Author: Staff Reports

Two armed customers in the One-Trip store in Willacoochee may have kept an armed robbery at the store from turning into something much more serious. According to a statement released by Atkinson County Sheriff David Moore, at 4:10 a.m. on Feb. 2, 2020, a male armed with a handgun walked into the One-Trip and ordered employees to get money from the cash register. Four people were in the store – two of whom were armed. They drew their guns and told the robber to stop. The robber took as much cash as he could grab and ran out of…

State Court Judge Bob Preston has announced that he will seek re-election for the office of State Court Judge. His election will be held on May 19, 2020. At the end of this year, Judge Preston will have served 16 years as State Court Judge. If re-elected, Judge Preston would begin his fifth term on the bench. He urges the citizens of Coffee County to vote for him in May.

Monday morning, administration at Coffee Middle School learned that a female student had brought a loaded handgun to campus. According to Chief Chris Elrod of the Coffee County School System Police Department, the student did not know that the gun was in her belongings and there was no attempt to harm another student. Monday afternoon, Chief Elrod released the following statement: “On January 27, 2020 at approximately 8:43 am Chief Chris Elrod of the Coffee County School System Police Department was contacted by Sherri Berry from Coffee Middle School. Mrs. Berry advised a 6th grade student brought a handgun to…

Former Coffee County chief magistrate judge Betty Day Lanier has died. She was 83. Mrs. Lanier, of Douglas, passed away on Saturday January 11, 2020 at Vista Park Health and Rehabilitation. She was born on November 29, 1936 in Coffee County, the daughter of the late Hayden Henry Day and the late Annie Ree Ragsdale Day. Mrs. Lanier was a retired county employee with thirty plus years of service in many department areas, including chief magistrate. She was a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband,…

Early Sunday morning, December 29, 2019, a Broxton police officer fired his weapon several times at a vehicle involved in a chase that originated in Douglas. On Monday, December 30, 2019, the GBI’s Douglas Regional Office received a request from the Broxton Police Department to conduct a use of force investigation. At approximately 3:00 a.m. on December 29, the Douglas Police Department initiated a traffic stop in Douglas. The vehicle fled the stop and led officers on a chase that continued into Broxton. As the chase continued through Broxton, a Broxton Police Department officer fired multiple times at…

Officers from the Douglas Police Department have arrested Douglas Fire Chief Larry Wilson. According to a press released posted on the police department’s Facebook page, officers arrested Wilson and charged him with two counts of pointing a pistol at another person and one count of criminal trespass. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on Dec. 31, 2019, at a residence in Douglas. After speaking with numerous victims and witnesses and conducting further investigation, officers determined that probable cause existed to apply for arrest warrants for Wilson and others involved. On Jan. 5, 2020, detectives received warrants…

One man has been charged with child molestation following an investigation that began on Christmas Day. According to a press release issued by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the Douglas Police Department after a report of a possible sexual assault that took place on Dec. 25, 2019. Deputies spoke with a female who stated that her 13-year-old daughter had been sexually assaulted. Deputies notified detectives and as a result of the ensuing investigation, they determined that Edward Allen Watford was the offender. Watford turned himself into the sheriff’s office on Jan. 3, 2020. He was charged with…

Former Clerk of Court Willifred M. Thompson, who served the citizens of Coffee County for 53 years as an employee of the Clerk of Court’s office (33 years) and as Clerk of Court (20 years), has passed away. She was 88 years old. Mrs. Thompson passed on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019 at her residence in Broxton. She was born on June 15, 1931 in Broxton, the daughter of the late Ward L. Moseley and the late Eddie Lou Brundage Moseley. Mrs. Thompson worked for the Clerk of Court Hubert Mote for thirty-three years then served as the Clerk of Court…

On December 19, 2019 detectives with the Douglas Police Department arrested Onterio Laroy Wilson, who also goes by Mucho Gotti, age 27, of Douglas, in connection with the homicide that occurred Sunday, December 15, 2019 at Amberwood Apartments in Douglas. At this time, he is being held on charges of tampering with evidence and possession of a firearm by convicted felon. He is currently incarcerated at the Coffee County Jail. The investigation continues and further charges are expected. Wilson was shot multiple times during the incident. He was transported by private vehicle to Coffee Regional Medical Center, where…

On December 17, 2019, the Alma-Bacon County Crime Suppression Unit obtained information of the possible location of James Metts in Telfair County. CSU passed the information along to the Telfair County Sheriff’s Office. Telfair County deputies, Coffee County K-9 and the Department of Corrections K-9 were able to locate Metts along with Arlene Harrell travelling near her residence. Both Harrell and Metts led officers in a pursuit. Both parties have been arrested. Metts has been returned to the Bacon County Jail and has been charged with escape and theft by taking automobile. Harrell is in the Telfair County…