Author: Staff Reports

Things just aren’t getting any better for Bo Dukes, the man accused of helping conceal the 2005 death of Ocilla school teacher Tara Grinstead. Wednesday, media outlets in the Macon/Warner Robins area began reporting that Dukes, who has been on the run since a judge revoked his probation stemming from a 2013 incident in which he was convicted of stealing $150,000 from the Army, is now wanted for sexual assault. According to the reports, which have now been picked up by other outlets across the state, authorities want Dukes for rape, aggravated sodomy, false imprisonment, and possession of…

The Coffee County Drug Unit has made a number of arrests during the month of December. Most recently, officers arrested two people on methamphetamine, firearms, and other charges last week following a search at a local residence. Around 9 p.m., Dec. 20, agents with the Coffee County Drug Unit conducted a search at a home in the Oak Park community. Quantities of methamphetamine, marijuana, cash, and a firearm were discovered. As a result, Cameron Blake Spires was charged with possession of methamphetamine and probation violation. Leodis Weldon-Mobley was also arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute…

There’s one less alleged drug offender and burglar in Broxton as the holiday weekend approaches. Officers from the Broxton Police Department made a huge arrest Wednesday night when they arrested 28-year-old Geraldme Phillip Kirby of Douglas in Broxton for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of burglary tools, prowling, and two counts of carrying an illegal drug across a guard line. More charges are pending as the investigation progresses. Broxton police chief Scott Harper stated that this arrest was a direct result…

Thursday, December 13, during the regular meeting of the Coffee County Board of Education, Ms. Leola Johnson was recognized for her tenure on the school board since May 2017. The December 13 meeting was her final meeting as a board member. “Not only has Mrs. Johnson been committed to her role as a school board member for District 1, but she has devoted her entire professional career to the Coffee County School System,” stated Dr. Morris Leis, Superintendent. Mrs. Johnson retired from the Coffee County School System in May of 2005 having served over 30 years as an administrative…

Sammy Reed’s three-month escape attempt is over. Reed, 51, who was charged in the Sept. 21, 2018, shooting of Tamakie Moore, 40, on South Manila Avenue, has been apprehended in a neighboring county, according to a post on the Douglas Police Department’s Facebook page. When officers arrived at the scene of the shooting in September, witnesses stated that Reed had forced his way into the home with a large caliber handgun and threated to kill everyone inside. Reed found Moore, his estranged girlfriend, in the house. She was in her bedroom asleep at the time. Reed allegedly grabbed Moore and dragged…

Garland Thompson, age 90, of Douglas, passed away on Monday, December 17, 2018 at his residence. Mr. Thompson was born on June 5, 1928 in Soperton, the son of the late Clifford Thompson and Troy Spivey Thompson. Mr. Thompson was a veteran serving in the United States Marines and attended the First Baptist Church. He played a direct role in the economic development of the City of Douglas and Coffee County, resulting in thousands of new jobs for his community. Garland helped relocate many businesses to the Douglas and Coffee areas, including several Fortune 500 companies. Garland’s significant…

Wednesday afternoon, Michael Mancil, 32, who was charged with numerous violations in October 2016 when authorities arrested him, along with James Dryden, Jr., after learning the two men were purchasing a large amount of firearms and ammunition. After making the arrests, officers learned that Mancil planned to overtake and destroy the HAARP facility, located in Gakona, Alaska. Wednesday, Mancil was sentenced to 15 years, five of which will be served in prison, for count one, which was selling methamphetamine. For count two – possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony — Mancil was sentenced to five…

Yesterday morning, a high speed chase ended in spectacular fashion on Highway 441 just south of Pearson. The suspect, identified as Leon Shank, allegedly stole a vehicle in Valdosta then led law enforcement on a multi-county chase that ultimately ended on the bridge just outside of Pearson. At least three vehicles – the stolen truck and two Atkinson County Sheriff’s Office vehicles – sustained serious damage. The Coffee County Ga. Police Scanner Facebook page posted a short interview with Atkinson County Sheriff David Moore about the chase. Here is what Sheriff Moore had to say: “I’ve had all…

On Friday night, another shooting took place in Douglas, this time on the 600 block of Roper Street, just off South Gaskin Avenue. According to a press release posted on the Douglas Police Department’s Facebook page, officers from the Douglas Police Department responded to a call of gunshots on Roper Street. They found that 19-year-old Aron J. Manley had suffered a gunshot wound to the left leg and was taken to Coffee Regional Medical Center. Officers made contact with Manley at the hospital and he stated that he was with several other persons on Roper Street when an…

Officers from the Douglas Police Department have made an arrest in the Nov. 18, 2018, fatal shooting of Terrance Daniel Gibson, 31. Friday afternoon, Samuel Edward Jones, 29, was arrested and charged with murder for Gibson’s death. The shooting took place on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, at around 10 a.m. According to a post on the Douglas Police Department’s Facebook page, Gibson was on Fales Avenue walking to the Sunoco store on East Ward Street when someone shot him in the back. Gibson made his way to the Sunoco store, where he collapsed inside. Individuals at the store called…