Author: Staff Reports

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office have charged 42-year-old Wallace David Lee for the murders of two people discovered killed at a residence on Meadowbrook Ln. Thursday morning. Lee was arrested Friday and charged with with two counts of malice murder and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime for his suspected role in the deaths of 33-year-old Meghan Bowen and 39-year-old James Harden. On Thursday, the GBI’s Douglas regional office was requested by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office to assist in the investigation. The bodies of Harden and…

Douglas police arrested a suspect this week they say is responsible for an armed robbery that occurred in the early morning hours at a local store. Officials reported the department responded to Aden’s Minit Market, 1020 E. Baker Hwy., around 12:45 a.m. on Nov. 15 in reference to a robbery. Officers were advised that a black male with dread locks, wearing a grey hooded jacket, entered the business, and proceeded to the drink cooler. The offender got a drink out of the cooler and approached the counter. When the store clerk opened the cash register, the suspect allegedly produced a…

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, who was in Douglas Thursday morning, addressed today a recent error that led to the dissemination of personal voter information to 12 groups throughout Georgia. The following letter from Kemp, which highlights his office’s response to the situation, was provided to Douglas Now by the Coffee County Elections Office.

Since 1998, Hope Outreach Center, with the assistance of the local community, has provided Christmas for hundreds of children who would not have known the joy of the holidays without the concern of others. Each year, Hope Outreach provides Christmas gifts to dozens of local children in need. Each gift tells boys and girls about the greatest gift of all, and it has been the goal of Hope Outreach each Christmas to take time with the children who receive the gifts and make sure they hear the true meaning of Christmas. Through the years, hundreds of children have bowed their…

Sheriff’s officials reported Wednesday the arrest of a Coffee County man believed to be responsible for over a dozen recent thefts of utility trailers that occurred in multiple counties. After a string of utility trailer thefts in Coffee and Bacon Counties, detectives with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office and Bacon County Sheriff’s Office worked together to determine who was stealing the trailers. Investigators were able to identify 41-year-old Jim Stacey Davis of Douglas as a suspect, and law enforcement was provided with a description of a vehicle Davis could be driving. Davis was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant…

A Coffee County man and woman, both already facing the consequences of recent arrests, were jailed again last week after authorities allegedly discovered an assortment of controlled prescription medications in their vehicle. Officials with the Douglas – Coffee Drug Unit (DCDU) reported that officers stopped a vehicle on Ga. Hwy. 158 near Indian Creek Elementary last Thursday. During the traffic stop, officers discovered a variety of scheduled prescription medications, which included pain pills and a pain patch. As a result, 34-year-old Steven Day of Broxton was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. A passenger, identified as 35-year-old Erin Rey…

Two men currently serving on parole were jailed Monday on various charges after leading authorities on a foot and vehicle chase just north of Douglas. Officials reported that a deputy with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle for reckless driving on U.S. Highway 441 north of Douglas near the Green Tree Lakes community after the deputy observed the vehicle passing other motorists against a double yellow line. As the deputy approached the vehicle, the driver fled on foot. The deputy chased the fleeing driver about one quarter of a mile on foot before another vehicle stopped, picked up…

Officials with the Douglas – Coffee Drug Unit (DCDU) reported today the recent arrests of three individuals on varying drug possession and distribution charges. Last Saturday, November 7, the Nicholls Police Department stopped a vehicle on Rich St. for a traffic violation. Authorities stated a search of the vehicle revealed an assortment of pain pills, and Nicholls police contacted the DCDU. As a result of the incident, James Eldon Metts, 40, of Nicholls was arrested on two counts of possession of a scheduled controlled substance and issued traffic citations for no insurance and failure to stop at a stop sign. …

One person is dead following an overnight residential fire that occurred in Douglas. Officers from the Douglas Police Department responded early Monday morning to 402 Whispering Pines Dr. in reference to assisting the Douglas Fire Dept. with a house fire. Authorities reported that, upon entering the home, a 63-year-old white male, identified as Thomas Prewett, was found deceased in a rear room of the residence. The fire was also found to be isolated in the same room as the deceased. Investigators from the police deparment and the state fire marshal’s office are currently investigating this incident to determine the cause…

A man who complained of being assaulted at a local doctor’s office last week was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs just one hour after filing a report with authorities. Douglas police responded to the office of Dr. Conrad Harper, 102 Bowens Mill Rd. SW, last Tuesday, Oct. 27, just before 3 p.m. in reference to a verbal argument. The alleged victim, identified as 62-year-old Wayne Francis Parker of Douglas, told officials an individual had grabbed him by the throat and pushed him backwards. No arrest was made at the time. About 4 p.m. the same day, Douglas…