Author: Staff Reports

Authorities in Florida have filed additional charges against William Joseph Hale, 35, of Douglas, who was charged with attempted murder in an alleged Nassau County, Florida, road rage incident on October 8, 2022. Hale has now been hit with three counts of attempted second-degree murder, three counts of aggravated assault, and one count of shooting into a vehicle. The incident happened on October 8 when Hale and another motorist on U.S. 1 near Callahan, Fla., Frank Gilliard Allison of Cordele, began shooting at each other. Two children were shot as a result of the incident. Allison was also…

The Douglas Police Department is still looking for Maria Diaz, 29, who has been missing since February 7, 2023. Diaz is a Hispanic female and is described as 5’3″ tall with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen on February 7. During the investigation, her last known location was determined to be on the 900 block of East Ethel Street in Douglas at a location commonly referred to as The Compound. The picture above is The Compound and consists of 907, 909, and 911 East Ethel Street. Investigators believe that Maria Diaz was attempting to leave…

The Douglas Police Department is still looking for Maria Diaz, 29, who has been missing since February 7, 2023. Diaz is a Hispanic female and is described as 5’3″ tall with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen on February 7. During the investigation, her last known location was determined to be on the 900 block of East Ethel Street in Douglas at a location commonly referred to as The Compound. The picture above is The Compound and consists of 907, 909, and 911 East Ethel Street. Investigators believe that Maria Diaz was attempting to leave…

A Douglas police officer has resigned following an alleged domestic dispute with his girlfriend, who is also a Douglas police officer. The Douglas Police Department has opened an investigation into the incident and allegations that surfaced as a result. The incident occurred Saturday afternoon. According to an incident report obtained from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, the victim, a Douglas police officer called a deputy (not 911) shortly after 6 p.m. on April 8, 2023, stating that her boyfriend, Joseph Brown, 28, had “jumped on her and she needed the law.” The officer headed to the residence where…

A Douglas police officer has resigned following an alleged domestic dispute with his girlfriend, who is also a Douglas police officer. The Douglas Police Department has opened an investigation into the incident and allegations that surfaced as a result. The incident occurred Saturday afternoon. According to an incident report obtained from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, the victim, a Douglas police officer called a deputy (not 911) shortly after 6 p.m. on April 8, 2023, stating that her boyfriend, Joseph Brown, 28, had “jumped on her and she needed the law.” The officer headed to the residence where…

A Douglas police officer has resigned following an alleged domestic dispute with his girlfriend, who is also a Douglas police officer. The Douglas Police Department has opened an investigation into the incident and allegations that surfaced as a result. The incident occurred Saturday afternoon. According to an incident report obtained from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, the victim, a Douglas police officer called a deputy (not 911) shortly after 6 p.m. on April 8, 2023, stating that her boyfriend, Joseph Brown, 28, had “jumped on her and she needed the law.” The officer headed to the residence where…

Three dog individuals from Hazlehurst have been charged with two counts each of aggravated cruelty to animals after neighbors discovered two dogs in very poor health. One of the dogs has since died as a result of the alleged neglect. The incident took place on March 29. When deputies arrived on the scene to assist animal advocates, they found two severely malnourished and mangy dogs, according to a press release posted by the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office. Neighbors found the dogs after they wandered up on their front porch shaking uncontrollably. Deputies assisted the volunteers in getting…

Three dog individuals from Hazlehurst have been charged with two counts each of aggravated cruelty to animals after neighbors discovered two dogs in very poor health. One of the dogs has since died as a result of the alleged neglect. The incident took place on March 29. When deputies arrived on the scene to assist animal advocates, they found two severely malnourished and mangy dogs, according to a press release posted by the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office. Neighbors found the dogs after they wandered up on their front porch shaking uncontrollably. Deputies assisted the volunteers in getting…

Three dog individuals from Hazlehurst have been charged with two counts each of aggravated cruelty to animals after neighbors discovered two dogs in very poor health. One of the dogs has since died as a result of the alleged neglect. The incident took place on March 29. When deputies arrived on the scene to assist animal advocates, they found two severely malnourished and mangy dogs, according to a press release posted by the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office. Neighbors found the dogs after they wandered up on their front porch shaking uncontrollably. Deputies assisted the volunteers in getting…

A traffic stop in Oak Park landed a Douglas man in jail after officers discovered cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana in the trunk of the vehicle. According to an incident report from the sheriff’s office drug unit, on March 29, officers saw a black car on Sand Street, the tag of which did not match the vehicle. The officers stopped the vehicle and the driver, Howard McGinty, 59, of Douglas, gave his consent for the officers to search the vehicle. During the search, detectives found a grocery bag inside a compartment in the trunk. The bag contained…