STAFF REPORT :::

The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an incident of alleged child pornography that officials say was recorded by a student during school hours, and is now being circulated among students.

According to a press release issued by Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, his agency, in cooperation with the Griffin-Spalding County School System, became aware of this incident earlier Friday evening.

The pornographic video is of a 15-year-old student who Dix said is considered a victim due to circumstances uncovered during the investigation.

The video has been and continues to be shared, officials say.

Investigators have been conducting interviews and the victim’s parents have been made aware of the video’s existence.

“At this point our priority is protecting the victim and stopping the spread of this video. What happened is a crime. It is unlawful to record, posses, or distribute child pornography, and the student who made the video has been charged accordingly. Students who shared or possessed the video can also be charged,” Dix said. “These incidents can destroy young people’s lives and often drive some to harm themselves or commit suicide. What we are asking all parents to do is to get your student’s cellphone and check it. We are not asking you to turn your child in. Inspect the phone, search it, and if you find this video or any other pornographic content, delete it. Delete it from the cloud and empty the trash. We realize that the video may still be on the phone, we, just as you, know that it is never completely gone. Our first goal is to stop this video from spreading further. Speak to your child about this incident, even if you find nothing. Let them know the severity of this crime and the damage it can do to them and others. We will continue back tracking the shares of this video. Anyone we find in possession, or to have shared this video will face criminal prosecution.”

Dix also addressed those who may disagree with criminal charges being brought against those involved in this incident.

“Some may say, “Prosecution is too much-they’re just kids.” (sic) First of all, I think you would feel differently if it was your minor child being shared in a pornographic video on social media. If your “kid” is old enough to have a cellphone, and knowingly record or share pornographic material, they know what it is, and they are old enough to be held responsible for these heinous actions. After all, they didn’t record this kid just walking down a hall and share it did they? They knew what they were doing,” he said. “Parents, you need to understand, your child has no privacy right in their cellphone, it is provided to them. You can take it and search it. They have no say so in it. This should be done often and thoroughly to protect them and others. If they don’t like it, be a parent, not a friend. Take the phone and give it back to them when you are ready. If they don’t like it, they can hire an attorney and sue you. Tell them good luck. This is about as serious as it gets. The mental, emotional and physical damage that these incidents cause cannot be measured or erased. We will continue to work closely with school officials as this investigation continues.”

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

The city of Griffin (CoG) has reversed its previous position of refusing to produce public records pursuant to Open Records requests submitted by The GRIP.

The GRIP Publisher Sheila Mathews had been notified that responses to Open Records requests would not be forthcoming until $523.40 in alleged arrears for prior Open Records requests was paid in full.

According to Griffin Chief of Staff Jessica Whatley-O’Connor, “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.”
However, research conducted by The GRIP produced no legal opinion upholding the city’s refusal to release public records, and in fact, that position is contrary to the Open Records Act itself.

Due to the crucial role public records play in reporting, Mathews sought cooperation with this matter, offering to allow the Georgia Attorney General’s Office to mediate the issue if the city officials would agree to produce Open Records responses in the meantime, but Whatley-O’Connor declined.

An Open Records request to the CoG sought the Attorney General’s opinion cited by Whatley-O’Connor, but that request, along with numerous others, was ignored.

After an extended period of time, records are once again being produced and the CoG responded to the request for that legal opinion.

According to Teresa Watson, executive secretary to City Manager Kenny Smith, as well as a designated assistant Open Records officer, no responsive records existed.

“The opinion of Ms. Jennifer Colangelo referenced in your below email occurred during a verbal conversation with Ms. Jessica O’Connor via telephone. Therefore, no document exists and none is provided,” Watson wrote in the city’s official response.

An Open Records request seeking the legal opinion was submitted to the Georgia Attorney General’s Office.

Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Colangelo’s response contradicted the city’s position.

“I don’t know what the city is referring to when they say that our office has issued an opinion We have not issued any opinions on Open Records fees recently, nor would we normally issue an opinion directly to a local government,” Colangelo said.

This is not the first time the CoG has attempted to withhold production of public records.

In response to an April 11, 2018, Open Records request, 18 pages of documents were produced resulting in the assessment of a $1.80 fee.

While the Open Records Act (ORA) allows agencies to charge $0.10 per page for printed copies of records, these records were produced electronically by email. Based on that law, “In the case of electronic records, the agency may charge the actual cost of the media on which the records or data are produced.”

When asked to clarify the basis of this fee, Watson stated, “The charges are to print the pages so that we can scan them to send electronically, for which we incur a cost.”

She later elaborated, “The pages were provided and we scanned them. Our copiers, as I have explained before, charge per scan for emailing just as if it were a copy … thus, $.10 per copy.”

An Open Records request was submitted to review “any single document, contract or billing record that documents the costs incurred by the city of Griffin pertaining to copying and/or scanning documents.”

In response, Watson stated, “…please be advised there are no records responsive to your request…”

Mathews responded that because these records were produced electronically, the $0.10 per page fee is not permitted.

At that point, City Manager Kenny Smith became involved, writing in part, “The response was 18 pages at .10 per page. The $1.80 is due and payable. Future ORR will be held until the payment is received.”

When asked under what legal authority the CoG was denying Mathews access to information under the ORA, Smith claimed access was not being denied, later stating, “What I am saying now is that $1.80 is due for the previous request. It is my understanding that future request may be withheld pending payment of a previous request. I will confirm with legal tomorrow morning.”

The following day, Smith wrote, “The City Attorney has advised: Code Sec. 50-18-72(d): Whenever any person who has requested to inspect or copy a public record has not paid the cost for search, retrieval, redaction, or copying of such records when such charges have been lawfully incurred, an agency may require prepayment for compliance with all future requests for production of records from that person until the costs for the production of records have been paid or the dispute regarding payment resolved.”

Based on this expressed understanding of the Open Records Act, it is unclear why city officials soon after chose to deny all access to records based on the allegation of previous unpaid fees.

The assessment of that $1.80 fee was later the subject of a formal complaint for review by Colangelo, who heads the Attorney General’s division overseeing enforcement of the Open Records Act.

In response to that complaint, City Attorney Drew Whalen presented a different basis for the charge.

“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.”

However, The GRIP has obtained records indicating these same documents had already been produced to another requester prior to the submission of Mathews’ request – the redactions had already been made, and the documents saved as PDFs.

Furthermore, many of the pages produced were not subject to any redactions and had been originally saved in a digital format suitable for immediate dissemination.

This $1.80 fee is among the 11 totaling $523.40 for which the CoG is demanding payment.
Colangelo has not yet responded to that formal complaint.

Of the remaining 10 separate charges, eight are in excess of $25. Mathews contends those eight fees that combined total $491.20 are not owed due to the city’s noncompliance with the Open Records Act which states, “In any instance in which an agency shall seek costs in excess of $25.00 for responding to a request, the agency shall notify the requester within a reasonable amount of time not to exceed three business days and inform the requester of the estimate of the costs…”

The CoG failed to provide estimates pursuant to any of those eight requests, denying Mathews the legal right to approve the fees prior to production of the records as the Open Records Act requires.

Mathews also denies owing the final two fees – one for $9.90 and the second for $20.50.
In the case of the former, Watson has conceded the city does not have a request from Mathews seeking production of those records, yet payment for such is still being demanded.

“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,” Watson wrote in part before citing two Post-It notes allegedly left behind by a former CoG employee as the basis of the city’s demand for this payment.

In reference to the latter, despite possessing a receipt on which Watson wrote, “Paid in full,” the city maintains that fee must be paid again.

In addition to the denial of access to public records, the CoG has also threatened to take legal action against Mathews to collect the $523.40 in fees.

However, that action is also contrary to the Open Records Act, which specifies collection actions may only be enforced, “when such charges have been lawfully estimated and agreed to pursuant to this article.”

This standoff remains far from resolved and The GRIP will continue to report developments as they arise.

STAFF REPORT :::

Hurricane Michael has intensified and is expected to make landfall this week. Advance warning is the most powerful preparedness tool for this event and all severe weather.

Every family should have multiple methods for receiving severe weather alerts, including at least one with an audible alert to wake you in the middle of the night if necessary.

Georgia experiences an incredibly broad range of weather — everything from tornadoes to hurricanes with the occasional ice storm and earthquake activity. Learn more about protecting yourself in the face of severe weather and other emergencies. Keep this information with you all the time by downloading the Ready Georgia app. You can download the free Ready Georgia mobile app for weather alerts, traffic updates and preparedness information for people on the go.

Visit Ready Georgia’s website ready.ga.gov and create an online profile to receive a tailored plan for your family. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes.
Make a plan today.

Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find. Address the unique needs of pets, older loved ones and family members with special needs in your plan. Be sure to sign up with Civic Ready for your local alerts on http://www.spaldingcounty.com.

Be informed.

Get a ready kit and prepare a portable Ready kit in case you must evacuate.
Make a family communications plan.
Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify a hurricane.
A tropical storm/hurricane watch means sustained tropical storm (39 mph to 73 mph) / hurricane (74 mph and higher) force winds are possible within 48 hours. Be prepared to evacuate.
A tropical storm/hurricane warning means sustained tropical storm (39 mph to 73 mph) / hurricane (74 mph and higher) force winds are expected within 36 hours.
If local authorities advise you to evacuate, leave immediately.
Make an evacuation plan for your family.
Prepare to secure your property.
Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.
Keep all trees and shrubs well-trimmed to make them more wind-resistant.
If you have a car, fill the gas tank in case you have to evacuate.
Plan ahead for your pets. Shelters cannot accept pets due to health reasons, so it is important to find a pet-friendly hotel or make arrangements with family or friends in advance.

Prepare now.

Take an inventory of the items you need that rely on electricity.
Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines. Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life.
Plan for batteries and other alternatives to meet your needs when the power goes out.
Sign up for local alerts and warning systems. Monitor weather reports.
Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home. Determine whether your home phone will work in a power outage and how long battery backup will last.
Review the supplies that are available in case of a power outage. Have flashlights with extra batteries for every household member. Have enough nonperishable food and water.
Use a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so that you can know the temperature when the power is restored. Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher.
Keep mobile phones and other electric equipment charged and gas tanks full.

For additional information, please contact Spalding County Emergency Management at 770.228.2129.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

Despite complying with demands from the city of Griffin requiring prepayment of estimated charges for Open Records requests, public records are still not being produced within the parameters of the law.

The GRIP Publisher Sheila Mathews on Wednesday, Oct. 3, paid $107.33 in estimated charges for four such requests. Responsive records should have been produced no later than the beginning of the work day Tuesday, Oct. 9. Those records have not yet been produced.

The Georgia Open Records Act (ORA) requires agencies to produce records within three business days, however no response to the four prepaid requests has been received.

In response to a Friday inquiry regarding the city’s noncompliance, Teresa Watson, who serves as an assistant Open Records officer, stated, “I should have all four responses completed by 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15.”

The ORA further states, “In any instance where records are unavailable within three business days of receipt of the request, and responsive records exist, the agency shall, within such time period, provide the requester with a description of such records and a timeline for when the records will be available for inspection or copying and provide the responsive records or access thereto as soon as practicable.”

The city of Griffin also did not comply with the provision of the Open Records Act that mandates a description of records be provided.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

The Griffin Police Department is investigating an incident allegedly involving a Griffin High School student who reportedly was in possession of a pellet gun at school.

According to a letter issued by GHS Principal Dr.  Darrell Evans, the pellet gun was secured by administrators.

“It was reported that a student was in possession of a pellet gun. The object was secured by administrators and the student’s parents were notified,” Evans wrote. “This incident is being investigated by our school resource officer. GHS will follow the district’s disciplinary process according to board policy.”

Evans reiterated that students and staff were safe during this alleged incident, and that it resulted in “minimal interruption” to the school day.

The GRIP has reached out to Griffin Police Department Public Information Officer Capt. Mike Natale for comment and will report additional information as it becomes available.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

A Griffin High School student, 17-year-old Jeremy Lecompte, is in police custody after allegedly taking a weapon on school property.

According to Investigator Ryan Bynum, of the Griffin Police Department, Lecompte was taken into custody Thursday after a student reported the incident.

The student initially made a report to a teacher, who reported it to administration.

“One of the assistant principals was notified that a student had a gun, and I was then notified that a student supposedly had a gun in his bookbag,” Bynum said. “He (Lecompte) was separated from all the other students and placed in a classroom by himself.”

Bynum stated the student admitted possessing the weapon.

“He admitted he had something on him that he shouldn’t have. While I was checking him, I found a Daisy airsoft pistol on his person. I immediately removed the airsoft pistol from his person, and he was immediately placed in handcuffs,” Bynum said.

Lecompte has been charged with disrupting a public school – a misdemeanor – and carrying a weapon within a school safety zone – a felony.

The weapon Lecompte is accused of possessing was described as “CO2-powered pellet gun,” which Bynum said meets legal criteria for classification as a weapon.

“It looks real enough. It inflicts bodily harm. A pellet gun can break the skin and put a pellet in somebody,” he said. “It’s a weapon.”

STAFF REPORT :::

A two-month long investigation titled “Operation Say No More”, led by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit and Criminal Apprehension and Gang Enforcement Unit (C.A.G.E.), has resulted in multiple arrests for various felony drug, gang and related charges.

The target of the investigation was the source of deadly narcotics that are believed to have resulted in three Spalding County deaths.

Thursday morning, Spalding County Special Operations, C.A.G.E. Unit, Fugitive Apprehension, SWAT and Uniform Patrol, assisted by the GBI West Metro Narcotics Task Force, DEA HIDTA Groups 2 & 3, Georgia Department of Community Supervision, Tri-County Drug Task Force and the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, began executing arrest warrants and search warrants across Spalding County and spreading into surrounding counties.

“Once started, the investigation quickly spread outside of Spalding County, into the metro Atlanta area, South Carolina, Florida and as far north as West Virginia. Due to the locations that were determined to be the sources of the flow of narcotics into Spalding County we requested the assistance of Spalding County District Attorney Ben Coker’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s West Metro Narcotics Task Force, and Atlanta DEA HIDTA Group 2&3 to which the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office has Agents detached. To aid us in identifying and track down the sellers and distributors of the narcotics we requested an order to conduct a Title 3 investigation that allowed us to monitor phone calls and messages of those that we determined were the main targets of the operation,” said Sheriff Darrell Dix. “In total we have already obtained more than 100 arrest warrants and are in the process of obtaining additional warrants for a total of approximately 60 offenders who sell narcotics locally, supply narcotics to local dealers, and distribute narcotics in the metro Atlanta area. These offenders are facing charges ranging from unlawful use of telecommunications devices, trafficking and distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of heroin, possession of firearms during the commission of these crimes, violations of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act specifically targeting the Ghost Face Gangsters, and other related charges.”

Dix said Operation Say No More is considered a significant blow to the local narcotics distribution network.

“This is a big blow to the Spalding County area’s narcotics distribution network. We have seized trafficking amounts of methamphetamine, quantities of heroin, and firearms, that were all slated for distribution in Spalding County and the surrounding areas. This organization was responsible for the distribution of multiple kilos of methamphetamine and heroin on a weekly basis. The investigation started in Spalding County with our Special Operations Unit and spread. By contacting and teaming with other agencies in other jurisdictions we found out that some of our targets were known to them and the arrests would impact them as well. Through a cooperative effort we brought this multi kilo a week methamphetamine and heroin organization to an end. I also want to add that most of those we arrested today are repeat drug offenders, not just users,” Dix said. “As I have said before, if you sell narcotics, or are a gang member, you are a criminal. You have three choices. You can stop, you can leave Spalding County, or you can begin counting down your days of freedom because we are coming for you. If you don’t want to be harassed or arrested by us, quit being a criminal and you will be left alone. If you choose to be a criminal, thug, or gang member, you’ve made your choice so get used to seeing us on a regular basis. We are not backing down and we will do everything we can to make our county safer.”

A complete list of those arrested is forthcoming.

STAFF REPORT :::

A two-month long investigation – Operation Say No More – led by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit and Criminal Apprehension and Gang Enforcement Unit (C.A.G.E.), resulted in multiple arrests for various felony drug, gang and related charges.

The target of the investigation was the source of deadly narcotics that are believed to have resulted in three Spalding County deaths.

Thursday morning, Spalding County Special Operations, C.A.G.E. Unit, Fugitive Apprehension, SWAT Team and Uniform Patrol Division, with the assistance of the GBI West Metro Narcotics Task Force, DEA HIDTA Groups 2 and 3, Georgia Department of Community Supervision, Tri-County Drug Task Force and the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, executed arrest warrants and search warrants across Spalding and surrounding counties.

Arrested in connection to Operation Say No More were:

1. Marcus Kevin Pitts, age 42, of 131 N. 11th St., Griffin, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, abandonment of a dangerous drug. violation of the Georgia Racketeering Act, use of a communication facility to commit a felony, conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess heroin and violation of parole.
2. Amanda Andrews, age 24, of 776 N. Walkers Mill Rd. Griffin, was charged with sale methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, conspiracy to sale heroin, use of communication facility to commit a felony, violation of the Georgia Racketeering Act and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
3. Dylan Smith, age 25 of 1225 Seago Drive, Griffin, was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, use of a communication facility to commit a felony, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana less than one ounce, possession of drug related objects and violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act.
4. Shannon Middlebrooks , age 48 of 323 Elizabeth Lane, Griffin, was charged with conspiracy to possess Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (G.H.B), use of communication facility to commit a felony, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug related objects.
5. Brandy Hobbs, age 36, of 323 Irving Avenue, Griffin, was charged with conspiracy to possess methamphetamine and use of communication facility to commit a felony.
6. Michael Dickins, age 42, of 297 Dutchman Road, Griffin, was charged with conspiracy to possess methamphetamine and use of communication facility to commit a felony.
7. Kenneth Shope, age 39, of 8 Beaver Road, Griffin, was charged with conspiracy to possess methamphetamine, use of a communication facility to a felony, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug related objects.
8. Kimberly Martinez, age 50, of 365 N. McDonough Road, Griffin, was charged with conspiracy to possess methamphetamine and use of a communication facility to commit a felony.
9. Amber Thomas, age 27, of 1310 Zebulon Road, Griffin, was charged with conspiracy to possess methamphetamine, use of a communication facility to commit a felony, possession of marijuana and possession of drug related objects.
10. Melvin Folds, age 44, of 152 Teamon Road, Griffin, was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and use of a communication facility to commit a felony.
11. Tracy McMurray, age 51, of 381 Rehobeth Road, Griffin, was charged with conspiracy to possess methamphetamine and use of a communication facility to commit a felony.
12. Joe Minter, age 59, of 38 Cherokee Avenue, Griffin, was charged with conspiracy to possess methamphetamine, use of a communication facility to commit a felony, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug related objects and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
13. Jennie Waller, age 40, Homeless, was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, use of a communication facility to commit a felony, possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and possession of drug related objects.
14. Robert Woodfill, age 53, of 1777 Steele Road, Griffin, was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, use of a communication facility to commit a felony, possession of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
15. Glenn Farr, age 45, of 596 Dobbins Mill Road, Griffin, was charged with conspiracy to possess methamphetamine and use of a communication facility to commit a felony.
16. Quina Watkins, age 27, of 107 N. 15th St., Griffin, was charged with conspiracy to possess of methamphetamine, use of communication facility to commit a felony and possession of methamphetamine
17. Jennifer Villers, age 38, of 596 Dobbins Mill Road, Griffin, was charged with conspiracy to possess methamphetamine, use of a communication facility to commit a felony and possession of marijuana less than one ounce.
18. John Hobbs, age 64, of 207 Mobley St., Griffin, was charged with possession of methamphetamine.
19. Sam Akins, age 52, of 196 Hancock Road, Griffin, was charged with obstruction of a law enforcement officer, possession of drug related objects, possession of marijuana less than one ounce and possession of methamphetamine.
20. Raina Pitts, age 56, of 196 Hancock Road, Griffin, was charged with possession of a drug related objects.
21. Melvin McDay, age 31, of 38 Cherokee Avenue, Griffin, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug related objects.
22. Jennifer Gordy, age, 35 of 1225 Seago Drive, Griffin, was charged with violation of probation, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a schedule III narcotic, possession of drug related objects, possession of a schedule I narcotic and possession of marijuana less than one ounce.
23. David Collis, age 43, of 2729 Highway 109 Molena, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug related objects.
24. Patrica Love, age 37, of 355 Grove St., Barnesville, was charged with possession of a marijuana less than one ounce, possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
25. Timothy Scott, age 35, of 255 Grove St., Barnesville, was charged with possession of methamphetamine.
26. Joseph Drake, age 36, of 1680 Kinglet Road, Jonesboro, was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and use of a communication facility to commit a felony.
27. Patrick Douglas, age 41, of 2024 Tall Wood Place, Griffin, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug related objects and violation of the Georgia Street Gang Act.
28. Keyondrea Guider, age 29, of 125 Kayla Court, Griffin, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug related objects.
29. Ivey Dials, age 54, of 738 W. Polar St., Griffin, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, conspiracy to possess methamphetamine and use of a communication facility to commit a felony.

    Arrested in Banks County were:

30. Anthony James, of 1584 Marceau Drive, Conley, was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and possession of cocaine.
31. Patricia Pizarro, Address Unknown, was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and possession of cocaine.

This list represents the 32 suspects that have been arrested. Investigators have outstanding warrants and are now seeking an additional 29 suspects associated with the investigation.

Photo credit Jennifer Deal/Faceboon

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

The Griffin Police Department is searching for the family of a toddler who was located alone and unsupervised at the end of a Saturday afternoon fall festival.

Officials say the child, who authorities say is three-years-old, is in police custody as they search for his family.

The GRIP will continue to follow this developing story and report additional information as it becomes available.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

Spalding High School was briefly placed on lockdown Thursday morning as a precautionary measure, but authorities report there was no incident.

According to Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Captain Dwayne Jones, the lockdown was determined to have resulted from an equipment accident.

“The school was on a brief lockdown. All is clear now. No reported incidents, no injuries, nothing like that. One of the teacher’s radios accidentally was keyed – not by a student, but was keyed up – in the ROTC department, and that was broadcast over, and they just wanted to ensure that all was secure, but no reported incidents. It was just an accidental keying of the radio and everything is fine,” Jones said. “They were talking, and in the ROTC department, of course, they discuss military type topics, and there was some concern because they couldn’t determine who had the radio, so from a safety standpoint, they wanted to secure the school until they could determine where it was coming from.”

The lockdown has since been lifted.

STAFF REPORT :::

The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in a series of entering auto cases.

According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, deputies responded to multiple reports of vehicles that were entered during late October. Many of these incidents occurred in south Spalding.

A homeowner provided investigators with a video, which was posted on social media.

Investigators were also able to link a vehicle and a potential suspect to the incidents.

This led to the issuance of a search warrant for a 2017 Nissan Altima that was allegedly placed at the scene.

Authorities say multiple stolen items associated with reports in Spalding and Pike counties were recovered from the Nissan.

Officers of the Griffin Police Department also recovered two handguns that were reported stolen in earlier entering auto cases.

The Sheriff’s Office reports those firearms are being processed for fingerprints.

The suspect in these entering auto cases has been identified as 19-year-old Domon Chrishone Kendrick, who has been charged with nine counts of theft by receiving stolen property.

Kendrick was arrested and posted bond on eight initial charges. An additional warrant was obtained for theft by receiving, and Kendrick has since been apprehended by the SCSO Fugitive Apprehension Division.

“We would like to thank the Griffin Police Department and the Pike County Sheriff’s Office for their timely assistance,” Dix said. “Griffin PD officers actually recovered two of the weapons that were reported stolen. Pike County deputies were instrumental in assisting and working with our investigators in discussing incidents in Pike County.”
Officials say the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are possible.

STAFF REPORT :::

A Spalding County jury on Thursday convicted Lajayvayon Malek Johnson on numerous charges related to a violent home invasion.

Having been convicted of home invasion, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person under the age of 18, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, criminal trespass and theft by receiving a stolen handgun, Griffin Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Scott Ballard sentenced Johnson to life with the first 30 years to be served in prison. Upon his release from prison, Johnson will be banished from the circuit, which includes Spalding, Pike, Upson and Fayette counties.

Assistant District Attorneys Morgan Kendrick and Ashton Fallin prosecuted the case for the state.

According to the Spalding County District Attorney’s Office, Johnson was convicted of breaking a window and entering a home with two additional individuals. The three wore masks and were armed with a handgun.

A child of the homeowner was present and hid from the gunmen in a locked bathroom.

Officials say Johnson and co-defendant Dyquavious Deshun Zellner kicked in the bathroom door, pointed a handgun at the victim and then took a watch and iPhone before fleeing the residence.

Officers of the Griffin Police Department responded immediately and apprehended Johnson fleeing from the home.

The victim, along with law enforcement officers, testified at trial.

A second co-defendant has entered a guilty plea, and Zellner’s case will be tried at a later date.

“Thank you to the brave victim for her testimony, and to the members of the Griffin Police Department who responded quickly to the scene and thoroughly investigated this case,” said District Attorney Ben Coker. “Each member of my Circuit should feel that his or her home is his or her sanctuary. For this reason, my offices have aggressively prosecuted home invaders and armed robbers since I took office. Together, with law enforcement, we will continue to doggedly pursue those that threaten your homes. Thank you to Morgan, Ashton, and my entire Spalding office for fighting the fight this week.”

STAFF REPORT :::

Two arrests have been made in connection to a reported theft/burglary at 654 Jim Goodson Road.

According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, deputies first responded to that location at approximately 5:44 a.m. Nov. 17. Upon their arrival, they spoke with the property owner and located a large U-Haul truck that was stuck in the property’s soft ground.

The property owner reported several items missing including trailer hitches, hoses and sprayers.

The suspects also allegedly attempted to remove an all-terrain vehicle.

The Sheriff’s Office impounded the U-Haul for processing.

Deputies were dispatched to that location a second time on the afternoon of Nov. 18.

The homeowner reported the suspects had returned and he stated he was holding them at gunpoint.

Two suspects were taken into custody, but the homeowner advised two additional suspects had fled the scene.

Authorities say one of the two fleeing suspects was identified as Bobby Darrell Nicholson.

Arrested Nov. 18 were Chase Elwood Murdock and Tammy Rae McDuffie. Both have been charged with theft by receiving stolen property and are currently being held in the Spalding County Jail.

No bond has been set.

This investigation is active and ongoing, and additional arrests are expected.

STAFF REPORT :::

The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman who allegedly falsely reported being the victim of a drive by shooting.

According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, deputies responded to the report the morning of Nov. 18.

Officials say Hannah Amber Dawson reported she was driving in the area of North 9^th and Bleachery streets when an unknown person began firing upon her vehicle.

Dawson allegedly said she drove a short distance and abandoned her vehicle, then running to her Northside Drive residence where she notified law enforcement.

Her vehicle was located with what appeared to be possible gunshot damage.

Investigators and Crime Scene responded to interview Dawson and process the scene.

Authorities now say that during the course of that interview, Dawson admitted to having allowed a friend to drive her vehicle and subsequently lying about the circumstances of the alleged drive by incident.

Dawson was arrested and is being held in the Spalding County Jail pending a bond hearing.

The driver of the vehicle has been identified and is being sought for questioning.

No injuries were reported, and surrounding law enforcement agencies were notified.

The SCSO investigation is active and additional charges are possible.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

A wreck in the vicinity of Minter Road and North Expressway has resulted in at least one fatality.
According to Capt. Dwayne Jones, the investigation is active and ongoing.
The public is asked to avoid this area if possible, and to anticipate delays if not.
The GRIP will report additional information as it becomes available.

STAFF REPORT :::

The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect in the robberies of the Hot Spot gas station.
Investigators on Friday executed a search warrant on a room at the Super 8 Motel located on North Expressway. This warrant resulted in the arrest of 17-year-old Anna Caroline Halton.
Two males were also arrested.
Authorities say the investigation is active and ongoing.
The GRIP will report additional information as it becomes available.

STAFF REPORT :::

New details have emerged regarding the investigation that led to the arrest of two individuals in connection with two armed robberies of the North Expressway Exxon gas station formerly known as the Hot Spot.

According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, key physical evidence recovered after both incidents led to the suspects.

Following the first robbery Dec. 3, officials say the clerk reported an armed female had entered the business demanding cash, some of which was dropped in the area by the suspect and recovered as she fled south on Highway 19-41.

The business camera system captured the robbery and images of the suspect, who made no effort to cover her face, allowing clear images to be recorded.

Additional evidence including fingerprints and shoe prints also were collected.

Investigators used the print to identify the shoe allegedly worn by the suspect.

The store’s surveillance images were released, and the public was encouraged to be on the lookout for the suspect.

The second armed robbery occurred Dec. 7, with the report claiming the same woman had returned and robbed the business a second time.

Authorities say the store’s camera system recorded a tan Honda Accord driven by an African-American male in the parking lot. They say this man entered the business moment prior to the robbery, behaving as if he was in a hurry, but he did not make a purchase, and abruptly left the store.

Minutes later, the female suspect entered the store, brandished a firearm and demanded money from the clerk.

As in the first robbery, she then fled south on foot on Highway 19-41.

The surveillance footage confirmed the same suspect was involved in both incidents, and she was dressed in similar clothing during both armed robberies, including the shoes.

The Sheriff’s Office reports that while searching the area in which the suspect fled, Sgt. James Cape, of the Uniform Patrol Division, located a cell phone that matched the phone possessed by the suspect during the robbery.

The cellular service provider was identified and a search warrant on the phone was obtained, providing a name and other information related to the suspect.

This information led investigators to the Super 8 Motel located less than one mile from the Exxon gas station.

With assistance from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect’s name was confirmed and it was learned she had outstanding warrants from that neighboring law enforcement agency.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for the motel room and arrest warrants for the female that had been identified as Anna Caroline Halton.

Personnel of the SCSO Criminal Investigations, Special Operations and C.A.G.E. units surveilled the motel until the suspects were observed entering their room.

“Due to the fact that the suspect recklessly brandished a weapon in the both armed robberies, agents of the Special Operations Division forcibly entered the hotel room after they deployed a flashbang,” Dix said. “The suspects fled to the restroom where they stayed for approximately three minutes before complying with verbal commands and exiting. The male suspect, identified as George LeCoy Laster Jr, had the pistol on his person when he exited the bathroom. Both Halton and Laster were taken into custody without further incident.”

A search of the room revealed the clothing allegedly worn by Halton in both robberies, the shoes that matched the impressions taken by Crime Scene investigators and currency.

The weapon recovered from the person of LeCoy appeared to be the same weapon used in the robberies.

During her interview with investigators Halton admitted to committing both robberies and detailed how they occurred, officials said.

“At this point there is no reason to believe, nor is there any indication that the store clerk played any role in the robberies other than being the victim. Neither of these robberies are tied to the previous robberies at the Exxon or Marathon as all three of the suspects in those robberies were already in custody,” Dix said. “All of the Deputies, Investigators, Special Operations Agents and CAGE Unit Investigators that played a role from the initial response to the calls, locating and collecting vital evidence, obtaining search warrants for the phone and room, and taking the suspects into custody without incident, did an outstanding job in this investigation. We should all be proud of them and the work they do every day.”

Halton, age 17, has been charged with two counts of armed robbery, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and two counts of possession of a firearm by a minor.

George LeCoy Laster Jr., age 20, of Griffin has been charged with one count of armed robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit a felony.

Both are currently being held in the Spalding County Jail.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

Officials say two Friday night wrecks – including one that took the life of a Henry County man – were caused by alcohol.

According to Sgt. 1^st Class K.J. Searcy, the Georgia State Patrol-Griffin Post commander, both wrecks occurred about an hour apart.

The first was on North Expressway in the vicinity of Minter Road at approximately 5:30 p.m.

“An Acura RSX actually crossed the median, and when it crossed the median, it was struck by a Chevrolet Blazer. When the Blazer struck the Acura, the driver of the Acura was killed. After impact with the Acura, the Chevrolet Blazer was rear-ended by a tractor trailer,” Searcy said.

The driver of the Blazer, Kristen Gentry, of Griffin, sustained minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Atlanta Medical Center.

Joseph Lavon Degunion, age 52, of Hampton, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The GSP’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team also responded to the scene.

“Although the case was non-prosecutable, they did come out to assist,” Searcy said.

Asked if investigators were able to determine what may have caused Degunion to cross the median, Searcy said, “It does show that he was under the influence.”

The second wreck occurred at 6:35 p.m. on Zebulon Road.

“The wreck on Zebulon Road was a non-fatality, but unfortunately, it was a DUI,”Searcy stated. “A Honda Accord was traveling westbound on Zebulon Road near Wesley Ave. and the other two vehicles were traveling eastbound on Zebulon Road. The Honda actually traveled into the eastbound lane and struck the second vehicle (a Ford Ranger driven by Melissa Turner, of Griffin). After it struck the second vehicle, it continued to travel eastbound and struck the third vehicle (a Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by Derrick Smith, of Griffin).”

No one was seriously injured in this wreck, but two vehicles – the Accord and Trailblazer – were towed from the scene.

Willie Hightower, age 38, of Griffin, has been charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, no headlights, failure to maintain a lane and open container.

An arrest has been made in the Feb. 19, 2018, hit and run that killed 37-year-old Shaun Wright, seen here with his little boy. Photos courtesy of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office.

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

The GRIP has confirmed that an arrest has been made in the Feb. 19, 2018, hit and run that took the life of 37-year-old Shaun Wright.

According to information from the Georgia State Patrol, the driver has been identified as 34-year-old Marcus Allen.

Allen was arrested Dec. 10.

Wright was struck and killed while riding a bicycle on Old Atlanta Road.

Authorities say Allen struck the rear of Wright’s bicycle with the right front of his Dodge Caravan and then fled the scene.

Officials of the GSP have expressed appreciation to the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office and citizens for their efforts during the investigation.

STAFF REPORT :::

It’s that time of year again. The Griffin Firefighter Annual Toy Round-up has gotten off to a great start. Fire fighters are busy collecting toys through Dec. 16, at the three city fire stations:

Station 1 at 310 N. Hill St.
Station 2 (Headquarters) at 1420 Ellis Road
Station 3 at 101 Crescent Way

The theme of the Griffin Fire-Rescue toy drive – Children Giving to Children – encourages parents to demonstrate the joy of Christmas giving by making their donations a family event.

Families are encouraged to bring a camera to create a lasting memory of the fulfillment of the true meaning of Christmas.

Toys for boys and girls of all ages are needed and will be accepted daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Toys should be new and in the original packaging and should not be gift wrapped. Toys that cannot be used without adult supervision such as guns, darts and knives will not be accepted.

Monetary donations will be accepted and should be made in the form of a check. Please add “Toy Drive” to the memo line and make check payable to Griffin Fire-Rescue, 1420 Ellis Road, Griffin GA 30223.

Toys will not be distributed to individuals. All toys will be delivered to the Department of Family and Children Services and the Salvation Army on Dec. 17. Those who wish to receive toys must register there.

Business and organizations interested in contributing to the toy drive should contact Capt. Brandon Gates or Erin Blair at 770.229.6415.

For additional information about the city of Griffin, please visit www.cityofgriffin.com. Follow the city on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofgriffin and on Twitter at @CityofGriffin.