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Crime prevention, public education and awareness, and stopping criminal activity before it has a chance to occur are utmost priorities for the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office. As with most American law enforcement agencies, Coffee County continues seek ways to increase public safety while respecting the dignity and rights of individuals. One of the terms often associated with crime prevention in law enforcement agencies is the concept of “proactive policing,” an idea thoroughly embraced and practiced by the representatives of this office. Having a proactive approach to law enforcement places our focus towards preventing crimes before they have a chance to occur,…

A suspected cocaine and marijuana dealer was arrested and jailed by Coffee County authorities last week following the execution of a search warrant at a Douglas residence. Detectives with the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit, with assistance from the Douglas Police Department, Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Probation Office, and H.E.A.T officers, conducted the search Wednesday, March 1, at approximately 4:30 p.m. at a home on Magnolia Street. As officers approached the residence, the target of the investigation, Ellars James Manning, 28, fled the scene on foot but was later apprehended. A search of the property led authorities to the discovery…

The SGSC Hawks have been on a winning streak lately. The four wins this past weekend puts them at seven wins in a row. SGSC played host to Southern Union Community College and Lake Michigan on the Douglas Campus at Crider Field. In the sole game against Southern Union on Friday, the Hawks took an early lead in the first inning when Cameron Coffey drove in a run on a double. SGSC continued with strong hits by KC Brown with three, Cameron Coffey with two, and Garrison Hurd, Chandler Rogers, Lincoln Hewett, Jake Bryan, and Steve Walls each collecting one.…

If you are interested in applying for a South Georgia State College Foundation scholarship to help cover your cost of attendance at SGSC for the Fall 2017 – Summer 2018 academic year, please visit www.sgsc.edu/alumni-and-friends/scholarships to print your application. You may also stop by the Office of External Affairs in Richey Hall on the Douglas Campus to obtain an application. The priority deadline for all SGSC Foundation scholarship applications is March 31, 2017. The SGSC Foundation provides assistance for students on the Douglas Campus. There are several scholarship opportunities available annually, including awards for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Military and Veterans Services Coordinator Tabora Temple was among four colleges in the Technical College System of Georgia recognized recently with a resolution by legislators in Atlanta. Temple traveled to the state capital for the special occasion. The resolution recognized Wiregrass Tech for being ranked 13th in the nation as a military-friendly technical college. Temple was named in the resolution for her outstanding work on behalf of our brave veterans and extended best wishes for continued success. Temple had a 24-year career in the Air Force and retired as a Master Sergeant. She shared this about the…

Coffee County sheriff’s deputies arrested 47-year-old Tommy Lee Cooper late Saturday night, March 4, 2017 after Cooper allegedly shattered a windshield and caused other significant damage to a vehicle driven by a former girlfriend during an incident at a local convenience store. Deputies were initially dispatched to Jet Foods, 2595 Highway 221 North, just after 11 p.m. Saturday in reference to an altercation on the premises. Authorities met the complainant at another location a short distance away. The complainant stated Cooper had followed her from inside Jet Foods to the parking lot, where he proceeded to kick the driver’s side…

Saturday afternoon, March 4, the Alma Police Department and the Bacon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Tre Alexander Gibbs, 24, of Alma, for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance with intent to distribute. Gibbs is currently serving a probated sentence for several unrelated drug charges. Gibbs’s arrest is the fourth drug arrest (third for multiple distribution offenses) in Alma since Tuesday, Feb. 28. Law enforcement was following up on a call for service involving Gibbs. A brief investigation led to the discovery of 33 baggies…

Two Coffee County men believed to be responsible for a residential burglary in which several firearms were stolen have been arrested and jailed. Sheriff’s officials responded to a home on Canary Lane on Feb. 9, 2017 in reference to a possible burglary. They later determined that seven firearms had been stolen from the residence. Following an investigation, detectives charged 19-year-old Aaron Steven McGouyrk and 19-year-old Dustin Anthony Purvis with first degree burglary. Six of the seven firearms stolen during this incident have been recovered.

A convicted felon from Wisconsin was jailed on drug and weapons charges last week following the execution of a search warrant by Coffee County drug agents. The Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit, with the assistance of Georgia State Probation, served the warrant on Feb. 28 at 9165 Highway 32 East in Nicholls. The subject of the investigation, 46-year-old Anthony Roth, was found to be growing eight marijuana plants inside the home. Detectives also located five firearms and over 450 rounds of ammunition. Roth has a previous conviction for growing marijuana in Wisconsin. He transferred his probation from Wisconsin to Georgia last year.…

A Coffee County man was charged with methamphetamine possession while authorities were conducting a road check in late February. The Georgia State Patrol, Douglas-Coffee H.E.A.T. Unit, and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office conducted the check on Feb. 24 at the intersection of Carver Church Rd. and Kamara Rd. in Douglas, Ga. A passenger in a vehicle checked, 55-year-old Benjamin Lee Batten, was found to be in possession of approximately 2.5 grams of methamphetamine. The case was turned over to the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit, and Batten was subsequently charged with possession of methamphetamine. Batten was also arrested on an outstanding…