Author: Staff Reports

A traffic stop for failure to maintain lane ended up leading to trafficking cocaine charges. According to an incident report from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, officers made the traffic stop near Bethel Grocery on March 16. During the stop, officers found 15 baggies of suspected cocaine along with an amount of suspected marijuana. A passenger in the vehicle, David Angel Ruiz, 39, claimed the drugs, the report states. Drug unit officers then searched Ruiz’s residence along with a secondary location. At Ruiz’s home, officers found more marijuana, digital scales, and a large amount of cash.…

The Coffee Trojans track team finished first at the For Coffee home meet last Thursday. The Trojans bested the Atkinson County Rebels, Bacon County Red Raiders, and Lanier County Bulldogs. Senior Kate Merritt set another school record in her career, this time with a 5:19.55 in the 1600 meters. She also won the 800 meters. Coach Greg Luke and staff recognized the Trojan seniors at the meet: Jair Bonilla, Jade Hamilton, Kate Merritt, Ainsley Myers, Nevin Swanson and Nathaniel Tapia. Here are the first place finishes: Junior Janiya Brown broke into a 12.69 time…

The Coffee Trojans track team finished first at the For Coffee home meet last Thursday. The Trojans bested the Atkinson County Rebels, Bacon County Red Raiders, and Lanier County Bulldogs. Senior Kate Merritt set another school record in her career, this time with a 5:19.55 in the 1600 meters. She also won the 800 meters. Coach Greg Luke and staff recognized the Trojan seniors at the meet: Jair Bonilla, Jade Hamilton, Kate Merritt, Ainsley Myers, Nevin Swanson and Nathaniel Tapia. Here are the first place finishes: Junior Janiya Brown broke into a 12.69 time…

It’s now officially Judge Katy Paulk. Tuesday afternoon at the Capitol, Gov. Brian Kemp swore in Katy Paulk as Coffee County’s new State Court judge. She replaces Judge Bob Preston, who retired from the State Court bench in December of last year after 18 years. Paulk has served as Solicitor General of Coffee County since 2012. She also served as a Solicitor for the Municipal Court of Douglas, where she prosecuted all misdemeanor cases. Previously, she served as an Assistant District Attorney for the Waycross Judicial Circuit and continues in this role on a part-time basis, aiding…

It’s now officially Judge Katy Paulk. Tuesday afternoon at the Capitol, Gov. Brian Kemp swore in Katy Paulk as Coffee County’s new State Court judge. She replaces Judge Bob Preston, who retired from the State Court bench in December of last year after 18 years. Paulk has served as Solicitor General of Coffee County since 2012. She also served as a Solicitor for the Municipal Court of Douglas, where she prosecuted all misdemeanor cases. Previously, she served as an Assistant District Attorney for the Waycross Judicial Circuit and continues in this role on a part-time basis, aiding…

Convicted double murderer Wallace Lee’s motion for a new trial has been denied. Lee has been serving two life sentences without the possibility for parole for the November 2015 murders of Meghan Bowen, 33, and Carlos Harden, 39. He was convicted of the murders in October of 2017. On March 1, Judge Andy Spivey began hearing the motion. The motion alleges that the guilty verdicts were contrary to the evidence and contrary “to the law and principles of justice and equity, among other reasons.” It also alleges that the Lee’s attorney “committed ineffective assistance…

Convicted double murderer Wallace Lee’s motion for a new trial has been denied. Lee has been serving two life sentences without the possibility for parole for the November 2015 murders of Meghan Bowen, 33, and Carlos Harden, 39. He was convicted of the murders in October of 2017. On March 1, Judge Andy Spivey began hearing the motion. The motion alleges that the guilty verdicts were contrary to the evidence and contrary “to the law and principles of justice and equity, among other reasons.” It also alleges that the Lee’s attorney “committed ineffective assistance…

Convicted double murderer Wallace Lee’s motion for a new trial has been denied. Lee has been serving two life sentences without the possibility for parole for the November 2015 murders of Meghan Bowen, 33, and Carlos Harden, 39. He was convicted of the murders in October of 2017. On March 1, Judge Andy Spivey began hearing the motion. The motion alleges that the guilty verdicts were contrary to the evidence and contrary “to the law and principles of justice and equity, among other reasons.” It also alleges that the Lee’s attorney “committed ineffective assistance…

A traffic stop on East Walker Street landed one man in jail after officers discovered suspected illegal drugs in the vehicle. According to an incident report from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, detectives with the drug unit saw a vehicle make an improper turn at 110 East Walker Street. The detectives stopped the vehicle and found five grams of methamphetamine, six grams of crack cocaine, and three grams of marijuana. An occupant in the vehicle, Milton Gainey, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute,…

A traffic stop on East Walker Street landed one man in jail after officers discovered suspected illegal drugs in the vehicle. According to an incident report from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, detectives with the drug unit saw a vehicle make an improper turn at 110 East Walker Street. The detectives stopped the vehicle and found five grams of methamphetamine, six grams of crack cocaine, and three grams of marijuana. An occupant in the vehicle, Milton Gainey, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute,…