Superior Court.

The charge alleges Crawford ordered the Pike County Clerk to issue to him a check in the amount of $15,675.62, which he then reportedly cashed. He allegedly used some of those funds and deposited the remainder in his personal checking account.

The funds originated with a case in which Crawford represented clients seeking to redeem property following a tax sale. The $15,675.62 was deposited by the plaintiffs to pay the defendant – who had purchased the property at the tax sale – in the event the court ruled on their behalf.

However, that case was dismissed in 2009, and the money remained in the court’s registry until Crawford allegedly ordered the clerk to write the check to him.

“Judge Crawford at one point claimed that at least a part of this money was owed to him for his prior representation of the plaintiffs, that claim was false. The funds either belonged to his clients or were unclaimed property that should have gone to the Georgia Department of Revenue,” the complaint states. “Only after Judge Crawford became aware of this Commission’s and law enforcement’s investigation into the matter did he remit those funds to the DOR.”

A hearing will be held at a future date to determine if the charge against Crawford is merited and whether he will be removed from office.

STAFF REPORT :::

The Flint River Regional Library, in collaboration with Georgia Nature Photographers, is currently featuring a nature photography exhibit.

An independent judge selected 12 photographs from the Griffin chapter for each month to be displayed in August and September.

Georgia Nature Photographers Association (GNPA) is composed of a group of photographers passionate about capturing the natural world around us. GNPA is one of the largest photography clubs in the Southeast and is comprised of eight regional chapters throughout the state.

The Griffin chapter meets at 6:30 p.m. every third Tuesday in the Women’s Center on the first floor of WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital.

For additional information please visit http://www.gnpa.org and click on the Griffin chapter.

ANNA TAYLOR – SCTC :::

Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC), Spalding County and the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board have partnered to offer a Welding & Joining Technology certification program at the Spalding County Correctional Institute facility in Griffin. Last Friday, the first 7 inmates received their Basic Welding Techniques Certification at a graduation ceremony with their family and loved ones in attendance.

Through this program, students received 150 hours of training in the trades of gas metal arc welding and shielded metal arc welding. Once completed, the program culminates in an industry-recognized certification that will go with the graduate when they leave prison, and assist him in securing good, steady employment.

SCTC Instructor Chris Patterson started holding formalized classes in a portable classroom last fall, hoping his work with the inmates will “break the cycle” of recidivism, or repeated criminal behavior.

“We are doing our best to change the course of the future for these students. Not only will successful employment make a lasting impact on the student, we will see this carry over into their families and communities as well. It’s a great situation for all parties involved,” Patterson said.

Spalding County Correctional Institute Prison Warden Carl Humphrey said, “We have worked extremely hard to get this program up and running to be able to provide something more for these men. We established a make-it-happen team and our success is evident with these graduates.”

Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board is funding the program through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Several pieces of equipment, as well as the portable classroom in which inmates work, were donated by the Technical College System of Georgia.

“It’s a proven fact that the more educated you are, the less likely you are to re-offend or commit a crime,” Warden Humphrey continued. “When you look at some of these guys’ backgrounds, you can see that they have never been given opportunities to really improve themselves. We know that if they do not come back, then we did something right.”

SCTC’s Executive Vice President of Economic Development Dr. Mark Andrews said the program aligns with Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal’s emphasis on inmate re-entry.

“Gov. Deal has made criminal justice reform one of his priorities, and re-entry programs that prepare inmates for life after incarceration are an important part of that,” Andrews said. “We want to make sure Southern Crescent Technical College’s resources are being used to their full potential in support of this initiative.”

Andrews said SCTC modeled the program after other successful programs throughout the state adding, “This program has been a great success and we are already making plans to begin with our next group of students.”

Humphrey said the prison and SCTC are committed to continuing their efforts to offer education and training for prisoners and preparing them to productively settle back into society.

STAFF REPORT :::

The Spalding County Office of Homeland Security, in conjunction with the Spalding County Fire Department, will offer training to Spalding County citizens through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program.

This program is designed to promote understand and cooperation between emergency services and the people they serve. The CERT Program educates individuals on how to be prepared for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.

CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations for citizens who may be on their own during the initial moments of a disaster.

Knowing the right actions to take can make a difference. Through CERT training, citizens can learn to manage utilities and put out small fires; cope with the three life-threatening injuries by opening airways, controlling bleeding and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely; and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to maximize effectiveness.

The Spalding County Office of Homeland Security is seeking interested participants to participate in a six-week program scheduled to begin on September 10. Classes will be held weekly from 6 to 9 p.m.

A refresher course will also be offered to residents who previously completed the initial CERT program.

This course will assist in the support of the working relationships between emergency services and the people they serve. The refresher training will assist in enhancing the importance of an ongoing training program and the need for continual planning.

CERT refresher training classes are scheduled for three weeks to begin Sept. 10 and will be held weekly from 2 to 5 p.m.

Both CERT and CERT refresher classes will be held at the Fire and EMA Administrative Complex located at 1005 Memorial Drive.

Those interested in participating in these classes should contact the Spalding County Office of Homeland Security at 770.228.2129.

STAFF REPORT :::

The Griffin Police Department Special Investigations (SIU) and Criminal Apprehension and Gang Enforcement (CAGE) units conducted “Operation CARE-ington,” which resulted in numerous drug- and weapons-related arrests.

According to a press release, Operation CARE-ington resulted from numerous complaints of alleged drug activity in the 1700 block of Carrington Townhomes.

During the operation, 11 were arrested on narcotics possession charges. One additional suspect is being sought for distribution of cocaine.

Arrested were:

Jennifer Edgar, who is charged with possession of cocaine

Troy Edgar, who is charged with possession of methamphetamine

Antoinette Weems, who is charged with possession of marijuana less than one ounce

Ryan Higgins, who is charged with possession of marijuana less than one ounce

Destiny Collier, who is charged with possession of marijuana less than one ounce

Cordarius Curtis, who is charged with possession of marijuana less than one ounce

Andre Faulks, who is charged with possession of marijuana less than one ounce

Dana Ogle, who is charged with possession of cocaine and open container

Reba Odell, who is charged with possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana less than one ounce

Trevor Wall, who is charged with possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, possession of marijuana less than one ounce, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime

Jason Hayes, who is charged with possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, possession of marijuana less than one ounce, driving while license suspended and four counts of sale of marijuana

Officials say the focused operation was conducted to alleviate the narcotics activities and “take back” the area.

“These efforts are further evidence of the city of Griffin Police Department’s community partnership with our citizenry to reduce crime and improve the quality of life for all here in Griffin,” the release stated.

STAFF REPORT :::

The Griffin Police Department has determined a report of an attempted child abduction was false.

According to a press release issued by Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates, officers of the GPD Uniform Patrol Division responded to a call at approximately 3:37 p.m. Sept. 20, reporting an attempted child abduction had just occurred.

Officers responded to the scene and contacted the individual who reported the alleged incident to Spalding E911.

Officials say the callers photographed a tag on a vehicle at the scene and described the vehicle and driver as being the suspect in an attempted child abduction.

“This incident was immediately investigated to the fullest, utilizing manpower from not only the Griffin Police Department, but also from the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office (as the callers alluded to this suspect being the same as one previously sought by the Sheriff’s Department),” the release said.

A potential suspect was identified, and voluntarily submitted to questioning.

“After a thorough investigation by the Griffin Criminal Investigative Division, it was discovered that there had been no attempted abduction of a small child. The reporting party believed that the vehicle and suspect that they had witnessed at that location matched the description of the report on the news the previous night, but no other facts or circumstances supported the initial accusations,” the report said. “While reports such as these may begin with the best of intentions, reports are taken seriously by the Griffin Police Department, as well as other local law enforcement agencies and it is of the utmost importance that such reports are accurate and not embellished or, more seriously, created as a deliberate hoax. These actions by the reporting parties were unacceptable were a violation of law. The swearing of false statements are punishable by Georgia law O.C.G.A. 16-10-71 and false statements O.C.G.A. 16-10-20. The Griffin Police Department Criminal Investigative Division as well as the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office are currently investigating the possibility of other false reports of child abduction within the city and county. While both agencies appreciate the efforts of the public to assist it is important to give information that is accurate, based solely on the facts.”