STAFF REPORT :::

Barring further restrictions or guidelines from Governor Brian Kemp, city of Griffin facilities will reopen to the public May 14.

Residents will be restricted to lobby areas and social distancing guidelines will be strictly enforced.

Drive-thru services, web-based applications and telephone calls should continue to be used to contact city staff and for most other services.

Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who is feeling unwell should not come into any facility.

Customer Service Department visitors will continue to enter through the parking garage entrance off Solomon Street and will be screened with temperature checks prior to entering.

The Hill Street entrance will remain closed.

Hand sanitizer will be available throughout buildings and visitors are encouraged to wear masks.

Only those requesting services should enter facilities. Family members and children should not accompany guests to city buildings.

City parks will remain open; however, no organized events will be scheduled in parks or pavilions until further notice.

Social distancing is also required in parks.

Officials say the health and safety of residents and staff are the top priority, so these measures will remain in place until further notice.

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STAFF REPORT :::

The NASCAR 2020 season will soon resume in Georgia with the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Originally scheduled to run March 15, NASCAR, the state of Georgia and Governor Brian Kemp worked with the sanctioning body and AMS to reschedule this race. With a race plan reviewed and approved by Kemp, live sports will return to Georgia at 3 p.m. June 7.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the race will take place without spectators in attendance as part of NASCAR’s effort to bring live competition back to a worldwide broadcast audience on FOX and PRN.

“I want to thank our partners with NASCAR and Atlanta Motor Speedway for adapting to protect public health throughout our fight with COVID-19,” Kemp said. “As we continue the measured process of reopening our state, I am confident in their plan to return to racing safely, and I’m excited to join with patrons across the country in celebrating the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 come June.”

NASCAR and AMS have developed a comprehensive plan to protect the health and safety of competitors, crew members and the broadcast crews that will produce the race. The plan includes limiting overall personnel, pre-event screening, social distancing on site, using personal protection equipment (PPE) and sanitizing areas of the facility before and during the race.

“I’d like to thank Governor Brian Kemp and every one of the state and local health officials that we’ve worked with to develop a plan to get back to racing,” said Hutchison. “When NASCAR comes to Atlanta Motor Speedway, the eyes of the entire sports world will be on Georgia for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500, and we intend to put on a great show.”

Also included on NASCAR’s revised race event schedule following the outlined plan and without spectators, the unique Atlanta doubleheader featuring the EchoPark 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race and the Vet Tix/Camping World 200 NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series race will be run June 6.

The twin bill begins at 1 p.m. on FS1 and MRN for the VetTix/Camping World 200 and concludes with the EchoPark 250 at 4:30 p.m. on FOX and PRN.

Fans who had tickets to the March 13-15 NASCAR weekend at AMS can obtain information on its current ticket policy at http://www.AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com.

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Photo courtesy of the Griffin Police Department

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

The Griffin Police Department, with assistance from the U.S. Marshal Service, on Friday morning executed a search warrant at 105 Forrestwood Drive, resulting in the arrest of 21-year-old Octavious Montrell Lyons in connection with Saturday, May 9 shooting death of a 12-year-old boy.

The victim in that shooting was playing on a trampoline when he was shot by his five-year-old brother. Authorities say the younger boy found the handgun, which he thought was a toy, after it was allegedly discarded during a foot pursuit involving GPD officers earlier that day.

Officials say the pursuit followed an attempted traffic stop that resulted in individuals reportedly fleeing behind houses in close proximity to the shooting.

Officers of the Uniform Patrol Division at the time of the pursuit located a bag of suspected MDMA, but the gun was not found.

Later Saturday night, investigators located the driver of the vehicle officers had earlier attempted to stop. According to Griffin Police Chief Mike Yates, the driver provided information that proved to be crucial to Lyons’ arrest.

“We began this investigation after that and went through a number of witnesses and a very intensive investigation to identify the person responsible for it,” Yates said during a Friday morning press conference. “At the conclusion of our investigative activities as of yesterday, we obtained warrants for methamphetamine possession, weapons possession and also Georgia Gang Act charges against Octavious Montrell Lyons, the 21-year-old that was responsible for abandoning this particular firearm.”

Investigators say the firearm was tracked through possession of multiple parties, but it was ultimately determined Lyons discarded the weapon during the foot pursuit.

Lyons faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, possession of MDMA, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, abandonment of a dangerous drug, reckless conduct and three counts of violating Georgia’s Criminal Street Gang Act.

Yates said numerous weapons, ammunition and drugs were located during the Friday morning search warrant and additional charges are likely.

Griffin Judicial Circuit Acting District Attorney Marie Broder said now that an arrest has been made, she intends to prosecute Lyons and seek justice for the young victim, his family and the community.

“As the Chief said, this act devastated not just a family, but a community. This child had so much promise, so much life to live and so much light and that light was extinguished. Now it is time for us to make sure that those that played a part in extinguishing that light are brought to justice,” Broder said. “In solving this case, we saw a community come together and work with us – my office, the Police Department and the community together. It shows you what teamwork can do. Now it is time for this fight to continue in the courtroom and rest assured, my office will continue to fight for this child. That is what we do during the prosecution of cases – fight – and we will fight for this child and all children in this community because no child should jump on a trampoline and fear they will be shot.”

Yates also addressed those involved in narcotic and gang activity in the city.

“I want to send a very clear message right now that the drug activity and the gang activity that gave rise to this, we are highly motivated to put an end to it and if you’re engaged in that kind of behavior here in Griffin, you’d better stop, you’d better go somewhere else or we’re going to do everything we can to send you to prison for the rest of your life,” he said.

Investigators say Lyons is a member of the Crips street gang.

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SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office – in a joint operation involving multiple cooperating law enforcement agencies – has arrested nearly two dozen people in connection to an alleged large-scale narcotics trafficking operation in Griffin.

According to Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, nearly three dozen additional suspects are also wanted in this case.

“We are going to obtain warrants for 33 other people We have identified 33 other offenders and over the next few weeks, we’ll be obtaining warrants for them,” Dix said in an exclusive interview with The GRIP. “That makes a total of 47. What we wanted to do, those were the people who were selling the most – distributing the most – so we went ahead and got them.”

The operation was months in the making, but kicked off in earnest in March, when the SCSO Special Operations and CAGE units began an investigation into cocaine distribution in Spalding County.

Authorities say the investigation targeted a Griffin man, Kyle Duffey, and his organization that operated out of the area of North 15^th and Hammock streets inside the city of Griffin.

Investigators soon determine several other jurisdictions were affected by this alleged narcotics distribution ring. As the SCSO investigation expanded, agents contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s West Metro Drug Unit and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit.

Arrest warrants for Kyle Duffey were ultimately obtained.

Investigators on March 28 followed Duffey to Meriwether County. Agents say he met a supplier in Woodbury, where he allegedly picked up cocaine ordered earlier that same day.

Agents followed Duffey back into Spalding County where SCSO Special Operations and CAGE unit personnel along with troopers of the Georgia State Patrol-Griffin Post conducted a traffic stop.

The Sheriff’s Office says Duffey did not immediately pull over, instead continuing to drive “a short distance” before stopping. While he continued driving, agents say Duffey tossed cocaine from his vehicle, which they recovered.

“It was about three ounces. It was more than three times the amount to be trafficking. It’s what he ordered; it’s what he picked up; and it’s what he threw out the window,” Dix said of the discarded drugs.

Duffey was taken into custody and transported to the Spalding County Jail where he continues to be held without bond.

As the investigation continued, on April 17, agents of the Henry County S.O. Narcotics Unit and SCSO Special Operations and CAGE units followed Clarence Murray and his wife, Felicia Murray, from their Henry County residence into Spalding County, where a traffic stop was conducted on their vehicle.

Arrest warrants had already been obtained for Clarence Murray’s on charges of sale of cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Upon searching his vehicle, agents reported locating a trafficking quantity of cocaine.

Both Clarence and Felicia Murray were arrested and transported to the Spalding County Jail.

Felicia Murray was released on bond last week, but Clarence Murray remains in custody.

“They were some of Duffey’s suppliers. Clarence Murray in particular was one of his suppliers,” Dix said.

Both Murrays face additional charges in Henry County based on additional narcotics, a firearm and cash reportedly seized upon the execution of a search warrant at their Henry County residence.

After the arrests of Duffey and Clarence and Felicia Murray, the GBI concluded its end of the narcotics operation with the execution of multiple search and arrest warrants in Meriwether County.

Those law enforcement actions involved the GBI West Metro Drug Unit, SCSO, Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office, Troup County Sheriff’s Office, Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, Upson County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force and LaGrange Police Department, leading to the arrest of three suspects related to distribution and trafficking of methamphetamine and cocaine.

The GBI reported seizing cocaine with an approximate street value of $10,000, methamphetamine with an approximate street value of $5,000, a quantity of marijuana, three firearms and approximately $40,000 in U.S. currency.

Nearly two weeks later, the SCSO Special Operations, CAGE and Fugitive Apprehension units, with assistance from the GBI West Metro Narcotics Unit, served search warrants at multiple residences that resulted in the arrests of 14 additional suspects.

“As of this moment between the agencies involved, 10 search warrants have been executed leading to the seizure of cocaine and methamphetamine. 11 vehicles and $69,874.00 in currency has also been seized pending the outcome of asset forfeiture proceedings,” Dix said. “This investigation is still active here and in other jurisdictions. Here locally, in the coming weeks the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations and CAGE Agents will be obtaining arrest warrants for 33 more now identified individuals. Their charges will range from possession of cocaine, conspiracy to possess cocaine, unlawful use of a telecommunications device, and violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act if we can show gang ties with any of these individuals.”

Dix later elaborated on the possibility of gang charges.

“We are still looking into that. We know that some of them are affiliated with gangs, but we have to be able to prove they were working on behalf of or in the furtherance of a gang. As we continue on, those are the kinds of things we’ll be able to hash out,” he explained.

Dix said this operation should send a message that his agency will go wherever needed to eradicate illegal narcotics in the community.

“This just goes to show that it doesn’t matter where it’s at. If it’s affecting Griffin and Spalding County, we are going to go there,” he said.

When asked to describe the affect this narcotics operation may have, Dix said, “I would say it is here locally quite a significant operation because of Kyle Duffey, because he has been a problem here in this community for quite a while. I want to say that I know he’s been arrested multiple times, but I believe he’s only served time once and it wasn’t a significant amount of time. It seems like he’s always had people take the rap for him, but in this case, that’s not going to happen. It is going to have a significant impact on our local cocaine trade.”

He said he is hopeful this case will result in Duffey’s long-term removal from the drug trade.

“Hopefully with what he is now facing he will stay caught for a while. In the months leading up to this investigation our main focus had been on methamphetamine distribution and gang activity in Spalding County. We shifted focus with this investigation to let our local cocaine dealers know that we haven’t forgotten about them,” Dix said. ““The investigation started here with the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office and ended up as a cooperative effort between the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Marie Broder and her staff, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s West Metro Drug Unit, Henry County Sheriff’s Office-Sheriff Keith McBrayer, Butts County Sheriff’s Office-Sheriff Gary Long, Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office-Sheriff Chuck Smith, Troup County Sheriff’s Office-Sheriff James Woodruff, Coweta County Sheriff’s Office-Sheriff Lenn Wood, Upson County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force, and LaGrange Police Department. All the Investigators, Agents, Deputies, and Officers involved in this investigation worked hard and did an outstanding job. Sharing information, working closely together, and bringing other agencies on board as the investigation progressed resulted in a bigger impact on cocaine and methamphetamine distribution in all of the jurisdictions involved.”

Thus far, arrests in this operation include:

Kyle Andra Duffey, age 41, who is charged with violating Georgia’s Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, conspiracy to traffic cocaine, conspiracy to sale cocaine, unlawful use of a telecommunications device, three counts of sale of cocaine, three counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, three counts of possession of cocaine, trafficking cocaine and abandonment of a dangerous drug;

Clarence Murray, age 46, who is charged with violating Georgia’s Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, unlawful use of a telecommunications device, trafficking cocaine, sale of cocaine, possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute;

Felicia Murray, age 46, who is charged with trafficking cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of cocaine;

Warren Horton, age 57, who is charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine and unlawful use of a telecommunications device;

Barbara Goodrum, age 62, who is charged with violating Georgia’s Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization Act and unlawful use of a telecommunications device;

Brent Jones, age 43, who is charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine and unlawful use of a telecommunications device;

Jerald Bolen, age 35, who is charged with violating Georgia’s Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization Act and unlawful use of a telecommunications device;

Willie Foster, age 61, who is charged with violating Georgia’s Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization Act and unlawful use of a telecommunications device;

Mary Harris, age 60, who is charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine and unlawful use of a telecommunications device;

Matthew Goins, age 31, who is charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine and unlawful use of a telecommunications device;

Larisma Milner, age 28, who is charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine and unlawful use of a telecommunications device;

Paula Parker, age 52, who is charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine and unlawful use of a telecommunications device;

Vincent Jones, age 50, who is charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine and unlawful use of a telecommunications device; and

Zachary Van Edwards, age 60, who is charged with party to the crime of trafficking cocaine and party to the crime of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

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STAFF REPORT :::

The Griffin Police Department is seeking two suspects in a Sunday night shooting that left one woman with serious injuries.

Officers responded at approximately 8:30 to a call reporting a person shot at 522 Hallyburton St.

The victim, identified as 51-year-old Virginia Sanchez, of 601 Hallyburton St., was initially transported to WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital before being transferred to Atlanta Medical Center.

The residence located at 408 N. 12^th St. was also struck by gunfire believed to be a stray bullet, but no one was injured at that location.

Investigators say the shooting resulted from a dispute over a stolen bicycle.

Arrest warrants have been obtained for 16-year-old Rasheed Shareef Redding, who is described only as a black male. He is being sought on charges of aggravated battery, five counts of aggravated assault, criminal trespass with damage to property, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of a firearm by a person under 18 years of age.

Also wanted is Michael Marquavious Jester, an 18-year-old male, who has been charged with aggravated battery, five counts of aggravated assault and criminal trespass with damage to property.

Anyone with information regarding the suspects’ whereabouts is asked to contact GPD Investigator Adam Trammel at 770.229.6450 extension 526 or Spalding County 911.

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Photo of suspect Rasheed Redding courtesy of the Griffin Police Department

Michael Jester’s booking photo courtesy of the Spalding County Sheriff;s Office

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

Michael Jester, a suspect in the Sunday night shooting that seriously wounded 51-year-old Virginia Sanchez, has been taken into custody.

Authorities say Sanchez was shot following a dispute over a stolen bicycle.

A second suspect, 16-year-old Rasheed Redding, is described as a black male who stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 110 pounds.

Redding, who officials say will be charged as an adult, is wanted on charges of aggravated battery, five counts of aggravated assault, criminal trespass with damage to property, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of a firearm by a person under 18 years of age.

Jester, age 18, has been charged with aggravated battery, five counts of aggravated assault and criminal trespass with damage to property.

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All support will be greatly appreciated, whether a small one-time donation or recurring monthly gift.
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Allen Glover booking photo courtesy of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

A Spalding County man is in jail facing felony charges for allegedly shooting a neighbor’s dog.

Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Phillip Ramsammy on May 9 responded to the home of 73-year-old Don Shepard, who reported his dog had been shot.

According to Shepard, an unknown man driving a white GMC pickup truck pulled up, exited his vehicle and shot Laser, the family’s German shepherd, three times, while shouting, “Maybe that will shut him up now.

Ramsammy reported recovering two spent 9mm shell casings outside a fenced area and a third along with bullet fragments inside the backyard fence.

“I was able to look at the dog and from my observation, the dog had been shot one time in the right side of the mouth and shot one time in the right side of the rib cage area,” Ramsammy said.

Laser survived the attack is recovering with his family.

Later that same night, Ramsammy received information leading him to 942 Fairview Road, Brooks, where he located a vehicle that matched the description Shepard provided.

“As I walked to the door to attempt to make contact with the home owner he opened the door and came outside on his own will. I asked him who he was and he stated his name was Allen Glover. I told him that we had come to see if he knew anything about the dog that was shot not too far from him house,” Ramsammy reported. “Allen stated that yes he was the one who shot that dog. I asked Allen why did he shoot the dog and he stated that he had complained numerous times to Mr. Shepard and that nothing was done about the situation and that the dogs barking was starting to mess with his head (sic all).”

Allen was immediately taken into custody and faces charges of felony cruelty to animals and misdemeanor charges of reckless conduct and criminal trespass.

SCSO Maj. Dwayne Jones said that while Laser’s injuries are regrettable, it is fortunate no one else was injured in the shooting incident.

“His conduct was reckless; he was shooting a firearm through a fence,” said SCSO Major Dwayne Jones. “I would think that due to the fact that he was shooting a firearm into a fenced in yard without practicing any safety measures and concerns at all, without any due regard. There could have been someone in the back – there could have been someone in the yard, a child could have been playing or an adult could have been walking around. We’re very sad, of course, that the dog was injured, but we’re very fortunate that no one else was injured beyond the dog.”

Glover has been released on bond from the Spalding County Jail but may soon find himself back behind bars in a separate case.

“He’s got pending charges in Fayette for terroristic threats and harassing phone calls. He was on bond for that when this happened, so we’ve applied to have his bond revoked on the previous Fayette County charges. That hearing is scheduled for May 26 before Judge Chris Edwards in Fayette,” said Griffin Judicial Circuit Senior Assistant District Attorney David Studdard, who said the Fayette County case involved “completely different folks with no connection whatsoever.”

The two criminal cases against Glover are unrelated, but both involve allegations of violence or threats of violence, Studdard said.

“I know that the threats that he was making in Fayette were not at all what he actually did in Spalding,” he said. “It’s not like he was threatening in Fayette to shoot someone or someone’s dog. He threatened an act of violence against someone he knew. It wasn’t a stranger-on-stranger thing.”

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Photo courtesy of the Griffin Police Department

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

Rasheed Redding, the 16-year-old suspect in the Sunday night shooting on Hallyburton Street, has been taken into custody by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office.

According to Maj. Dwayne Jones, a warrant was served, and Redding was arrested by agents of the SCSO Criminal Apprehension and Gang Enforcement (CAGE) Unit.

He has been transported to the Griffin Police Department.

Griffin Police Department investigators have obtained warrants against Redding on charges of aggravated battery, five counts of aggravated assault, criminal trespass with damage to property, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of a firearm by a person under 18 years of age.

A second suspect, 18-year-old Michael Marquavious Jester, was arrested Monday. He is charged with aggravated battery, five counts of aggravated assault and criminal trespassing with damage to property.

The GPD alleges the shooting resulted from a dispute over a stolen bicycle.

Wounded in the incident was 51-year-old Virginia Sanchez, who was transported to Atlanta Medical Center with serious injuries.

Prosecutors intend to try Redding as an adult.

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STAFF REPORT :::

A Fayetteville woman has plead guilty in Federal Court to selling unregistered pesticides on eBay as protection against COVID-19.

According to a press release issued by the Office of U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak, Rong Sun, who sold an unregistered pesticide as protection against viruses such as COVID-19, has pleaded guilty to violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

“We will act quickly and decisively to protect the health of our community,” Pak said. “As Georgia and the country battle a global pandemic, we need safe and effective treatments, not ones that threaten the health of our citizens.”

“Registration under FIFRA helps ensure that pesticides sold in the U.S. work and are safe for humans. The trafficking in snake-oil remedies outside of FIFRA is a criminal act and anyone who does so, especially during this pandemic, will find federal law enforcement ready to stop them,” said Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The U.S. Department of Justice will not stand by while criminal conduct risks people’s health and safety.”

“This case shows that consumers need to be cautious of products that make unsubstantiated claims of controlling viruses,” said Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Susan Bodine.  “EPA and our law enforcement partners continue to work to stop the sale of these illegal products.  Consumers can help protect themselves by visiting epa.gov/coronavirus for a list of approved products.”

“Playing on people’s fears during this pandemic by offering false hope and the empty promise of protection is not only dangerous, it’s also reprehensible and illegal,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “HSI and its partners are working diligently to investigate and arrest those criminals that are trying to take advantage of Americans during this pandemic.”

“A large part of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service mission is to ensure public trust in the mail,” said Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Atlanta Division. “When individuals challenge that mission, Postal Inspectors will aggressively investigate those seeking to deceive during this crisis for their own financial gain.”

According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: The defendant sold an unregistered pesticide, Toamit Virus Shut Out, through eBay, claiming that it would help protect individuals from viruses.  The pesticide was marketed as “Virus Shut Out” and “Stop The Virus.”  The eBay listing depicted the removal of viruses by wearing the “Virus Shut Out” and “Stop The Virus” product.  Additionally, the listing stated that “its main ingredient is ClO2, which is a new generation of widely effective and powerful fungicide recognized internationally at present. Bacteria and viruses can be lifted up within one meter of the wearer’s body, just like a portable air cleaner with its own protective cover.”  It also stated that “In extraordinary times, access to public places and confined spaces will be protected by one more layer and have one more layer of safety protection effect, thus reducing the risks and probability of infection and transmission.”

The listing further claimed that Toamit is “Office and home essentials during viral infections reduce transmission risk by 90%.”

Under FIFRA, the EPA regulates the production, sale, distribution and use of pesticides in the United States.  A pesticide is any substance intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest.  The term “pest” includes viruses.  Pesticides are required to be registered with the EPA. Toamit Virus Shut Out was not registered and it is illegal to distribute or sell unregistered pesticides.  Sun imported the pesticide from Japan and later sold it to individuals around the United States.

The EPA has taken steps to block the importation and sale of Toamit Virus Shut Out in the United States:  https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-administrator-wheeler-talks-retailers-and-third-party-marketplace-platforms-discuss and https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/us-epa-acts-protect-public-unregistered-virus-shut-out-product-imported-honolulu-and.

The charges carry penalties of up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.  In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.

Sentencing for Rong Sun, a/k/a Vicky Sun, 34, of Fayetteville, Georgia, is set for June 29, 2020 at 10:00 a.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge John K. Larkins III.

This case is being investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency-Criminal Investigation Division, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Huber, Deputy Chief Complex Frauds, and Senior Counsel Krishna Dighe of the Environmental Crimes Section of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Georgia’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fraud Task Force, aimed at better protecting the citizens of Georgia from criminal fraud arising from the pandemic. Formed by Georgia’s leading state and federal prosecutors, the task force serves to open channels of communication between partner agencies and more rapidly share information about COVID-19 fraud, while ensuring each fraud complaint is reported to the appropriate prosecuting agency. The task force member agencies include the Office of the Governor of Georgia, the Office of the Attorney General of Georgia, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia. Georgia’s three U.S. Attorneys, the Attorney General of Georgia, and the Executive Counsel for the Governor’s Office serve on the task force. If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866.720.5721 or via email at www.justice.gov/DisasterComplaintForm.

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SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

A permit has been granted for a protest to be held in downtown Griffin Sunday evening.
According to city of Griffin Mayor Doug Hollberg, the protest will be held in the Solomon Street Park greenspace beginning at 5 p.m.

“Organizers met with city staff. They’ve asked for permission. They’ve been granted the permit to organize, so we’re prepared for it and aware of it,” Hollberg said. “City staff was reassured it will be civil.”

Asked if the Griffin Police Department will have additional personnel on hand, Hollberg said, “I’ve been reassured that everything is in order and the Griffin Police Department is prepared for whatever action takes place.”

Organizers originally requested to use the facilities at The Park at 6^th, but that is a county facility. City officials offered the Solomon Street Park greenspace as an alternative.

“The authorization time is from 5 to 6:30,” Hollberg said.

A separate permit has been granted for a prayer vigil to be held Sunday evening at 7 p.m. in Third Ward Park.

“Whether it’s locally or nationally, I think all citizens are disgusted by what happened in Minnesota. We all have to stand together as one community to make sure that all citizens’ rights are protected and also allow folks to congregate to express their civil rights and to gather peacefully,” Hollberg said. “I encourage all folks to pray for our community as well as our country. It’s about One Griffin.”

The GRIP sought an interview with Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates, but he declined to be interviewed and maintained his stance requiring this publication’s questions be submitted by email.

The GRIP Publisher Sheila Mathews responded by stating, “No, thank you. This is a serious time and calls for direct contact, not back and forth emails that will delay the release of information. I’ll check in with the mayor and other city officials who don’t seek to obstruct the press.”

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SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

Marie G. Broder was sworn in today as district attorney of the Griffin Judicial Circuit.

Broder’s husband held the bible and her little girl looked on during the Wednesday morning ceremony at the Georgia Capitol as Governor Brian Kemp swore her into office.

“I am very honored to appoint you to be the next District Attorney. I have heard great things from your local community of the work you have done,” Kemp said. “I appreciate all you have done to serve as the District Attorney of the Griffin Judicial Circuit.”

Broder said she is humbled and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community she calls home.

“I am honored to be the district attorney in this circuit. This is my home and my hometown, and I will fight with everything in me to make sure the people of this circuit continue to feel safe,” she said. “The interesting thing about being the district attorney of the Griffin Judicial Circuit is that the counties are very different in their needs and challenges and I am uniquely qualified to understand that. I’m from Upson, I live in Griffin now and I’ve lived in Fayette for several years before moving to Griffin, so I understand the difference in the counties, but I also understand they each bring some wonderful things to the table.”

Broder said she intends to continue to fight against the detriment wrought by criminal street gangs while also focusing on violent crime and further increasing the support available to crime victims.

“Obviously, my focus in my career has fallen to protect victims of violent crimes, particularly women and children. That’s still a big problem in this circuit and I want to continue to concentrate on those issues,” she said. “I would like for our office to be more victim focused. I think they sometimes get lost in the process and I really want to make them a focus of our attention. Victims get lost in the shuffle of the justice system and I want them to know the DA’s office is here for them and will fight for them.”

Broder earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and her law degree from the UGA College of Law. She has served as an assistant district attorney and chief assistant district attorney.

She has been the circuit’s acting district attorney since being appointed by Kemp in February. Broder is the first woman to serve as district attorney of the Griffin Judicial Circuit.

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STAFF REPORT :::

A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the theft of 42 firearms stolen during the protests and looting in the Atlanta area.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, are offering the reward – up to $5,000 from the ATF which will be matched by the NSSF.

The theft resulted in 42 weapons being stolen at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, May 30, from Chuck’s Firearms Inc., located at 761A Miami Circle in Atlanta.

“We take this crime very seriously,” said ATF Atlanta Field Division Special Agent in Charge Arthur Peralta. “Firearms trafficking is a serious offense that results in significant federal prison time for the person or persons responsible.”

According to a press release issued by the ATF, the reward is part of a larger national cooperative initiative between the NSSF and ATF in which NSSF matches ATF rewards in cases involving the theft of firearms from federally licenses firearms retailers. The ATF works closely with members of the firearms industry to curb the criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the ATF at 800.ATF.TIPS (800.283.8477), by email at ATFTips@atf.gov or through its website at http://www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips.

Tips may be submitted anonymously using the Reportit app or by visiting www.reportit.com.

The ATF is the lead federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in violent crimes involving firearms and regulation of the firearms industry. For additional information, please visit www.atf.gov.

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The news you find in The GRIP is free for all. You’ll never be hindered by a paywall or limited to only a few articles each month. That’s because knowledge CANNOT be a commodity available only to those with the ability to purchase it.
While the news will always be free for all, it is far from free to produce. That’s why The GRIP needs your support.
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STAFF REPORT :::

The Georgia Information and Analysis Sharing Center has conducted a preliminary analysis of data regarding protest-related arrests in Fulton County from May 29 through June 1 that revealed more than 15 percent – 57 of the 370 arrested – were from out-of-state, five were homeless and the majority – 294 – were Georgia residents.

Some of the arrested are still being affirmatively identified, and authorities say they may have provided false information upon arrest.

The GBI said most of the individuals arrested did not have any prior criminal history. However, there were numerous – more than 30 – instances in which a person arrested had what the GBI described as a “significant criminal history including charges that could be consistent with prior involvement in violent civil unrest.”

One example is a Florida man – a convicted felon – who the GBI says had multiple charges of obstruction, trespassing and assault charges out of Missouri near the time of the Ferguson civil unrest. This Florida resident was arrested in Atlanta and live-streamed his post-arrest detainment to social media while handcuffed with the Atlanta Police Department.

Another instance involved a 34-year-old man from Minnesota arrested in Atlanta. Agents are now working to confirm if he was involved in the Minneapolis riots prior to his travel to Georgia.

At least ten arrestees were bonded out by one out-of-state individual, which the GBI says suggests coordination and outside influence.

Of those arrested in Atlanta and Fulton County, authorities say the most common criminal history charges among those arrested included willful obstruction, terroristic threats and acts, providing a false name or date of birth to a law enforcement officer and aggravated assault.

Multiple arrestees had active warrants at the time of their arrest. The youngest person arrested was 17 and the oldest was 69, with the average age being 24.

In addition to Georgia residents, arrestees came from Alabama, Missouri, Minnesota, Arkansas, North Carolina, Maryland, California, New Jersey, Michigan, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Florida, New York, Virginia, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Kansas and South Carolina.

This GBI-GISAC analysis is preliminary and based off arrest data currently available. It is expected to change as additional arrest logs from the Atlanta Police Department and other law enforcement agencies are submitted.’

The GBI-GISAC is coordinating with federal law enforcement as well as multiple states across the region to deconflict arrest data and link associations for individuals who traveled to multiple states for violent engagement.

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Suspect photo courtesy of the Pike County Sheriff’s Office

STAFF REPORT :::

An escaped prisoner from Chambers County, Ala., has been apprehended in Pike County.
Authorities say Daniel Noon was in custody for burglary and violation of a child support order when he escaped Friday morning.

According to the office of Pike County Sheriff Jimmy Thomas, Noon allegedly stole a tractor trailer after escaping and was later tracked to Pike County.

The tractor trailer was recovered in Spalding County at the Ingles located at 1735 Zebulon Road.

Noon was apprehended at approximately 1 p.m. on Midway Road. Officials say he initially provided false information to deputies but was identified as the wanted suspect.

He is currently in the Pike County Jail awaiting extradition to Alabama where he will face additional charges of escape and motor vehicle theft.

Please consider financially supporting The GRIP.
The news you find in The GRIP is free for all. You’ll never be hindered by a paywall or limited to only a few articles each month. That’s because knowledge CANNOT be a commodity available only to those with the ability to purchase it.
While the news will always be free for all, it is far from free to produce. That’s why The GRIP needs your support.
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Thank you!

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

Two memorials in Griffin – one in Veteran’s Memorial Park and the second in the old Confederate Cemetery – were vandalized overnight Friday.

Both were damaged with red spray paint with phrases including “F*CK THE POLICE,” “PEOPLE OVER PROPERTY” and “BLM.”

Griffin Police Department Public Information Officer Lt. Daniel Jett said the damage was limited to those locations.

“There’s one there (Veteran’s Memorial Park) and one in the old Confederate Veteran’s Cemetery which is right beside it, right beside the veteran’s park,” he said. “As far as I know, it was only two.”

Jett said the vandalism would likely be charged as a misdemeanor.

“It would more than likely fall under criminal trespass, so it would probably be a misdemeanor because a misdemeanor is anything less than $500,” he said. “At this time it’s under investigation. That’s all we really have at this time.”

He said he is unaware of any organized protests in recent days.

Officials say they are not aware of any further damage to any other memorials, and that no grave markers in Oak Hill Cemetery were damaged.

Griffin-Spalding Military Affairs Committee Vice-Chairman Dick Morrow denounced the vandalism.

“Desecrating war memorials honoring the men and women, black and white, who died in wartime service to our country is despicable. I have contempt for anyone doing such vandalism,” he said.

City of Griffin Mayor Doug Hollberg said he is seeking avenues to bring people together.

“I mean, it’s criminal damage to property whether it’s monuments, businesses or people’s lives,” he said. “There’s got to be a way to react that’s nonviolent, that brings healing and unity at the same time. As a city and state and country, we’re all trying to find the right path to be just and humane to all citizens.

Concerned residents have already turned out to attempt to clean the paint from the memorials.

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SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

Personnel of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office is on hand in Fayette County should assistance be needed during today’s planned protest.

Sheriff Darrell Dix said he received the request from Fayette County Sheriff Barry Babb.

“I don’t think I would call it a mutual aid response because that kind of gives you the idea something bad has happened. What has happened is that Sheriff Babb has asked us to come over. They have a protest going on with over 2,000 people. There has been no violence. There have been no incidents or anything like that. It’s just a large crowd and we’re going to be in the area if needed, but we don’t anticipate anything going wrong,” Dix said. “We will be in the area standing by if needed.”

The GRIP reached out to Dix Saturday afternoon after receiving a report of possible skirmishes in Fayette County, but he denied that account.

He said he has communicated today with Babb during the protests, and he reported all was well.

“I have been in contact with Sheriff Babb and he has not said anything of any incidents over there. He has not said anything. We are not running lights and sirens over there. We are just going over there to be of assistance if needed,” Dix explained.

Dix said Babb’s request was extended to agencies in addition to Spalding County.

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Thank you!

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

The GRIP has confirmed that Lt. Josh Pitts, of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division, has not been arrested.

After being contacted by numerous individuals seeking information on this issue, The GRIP contacted Sheriff Darrell Dix.

“Josh Pitts has not been arrested. There was a complaint filed against him and there is an investigation going on, but he has not been arrested,” Dix stated. “There was a complaint filed against him and there’s an investigation going on, but he has not been arrested.”

Dix said he could not elaborate on the complaint against Pitts, but did confirm it pertained to his official capacity.

“All I can say is that after receiving a complaint, I contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is currently investigating it,” Dix said. “This story started circulating about a week ago and I responded to it on social media. The accusation is that Josh Pitts had been arrested. He has not been arrested. He has not been charged with anything. There is an investigation being conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and that’s it.”

Pitts is on paid administrative leave.

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STAFF REPORT :::

A Griffin man has been arrested and is facing charges related to firing shots at Spalding County deputies.

According to a press release issued by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred at approximately 11:43 p.m. Tuesday when deputies responded to a domestic call at 116 King Richard Drive.

Authorities say that as Deputy James Prue and Deputies James Dildy approached that address, they located the suspect, later identified as James Hobbs, standing in a nearby yard.

“The Deputies were riding together and when they saw Hobbs they stopped their vehicle to make contact with him. As they exited, and before they could even speak to him, Hobbs produced a handgun and fired a shot striking their patrol car. Both Deputies took positions of cover outside of the patrol car as Hobbs fired a second round at them, again striking their car. Both Prue and Dildy immediately returned fire at Hobbs. He then ran into the woods and disappeared from sight,” said Sheriff Darrell Dix. “The Deputies called for help and a perimeter was set up around the incident scene and wooded area where Hobbs had fled, and at this point we did not know if Hobbs had been struck by the rounds fired at him. Deputies were standing by at their perimeter posts and others were gearing up for a search when Hobbs appeared and exited the wood line on Westmoreland Road. He immediately laid down on the ground and surrendered.”

The weapon Hobbs allegedly used to fire upon the deputies was recovered near the original scene where the shots were fired, officials say.

“At the time of this incident Hobbs was out on a conditional bond for a Family Violence offense, and the residence we were responding to was the location he was restricted from being at by the bond,” Dix said. “We are in the process of obtaining warrants now, and a list of Hobbs’s charges will be made available as soon as they are known.”

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SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

The Griffin Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying individuals captured on surveillance footage in Griffin’s Veteran’s Memorial Park the night two war memorials were vandalized.

The video was recorded in the area where one of the memorials is located.

When asked if these two individuals are considered suspects, GPD Chief Mike Yates said, “I would call them suspects.”

On the basis of investigative purposes, Yates declined to say whether the surveillance footage captured the vandalism in progress.

“The photos do come from a lengthy video that we are not releasing at this time,” he said.

The memorials – one in Veteran’s Memorial Park and the second in the  Confederate Cemetery – were damaged overnight Saturday with red spray-painted phrases including “F*CK THE POLICE,” “PEOPLE OVER PROPERTY” and “BLM.”

Griffin Police Department Public Information Officer Lt. Daniel Jett said the damage was limited to those locations.

A number of concerned residents turned out Sunday to clean the paint from the memorials.

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SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

Rumors speculating that an Antifa protest will occur this Friday in Griffin cannot be substantiated by local officials.

“I have no information that I could substantiate that would indicate they are,” said Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates.

Asked how he would address citizen concerns regarding the Antifa rumors, Yates said, “Right now, they’re only rumors so they have to make their own decisions about what they choose to do. We have yet to see a request for a permit.”

Facebook posts attributed to the account of Griffin resident Ray Harps-Muhammad have promoted a protest – the #100 Fearless Black Lives Matters Protest for Justice march – which is slated for 4 p.m. Friday.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Yates said he is unaware of a request seeking a permit for that event.

“No, he has not. Unless he’s done it today and I’m not aware of it. Usually I have to sign off on those things and I haven’t heard anything from anybody,” Yates said. “Right now, it’s all speculation and other than what you hear through the rumor mill and Facebook. No official actions have been taken other than the preparation we would make just in case.”

He said the Griffin Police Department is prepared should plans for the march move forward.

“We’ll handle it the same way that we handled the protest the other day,” Yates said.

He explained that under the city of Griffin ordinance, a permit is not required if less than 30 people will be involved and that permits should be issued five days in advance of a scheduled event. However, the city manager has the authority to make an exception 24 hours in advance, he said.

City Manager Kenny Smith later confirmed that as of the close of business Tuesday, no permit had been sought.

“We certainly don’t anticipate any problems. Antifa – I don’t even know what that means. I don’t know where that (rumor) even came from,” Smith said. “If somebody has a protest downtown, whether spontaneous or planned, we’ll be prepared.”
As for the march promoted by Ray Harps-Muhammed, Smith said he is acquainted and on a first-name basis with this resident who has participated in the city of Griffin Citizen’s Government Academy and the Griffin Police Department’s Citizen’s Police Academy.

“If he leads some type of peaceful protest, I certainly wouldn’t expect anything but a peaceful protest,” Smith said. “I wouldn’t expect anything out of the ordinary from him.”

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Your support will enable The GRIP to continue to provide relevant news in your community and beyond. It’s quick and painless. Just click this link: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16902623
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