Author: Staff Reports

Mr. Jacel Wilber Butler, age 76, of Douglas passed away early Monday morning, January 9, 2017 at Coffee Regional Medical Center, following a short illness. Mr. Butler was born September 27, 1940 to the late Jim Merrill Butler and the late Clara Laverne Kent Butler. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Wayne Russell Butler. In 2015, he retired from Elixir Industries after 29 years of service, where he was the manager of the Aluminum Extrusion Division. Survivors include: His Wife: Virginia Butler of Douglas, GA; 1 Son: Michael (Rhonda) Butler of Douglas, GA; 1…

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation provided the following statment Monday in regards to the shooting of a motorist by a Turner County sheriff’s deputy that occurred in Cook County Sunday afternoon: “On Sunday, January 8, 2017 the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region Four Office was requested by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to investigate an officer involved use of force incident. Preliminary information from law enforcement agencies indicated that at approximately 5:00 p.m., Ashburn Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle south-bound on I-75 in Turner County. The driver, identified as Erin Sean Hogue, 26 of Jacksonville, FL, refused to…

Residents and businesses on the north end of Douglas will be without power for several hours Friday, following a morning traffic accident. City officials reported around 10 a.m. that due to the accident, which involved a utility pole on the corner of N. Madison and N. Street, electrical service on the north end of town will be out for approximately 2 to 3 hours. “Customers in this area should make proper arrangements until power is restored,” city representatives stated in a press release. “Linemen are working to restore power as promptly as possible for the convenience of our customers, (and)…

A 58-year-old man was taken into custody earlier this week following an investigation in which authorities say he traveled from Hazlehurst to Telfair County for the purpose of meeting a child for sex. Telfair Sheriff Chris Steverson stated deputies assigned to the GBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force were working in an undercover capacity several weeks ago when contact was established with an individual online who appeared to be actively seeking sexual contact with a child. Posing as an underage female, investigators made arrangements to meet the suspect at a secluded location and awaited his arrival. As the…

Three Coffee County men were jailed Tuesday on numerous drug and firearms charges following a multi-agency residential search. The Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit, along with authorities from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas Police Department, and the state probation office executed a search warrant at 906 N. June Ave, which authorities say resulted in the discovery of quantities of marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, illicit prescription medications, a firearm, ammunition, and drug related packaging materials. 28-year-old Alfonzo Jerrod Brewton of Douglas, 39-year-old Larry Webb of Broxton, and 20-year-old Ferlonzo Lamar Newton of Douglas were arrested at the location. Brewton has been charged with…

A passenger in a vehicle initially stopped by authorities for a seatbelt violation faces multiple drug charges, including trafficking methamphetamine, following an incident earlier this week. Coffee County sheriff’s officials stated a K-9 Deputy with the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit conducted the traffic stop on a burgundy-colored, 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe on Landfill Rd. and Jackie’s Ln. last Tuesday, Dec. 27. A passenger, identified as Christina Lee Carpenter, was found to be in possession of approximately 450 milliliters of methamphetamine, which was located inside of a Zaxby’s drink cup. Carpenter was also found to be in possession of 20 Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone…

Coffee County law enforcement and othes went above and beyond the norm in 2016 to make this Christmas special and memorable. Over 100 children were served during the annual Shop With a Cop event and, over in Nicholls, “Secret Santas” randomly distributed $100 bills to unsuspecting citizens. Russell Flanagan, the man behind the locally popular Coffee County Ga. Police Scanner Facebook page, captured both of these events on video. We have posted Mr. Flanagan’s video of the 2016 Shop With A Cop event at the bottom of this article. The Nicholls “Secret Santa” video can be viewed here. Thanks to…

A man who found a debit card abandoned in an Alma parking lot apparently thought he’d treat himself to a few early Christmas gifts, but authorities had other ideas. Officials stated 49-year-old Stacy Tyle Lee discovered the card in the Bacon County Hospital parking lot and later utilized it on four separate occasions for personal gain. Alma police subsequently arrested Lee, charging the debit card bandit with four counts of financial transaction card.

Douglas Mayor Tony Paulk and city commissioners voted last week to amend the municipal alcoholic beverage ordinance which will allow alcoholic beverages to be consumed and sold on Sundays. Douglas citizens were given the chance to vote on the ordinance in November during the primary election. Citizens voted to allow Sunday sales of alcoholic beverages, as well as Sunday sales for consumption of alcoholic beverages. The amended alcoholic beverage ordinance took effect on December 12, 2016. Citizens should be aware of the exceptions to the days, hours, and sale of the amended alcoholic beverage ordinance. The sale of alcoholic beverages…

Local law enforcement discovered nearly $300 in counterfeit currency, along with high grade marijuana and packaging materials, after a passenger in a vehicle allegedly tried to discard the contraband during a traffic stop last Friday. Coffee County officials initiated the stop on Hwy. 221 N. for reckless driving. According to authorities, the driver attempted to elude officers briefly before pulling into a residence on Spring Meadow Rd. Deputies made contact with the driver of the vehicle, identified as Leetavou Dyshun Pittman, and the passenger, identified as Briana Thigpen. Pittman and Thigpen allegedly stated to officers that they were lost. Deputies…