Author: Staff Reports

A body discovered floating in a pond in the Oak Park community earlier this week has been confirmed as that of missing Douglas man Jose Mendez Diaz. Diaz was reported missing late last month after he failed to return home from a friend’s house in an area off Gum Street. Authorities launched an intensive search for Diaz in the Oak Park community, speaking to residents and performing searches in the areas around his last known location. The area was searched by helicopter, with the assistance of the Georgia State Patrol, by foot, four-wheelers, golf carts and with the help of…

Authorities with the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit reported today that one person was arrested Wednesday following a traffic stop in which officers discovered a large amount of street drugs packaged for distribution. Officials stated that K-9 officers initiated a traffic stop on U.S. Hwy. 441 in Douglas, in which they discovered a quantity of ecstasy tablets, marijuana (packaged for sale), methamphetamine (packaged for sale), and a .380 caliber handgun. A passenger in the vehicle, identified as William Charles Odell, was arrested for possession of ecstasy (MDMA) with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with…

An 18-year-old Douglas man faces two charges, including one felony count of cruelty to children, following an alleged assault on a juvenile victim that occurred last week. Keegan Lamar Howell was arrested for battery and first degree cruelty to children for allegedly beating a 15-year-old male by punching and kicking him, according to an incident report obtained through the Douglas Police Department. Officers responded to the area of Friendly Rentals at 522 S. Peterson Ave. following the occurrence, where witnesses provided Howell’s identification. He was located and arrested a short time later. In Georgia, first degree cruelty to children occurs…

City of Douglas police officials reported Tuesday morning they have arrested a local man on robbery charges after he allegedly hijacked a victim and forced him to withdraw cash from an ATM. Officers from the Douglas Police Department responded to a robbery in the 1300 block of S. Madison Ave.on Wednesday, April 1. The victim stated he was walking to his vehicle when he was approached by an individual asking for money. The victim told police he advised the individual that he did not have any money and he got into his vehicle to leave. The alleged offender then got…

Evidence collected following the attempted armed robbery of a local pizza delivery driver in December has resulted in the arrest and incarceration of one man this week, Douglas police officials reported Monday. The Douglas Police Department responded to an attempted armed robbery on Sibbett Ave. on Dec. 17, 2014. The intended victim, a local pizza delivery driver, stated that when he arrived at the delivery location he was confronted by two individuals, one of whom was carrying a metal bar. The two offenders fled the scene when the victim produced a handgun. An investigator was called to the…

The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office has released a statement regarding the discovery of a body floating in a pond in Oak Park. The body has yet to be identified. The sheriff department’s statement is featured below in its entirety: On Monday April 6, 2015 at approximately 10:56 a.m., deputies of the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office responded to 252 Mahogany Road in Douglas with reference to a body floating in a pond behind this residence. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with the property owner. He stated that while cleaning up rental property he noticed an unusual object floating in a pond behind…

Former Douglas Police Officer Brittany Coleman , who was arrested and charged with financial transaction card fraud last month, will never see a courtroom after prosecutors decided to drop the charges against her this week. Coleman was arrested on March 17 after authorities said she used a man’s credit card to make hundreds of dollars in unauthorized purchases without his permission. Prosecutors say she has since repaid the victim in the case and, citing insufficient evidence to convict her beyond a reasonable doubt, they have dismised all criminal charges. Coleman had been with the Douglas Police Department less than two…

You could make a strong case that Riccardo Ingram is the greatest athlete Coffee County has ever generated. Certainly he is on the short list, in the top three or four at most. Last night, Ingram passed away at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. Below is an article written by David Dorsey of the Fort Myers News-Press (www.news-press.com). Mr. Dorsey granted permission for us to re-print his story in honor of one of Coffee County’s finest. The story can be seen on the News-Press’s Web site here: http://www.news-press.com/story/sports/mlb/springtraining/2015/03/30/twins-coach-riccardo-ingram-renews-cancer-battle/70691434/ Former Fort Myers Miracle manager Riccardo Ingram, who was given…

Two Nicholls men are facing charges of child molestation and other sexually-oriented criminal acts in Brantley County after authorities say they used social media sites to lure their victims. James Harold Johnson, 47, was charged with child molestation and aggravated sodomy and Michael Ray Taylor, 23, was charged with child molestation, sodomy and statutory rape. The investigation was launched on March 15 after law enforcement officials in Brantley County recieved a complaint of child molestation. Authorities say the alleged offenders made contact with the victims through social media sites SnapChat and Kik. Officials with the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office told…