Author: Staff Reports

On January 18, 2024, a short chase inside the city led to a crash at First Academy while school was in session, two arrests on illegal drug charges at the scene, a search at another location, and one more drug arrest. The incident took place around 1:30 p.m. when a deputy saw a white Lincoln traveling east on Ashley Street fail to maintain its lane, according to a report from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office. When the officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the Lincoln sped up, went through the intersection of East Ashley Street and South…

Judge Kelly Brooks has granted a change of venue for Jeffrey Harper’s trial in connection with the death of Vann Brown, 39, who lost his life during an altercation at a wedding party at Harper’s house on January 1, 2020, in Ambrose. Harper’s attorneys had petitioned the court for a change of venue because his legal team did not believe an impartial jury could be found in Coffee County due to extensive news coverage and social media commentary regarding the case. The change of venue hearing was initially scheduled for early December but had to be postponed. Judge…

Less than two weeks after being arrested on methamphetamine charges, Julian Roberson, 54, of Douglas, was arrested again – this time for allegedly shoplifting from Walmart. According to an incident report from the Douglas Police Department, on January 14, 2024 just before 9 p.m., an officer responded to a shoplifting in progress call at Walmart. A store representative told the officer than an individual, identified as Roberson, was at self-checkout skip scanning items. As the officer approached Roberson, the report says he attempted to leave the store. The officer asked Roberson to go with him for questioning. …

A Douglas man was charged with aggravated assault as a result of an alleged domestic dispute on January 14, 2024, according to a report from the Douglas Police Department. Officers responded to the call just after 4:30 p.m. on January 14 and found a chaotic scene. The report states that the initial call was an altercation between Kenneth Williams, 47, and a female at the residence. The report says that Williams stated that the female was “acting up and throwing things at him.” He said that he wrapped his arms around her in an effort to get her…

Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic of Coffee County is wishing you a safe and healthy new year!

A Douglas man was arrested then released from jail after he allegedly hit his ex-girlfriend in the face, closing her eye and possibly giving her a concussion, according to a Douglas Police Department report. The incident occurred on January 13, 2024. The report states that an officer responded to Coffee Regional Medical Center after the victim’s father reported that the victim had been hit in the face by 32-year-old Billy Toombs, her ex-boyfriend, the report states. The officer spoke with the victim who had visible injuries and was displaying concussion-like symptoms, according to the report. The…

People don’t like it when you mess with their food. An argument over a meal at a South Gaskin Avenue address led to aggravated assault charges earlier this month, according to a Douglas Police Department incident report. The report states that around 1:30 a.m. on January 7, 2024, police officers answered a call regarding a domestic dispute. When they arrived, the complainant said that she had fixed herself a plate of food and sat it in her room. Her boyfriend, Willie Sparkman, then allegedly came to the house and began eating her food. The complainant wasn’t…

Jake Jewell, a beloved 911 dispatcher in Douglas, passed away early Saturday morning in Bacon County following a brief illness. As news of Jewell’s passing spread on Saturday, tributes poured in from friends and coworkers. All mentioned Jewell’s professionalism and the conscientious manner in which he performed his duties. In the world of first responders, 911 operators are often the forgotten participants in emergency situations. The truth is, they are on the front lines just as much as anyone else who responds. Operators are the first ones who learn about an emergency and their response sets…

An alleged impaired driver crashed his 2002 Dodge Dakota pickup at the intersection of Estlee Mercer and Wood Duck roads Friday night, taking out a power pole and leaving hundreds of people without electricity on one of the coldest nights in Coffee County this winter. The driver, whose name has not been released, was traveling north on Estlee Mercer Road when he left the roadway at Wood Duck Road, took out guide wires on a power pole, launched over 100 feet in the air, and finally came to a rest inches from a large pine tree. The driver…

An argument that began at a local industry escalated into a knife fight at Circle K on the north end of town on January 6, 2024. As a result, Shiyonna Nabria Batten, 20, of McRae, was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault. According to a report from the Douglas Police Department, the incident began when a male and a female got into an argument at work. After work, the female along with a couple of others left together. They noticed that a car was following them, the report says. The vehicle pulled up beside them,…