According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, all drug overdose deaths in Georgia increased by 61.9 percent from 2019 to 2021. According to the Georgia Attorney General, Chris Carr, Opioids, specifically fentanyl, appear to be driving these increases. From 2019 to 2021, fentanyl-involved overdose deaths increased by 232.1 percent. Stimulant-related overdoses have also been increasing in Georgia.… Read More
Category: Community News
COVID-19 Related Scam Alert
Please read and pass this information along to those with family and friends that could be targets of scammers. Scammers are looking to take advantage of victims that can be easily intimidated or vulnerable – such as the elderly. Scammers are impersonating employees with the Department of Justice and using Covid-19 as a reason to try to obtain personal information.… Read More
Experiencing Domestic Violence or Suspect Child Abuse?
District Attorney, Bill Doupé, and Assistant District Attorney, Tony Howard, meet with state lawmakers to discuss gang violence prevention
Reported by Renetta DuBose of WJBF
“AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A committee of state lawmakers and other leaders spent time in Augusta learning ways to help prevent the rising rate of gangs and youth violence.
This work could help the state curb the draw to kids wanting to affiliate with gangs.
House Resolution 585 created the committee to prevent gang and youth violence.… Read More
Ivie to serve life sentence for murder
Reported by Linda Green of The McDuffie Progress
“A McDuffie County Superior Court jury issued a guilty verdict against Brenda Kaye Ivie in the 2012 murder of her husband Ronald A. Willoughby.
Ivie, 63, also known as Kaye Ivie Willoughby, was found guilty of felony murder following a five-day trial that began Sept. 16. Willoughby, who is a resident of Loganville, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Thomas “Britt” Hammond to life in prison for the Nov.… Read More
Normandia sworn in as ADA for Toombs Judicial Circuit
Reported by The Lincoln Journal
“Steven Tyler Normandia will serve as a new Assistant District Attorney for the Toombs Judicial Circuit after being sworn in by Judge Thomas “Britt” Hammond on Monday, June 3.
Normandia grew up in Habersham County and attended Georgia Southern University where he earned his B.A. in Political Science in 2014. He then attended the University of Georgia School of Law where he obtained his J.D.… Read More
Grand Jury indicts Spee-Dee shooters
Reported by Linda Green of The McDuffie Progress
“The shooters and victim in the shooting incident at Spee-Dee Foods last June have been indicted by a McDuffie County Grand Jury for violation of the street gang terrorism act and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
D’Alviune D. Burnett, of Thomson, Aundra D.… Read More
Atkins sentenced to life in shooting death of Brian Parks
Reported by Linda Green of The McDuffie Progress
“A Thomson man has been found guilty of felony murder in the 2016 shooting death of Brian Parks that occurred at a Thomson apartment complex and was sentenced to life plus five years in prison.
On Sept. 19, at 11:27 a.m., a McDuffie County Superior Court Jury returned the guilty verdict against Brian Atkins Jr.,
Tarver found guilty of malice murder
Reported by Linda Green of The McDuffie Progress
“On Sept. 12, twelve jurors found Ricquavious Tarver guilty in the murder of Roosevelt Demmons.
The jurors deliberated for one hour and 45 minutes and reached the guilty verdict. Superior Court judge Harold Hinesley sentenced Tarver to life plus five years with the possibility for parole. Tarver has to serve a minimum of 30 years in confinement before the possibility of parole….”
Child Advocacy Center opens in Thomson
District Attorney Bill Doupé with director Kari Viola-Brooke, left, and Investigator Jimmy Talkington, right, in the interview room of the newly opened Child Advocacy Center in Thomson
An Augusta center dedicated to being an advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect has opened an office in Thomson.
Child Enrichment Inc.’s Child Advocacy Center (CAC) has established an office at 123 Nassau Place (in the Knox Shopping Center) to assist the Toombs Judicial Circuit in helping victimized children heal and help law enforcement and the prosecution build stronger cases.… Read More