ANOTHER GREAT WEEK! 2 MORE SEXUAL PREDATORS OFF THE STREETS!

Two South GA men convicted on sex charges

Friday, May 18th 2018, 2:52 pm EDTFriday, May 18th 2018, 2:54 pm EDTBy Dave Miller, Digital Executive Producer

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(Source: Decatur Co. Sheriff)

BAINBRIDGE, GA (WALB) -

Two Decatur County men are headed to prison for a long time, after they were convicted on numerous sex charges this week in Bainbridge.

Jamie Hahn was charged and indicted on five counts of child molestation.  After a two-day trial, the jury found Hahn guilty of all counts. Superior Court Judge Frank Horkan sentenced Hahn to 40 years, 35 to serve in the state penitentiary. 

The case was investigated by Inv. Redell Walton with the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office and tried by Senior Assistant District Attorney David Atwell.   

Richard Dixon was charged with 11 counts of Aggravated Child Molestation, Aggravated Sexual Battery, and Child Molestation. After a three-day trial, the jury found the defendant guilty of all counts. 

Judge J. Kevin Chason sentenced Dixon to Life in the State Penitentiary, and he must serve at least 25 years before he is eligible for parole.

The case was investigated by Robert Humphrey of the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Mike Bankston. 

"Both of these defendants effectively will spend the rest of their lives in prison," said South Georgia District Attorney Joe Mulholland.  "Given their vile and reprehensible acts against children of our community, this is the best place for them, behind bars, where they can no longer be a threat to any other innocent victims.  Unfortunately, there is little evidence that child predators can be rehabilitated, so I am happy our office along with the Court and law enforcement removed their ability to act on their sexual perversions."

Successful May Decatur Term

Decatur County Grand Jury Returns 40 True Bills of Indictment

By Dustin Dowdy | May 11, 2018

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PRESS RELEASE

Grand Jury May Term

            May 7th the Grand Jury convened in Decatur County.  After hearing the cases presented by District Attorney Joe Mulholland, the Grand Jury returned just over 40 True Bills of Indictment and less than 6 No Bills of Indictment, and 1 case was continued for the term.  Two cases of significance were True Billed.  Aanija Burke was indicted for Burglary, Possession of Tools for the Commission of a Crime, and Home Invasion.  Burke is alleged to have broken into a home with a BB gun which appeared to be a real handgun while the occupant was watching her grandchild.  “The defendant not only put this poor family at risk but himself also.  Your home is your castle and the defendant terrorized the poor occupants.  We will be taking a hard stance on this matter as this kind of behavior will not be tolerated in our community” Mulholland commented.

            The other notable case involved Thaddus Nundra, Louis Ousley, and Ronnie McFadden.  The trio were indicted for the murder of Hubert Moore, a Bainbridge local employed at the Post Searchlight.  “Mr. Moore’s senseless killing shook the entire community, myself included.  We will do everything possible to make sure that those who committed this horrible act are held responsible.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the Moore family, and we will get them justice in this matter” Mulholland stated.

 

Trials for May Term

       There were three cases to be tried by a jury the week of May 7th in Decatur County.  The first case for trial was Robert Ezell.  Ezell was charged by way of indictment with Child Molestation and Cruelty to Children in the 1st Degree. Monday morning, Ezell pled guilty to the charges.  He received a sentence of 25 five years, 15 to serve in the State Penitentiary and must register as a sex offender.  Ezell brutally beat the child of his girlfriend on at least two occasions.  The case was handled by Senior Assistant David Atwell.  “As the investigation into this matter developed, we found that not only did Ezell beat this young child but also sexually assaulted him.  We were able to revoke four years of his previous probation and run it consecutive to his current sentence which means he will be incarcerated for 19 years.  Which he deserves.  I am thankful to Amy Eakin at our local Child Advocacy Center and the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work in making sure this sick and violent predator is put away for close to two decades.” Mulholland replied.

            The second case that was set for trial was Lonnie Baggling, Christopher Baggling, and Marq Lewis.  District Attorney Joe Mulholland handled the case.  The trio robbed at gunpoint Earnest Lowrey at the local Wal-Mart in Bainbridge while he was in his vehicle.  In addition to robbing Mr. Lowery, the three also entered several other automobiles.  Just prior to trial, the three pled guilty to Armed Robbery and Entering an Automobile.  They were all sentenced to 30 years, 15 to serve in the State System.  “I would venture to say that almost everyone in our community has shopped at this Wal-Mart at some point.  The fact that these three would not only rob someone but use a firearm in doing so shows how violent they are.  Kudos go out to Bainbridge Public Safety for making sure they spend the next decade and a half behind bars.” Mulholland commented.

The final case to be tried this week was Gary Glass.  Chief Assistant Mike Bankston tried the case.  Glass was charged with Child Molestation.  After picking a jury in the matter, Glass decided to plead guilty and received a sentence of 40 years, 10 to serve in the State Penitentiary.  “Apparently Glass didn’t like the looks of the excellent jury we were able to impanel and pled.  Sexual predators are unfortunately a reality we must deal with.  I thank Cheryl Nix, law enforcement, and the victim and the victim’s family for their courage and hard work.” Mulholland stated.

“This was a long but very productive week in Decatur County.  I am very proud of the work my office did in securing major convictions in several high-profile cases.  We still have some unfinished business to do next week but we will be ready to go and make sure we keep our community safe.” Mulholland said.

Grady Co. woman convicted of manslaughter after giving birth in bathroom

A Grady County woman, who gave birth in a bathroom, has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter and concealing the death of another.

According to District Attorney Joe Mulholland, Amethyst Katora Hindsman pleaded blind, at the mercy of the court, on March 19.

Mulholland said Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Chase Littlejohn and the Grady County Sheriff’s Office collected evidence that proved Hindsman caused the death of her newborn child without any intention to seek medical attention for the baby after giving birth in a bathroom.

Mulholland said Hindsman also did not tell anyone she was pregnant and she never sought prenatal care.

“This was such an unnecessary death of a baby. Pre-natal care and medical attention during birth are simply requisites as they are readily available in our community,” said Mulholland.

Hindman's sentencing has been deferred by Judge Kevin Chason until June 14.

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Great Job Public Safety!

Bainbridge 'career offender' gets 14 years in federal prison

ALBANY, GA (WALB) -

A Bainbridge man who was labeled a 'career offender' by the U. S. Attorney will spend the next 14 years in federal prison, after he was sentenced in Albany Federal Court Thursday by Judge W. Louis Sands.

Keith Gaines, 43, of Bainbridge, got 176 months for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, after pleading guilty last December.

Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia said that in 2016, Bainbridge police saw Gaines trying to hide, while wearing camouflage described as a 'Ghillie suit' near some warehouses in Bainbridge. He ran to a wooded area, and dropped a package on the ground as police came up. It turned out to be cocaine, and officers found more cocaine in his wallet.

In jail, he made a phone call and described burying a package near a tree in the Bainbridge area. Police went there and found crack cocaine, which they confiscated.

"Mr. Gaines was designated a career offender based on at least five prior cocaine convictions," said United States Attorney Peeler. "He has made a career of almost 25 years of peddling this poison on the streets of our communities. We hope that this sentence will not only end that career for Mr. Gaines but deter others who might consider following the same path."

This case was investigated by the Bainbridge Department of Public Safety. Assistant United States Attorney Leah E. McEwen prosecuted the case for the United States.

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MITCHELL COUNTY KILLER'S CONVICTION UPHELD BY SUPREME COURT

Supreme Court affirmed Mitchell County murder conviction
Wednesday, February 7th 2018, 10:41 pm EST
Thursday, February 8th 2018, 12:06 am EST
By Jim Wallace
 
MITCHELL CO., GA (WALB) -
The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the murder conviction of a Mitchell County man, denying his appeal for a new trial.

The Supreme Court this week denied appeals by Samuel Stork, 25. Stork was convicted of murdering Rodney Pate in Mitchell County in February 2014. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

In his appeal, Stork claimed that the evidence was insufficient and his trial lawyer was ineffective.

In a statement, District Attorney Joe Mulholland said  "This was an utterly senseless killing. The defendant was angry over a silly relationship between his girlfriend and another male."

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February 16th, 2018

Decatur County Man Convicted in 2016 Murder Case

By Dustin Dowdy | February 16, 2018 

PRESS RELEASE

This press release is in regards to the Trial and Investigation of Demarcus Glenn.

On April 29, 2016, Quentieria Knight was found shot to death in her car on Zorn Road, Bainbridge, Decatur County.  The Decatur County Sheriff’s Office and the GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation) conducted an extensive investigation and developed Demarcus Glenn, a fellow employee at Elberta Crate, as a suspect. Glenn and Knight left work at Elberta Crate at approximately 11:30 P.M., April 28th, 2016 together.  The GBI was able to gather surveillance videos and GPS coordinates of the route the two took, with no stops, to the final resting place on Zorn Road with no stops.  Glenn was seen minutes thereafter on surveillance entering the store nearby, Mr. Pips.  A search warrant of his residence discovered the firearm involved, which was matched to ballistics at the scene of the crime.  Additionally, the firearm was linked to a previous homicide where Marcus Bell was killed.  Glenn purchased the firearm in 2014.

Glenn was indicted and tried for Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony.  Joe Mulholland, District Attorney for the South Georgia Circuit, tried the case for the State.  Guy Terry, Attorney from Valdosta, tried the case for the defense.  After a three day trial, the jury convicted Glenn on all counts.  Judge Heather H. Lanier heard arguments in aggravation of sentencing.  Mulholland argued that Glenn was a cold-blooded killer, incapable of rehabilitation.  Mulholland asked the Court to sentence Glenn to Life without the Possibility of Parole.  Judge Lanier agreed, and sentenced the defendant to Life without the Possibility of Parole plus 5 years consecutive on the gun charge.

Joe Mulholland had the following to say:

“As District Attorney for the past fourteen (14) years in the South Georgia Circuit, I have rarely seen such a heartless, unforgiving defendant.  Demarcus Glenn is going to spend the rest of his natural life behind bars where he belongs.  I hope other criminals see this and realize that we will keep our community safe, and send violent criminals to prison for as long as the law allows.  I am glad that Ms. Barbara Knight and all of the friends and family of Quentieria Knight will know that her killer will never see the light of day.  I want to thank first the jury for their service.  I also want to thank the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, Public Safety, and GBI for their hard work in this case.  GBI Special Agent Hank Day of Bainbridge made my job easy.  Considering this was his first major case, I feel confident he has a bright future in law enforcement.” 

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