Margie Hodges Brigmond, age 88, of Douglas, GA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at her residence while surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 22, 1938, the daughter of the late Mr. James Roach and the late Mrs. Martha Roach. Her survivors include: one son, Lealond (Sharon) Hodges Jr. of Port Charlotte, Florida; one daughter, Marie (Jimmy) McDaniel of Douglas, GA; ten grandchildren, Lealond K. Hodges III, Nickie Webb, Angela Lee, Jason Hodges, Ashley Hodges, Adam Hodges, Jimmy (Heveyn) Barber, Kristin (Brad) Burnam, Kevin McDaniel, and Mandi McDaniel; twenty-four great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; along with…
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The GBI has arrested and charged Jerry Alvin Sweat, age 70, of Alma, GA, with Exhibiting Harmful Materials to Minors. Sweat is a former bus monitor for Bacon County Schools. On October 7, 2026, the Bacon County School District Police Department requested the GBI to investigate allegations that Sweat displayed pornographic material to children under the age of 16 while working as a bus monitor. Sweat turned himself in on October 13, 2026, and was booked into the Bacon County Jail. Sweat was terminated from his position by the Bacon County School Board prior to his arrest. This investigation is…
Sharon Lott, age 77, passed away peacefully following a brief illness on October 14, 2026, at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Sharon was born on March 28, 1949, in Douglas, Georgia, to Junior and Polly Joiner. Sharon loved big, laughed often, and knew how to have a good time. She had a fun-loving spirit, a heart full of love, and a way of making everyone around her feel special. She loved her family, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were among her greatest joys. She was our “Nanny” who loved nothing more than family gatherings and making us laugh. She was the…
The Douglas Police Department is providing an update regarding the deaths of five individuals following the October 9, 2026, shooting incident at a residence on Robin Lane. Based on the evidence reviewed to date, investigators believe John Anthony Fabrizio, 64, fatally shot the four victims before dying by suicide. Preliminary findings indicate an apparent murder-suicide. Autopsy results are pending. The four victims have been identified as: Rachel Elizabeth Fabrizio, 64 James Nicholas Fabrizio, 28 Rosaida Figueroa Berrios, 26 William Christopher Fabrizio, 26 Douglas Police Department investigators processed the scene and collected physical and digital evidence. Investigators are not seeking any…
Defendants in five separate cases were issued a total of 870 months’ worth of prison sentences on Oct. 7, 2026. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Judge Lisa Godbey Wood and announced by Margaret E. “Meg” Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The defendants and their sentences are as follows: Christopher Hawkins, a/k/a “Rayshon Hawkins,” 31, of Douglas, was sentenced to 240 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release following his conviction at trial for one count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute Cocaine, Marijuana, Oxycodone, and 500…
Ms. Lana Delorse Jernigan, age 79, of Ambrose, Georgia, passed away unexpectedly Monday morning, October 12, 2026, at Coffee Reginal Medical Center. Lana was born October 30, 1946, in Douglas, Georgia, to the late William Kyte and the late Janet Davis Bounds. She was a medical transcriptionist for many years for Dr. Anderson. She loved fishing and enjoyed crafts, shopping, and spending time with family. She was a member of St. Ella Baptist Church. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her late husband, Charles Leon Jerningan. Lana leaves behind a sister: Deborah Fussell, of Ambrose, Georgia;…
Mr. David Joseph Sasser, age 63, of Pearson, Georgia, passed away Tuesday morning, October 13, 2026, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a recent illness. David was born July 31, 1963, in Starke, Florida, to the late John William Sasser and the late Ida Mae Hagan. He was a self-employed truck driver. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and good cooking, but most of all he loved spending time with his grandchildren. David attended New Vision Church, of Douglas, Georgia. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by six uncles, and one aunt. David leaves behind his loving wife of…
Mr. Johnny Jackson White, III, age 59, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away, Sunday, October 11, 2026, in Waycross, Georgia, after a brief illness. Jackson, as he was affectionately known, was born on November 25, 1966, in Coos Bay, Oregon, to the late Juanita Carlene Horn White and Johnny Jackson White, Jr. Jackson was especially gifted and a skilled craftsman with his hands. He could build, remodel, tear down, and put back together just about anything presented to him, restoring it to perfect working order. He was the owner and operator of several businesses throughout his life. His all-time favorite sport…
On September 24, 2026, staff with the Coffee County Jail were notified that an inmate was experiencing a medical emergency. Jail staff and medical personnel immediately responded and attempted to provide assistance. During the response, it was determined that the inmate identified as 47-year-old Charles Christian Levy had been involved in an altercation with another inmate and had sustained injuries requiring additional medical attention. Levy was transported to a trauma center for treatment. Levy later succumbed to those injuries on October 6, 2026, while receiving medical care. Levy’s family has been notified. Due to the circumstances surrounding the incident, Sheriff…
The GBI has arrested and charged William Jerry Minix II, age 43, of Nicholls, with Sexual Battery Against a Child Under 16. On June 12, 2026, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to investigate allegations involving Minix having inappropriate contact with a child. At the time of the incident, Minix was employed as a firefighter with the Coffee County Fire Department, but the incident did not occur while he was working in that capacity. Minx was arrested on October 9, 2026, and booked into the Coffee County Jail. This investigation is still active and ongoing. Anyone with information…