Griffin Judicial Circuit, District Attorney's Office

November 27, 2023

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On May 4, 2022, Donnell Hicks arrived in the early morning for his job as store manager of the CVS pharmacy at 101 Lexington Circle in Peachtree City. He was confronted outside the front entrance by Marlon Jones, with whom he had a personal dispute. After a short discussion, Jones produced a G***k 9mm pistol and fired at Hicks, knocking him wounded to the ground by the entrance. An eyewitness testified that Jones then stood over the body of Donnell Hicks and fired more bullets into his body as he lay on the ground until his gun was empty. Hicks was pronounced dead at the scene and Jones was apprehended by Peachtree City police.

Trial took place the week of October 30, 2023 before Superior Court Judge Rhonda B. Kreuziger. Marlon Jones was found guilty of malice murder, felony murder, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He was sentenced by Judge Kreuziger to life in prison without the possibility of parole on malice murder and a consecutive five years in prison on the possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. The case was investigated by Sergeant Heather Scott and other officers and detectives of the Peachtree City Police Department with the assistance of the GBI State Crime Laboratory.

“This crime rocked our community, and I am so thankful to my dynamic team who prosecuted this case.” District Attorney Broder said of the trial. “My offices will continue to aggressively prosecute violent crime.”

Pictured are Peachtree City Police Detective Thomas Duckett, Sergeant Heather Scott, ADA Dan Hiatt and Detective Sean Ishihara whose diligent efforts helped to successfully prosecute the case.

We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Our offices are closed and will re-open Monday at 8:30am. Enjoy a safe holiday!

“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” —Elmer Davis
We give thanks for all Veterans who bravely serve and have served our country! Our offices will be closed for the holiday on Friday, 11/10, and reopen at 8:30am on Monday.

We are so proud of this group of amazing young people!

The Upson County District Attorney office welcomed trick or treaters today from the Upson County Senior Center. We had so much fun participating in the festivities and enjoyed seeing all the costumes! 🎃

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is soon coming to a close, and last night Promise Place and the Griffin Judicial Circuit Domestic Violence Task Force held the annual Candlelight Vigil to honor the memories of those who have lost their lives to domestic violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, there's help 24 hours a day. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or the Georgia Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-33-HAVEN.

We are so thankful to celebrate this awesome person we are lucky enough to call our Boss!

Our offices are closed today for Columbus Day. We reopen tomorrow, 10/10, at 8:30am.

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On September 22nd, a Spalding County Jury returned guilty verdicts in the State of Georgia v. Isaac Reid, DeQuavion McMullin and Kinesia Harvey.

The jury convicted Reid and McMullin on several counts after a week-long trial. Kinesia Harvey was acquitted. The jury received the case early in the afternoon on Friday and returned verdicts just after 7 pm. The case was tried by Chief Assistant District Attorney David Studdard and Assistant District Attorney Adelle Petersen. The lead Detective on the case was Sgt. Jairreis Williams of the Griffin Police Department.

Isaac Reid was convicted of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Battery and Violation of the Georgia Street Gang and Terrorism Prevention Act. DeQuavion McMullin was convicted of Felony Murder. The Honorable Judge Fletcher Sams sentenced Mr. Reid to Life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 20 years. Judge Sams sentenced Mr. McMullin to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Around 5:40 pm on March 15, 2022, Isaac Reid and DeQuavion McMullin were dropped off in front of 433 North 16th Street in Griffin. They made their way behind the houses in the area and along a path emerging next to a home on Lake Ave. They then fired six shots at Wildarious Draggs, hitting him once in the chest, killing him. The two then made their way back along the path back out to North 16th Street. The crime was partially captured on a surveillance camera positioned on a local business in the area. At trial, the evidence was that Reid and McMullin were attempting to shoot a rival gang member, but instead hit Mr. Draggs.

“Gang violence is destroying lives, and my Circuit will continue to fight hard against those who wish to commit violent crime in the name of and in furtherance of a gang. I am proud of my team and the Griffin Police Department for the work they did on the case.” District Attorney Broder said of the verdict.

Congratulations to Liz Baker on her retirement from the Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Office. We wish you much happiness and you will be missed!

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On September 20th, a Pike County jury returned a guilty verdict in the State of Georgia v. Howatdrick Jamal Jones, a 31-year-old man from Woodbury, Ga. The jury convicted Jones of Armed Robbery. They deliberated for just under 15 minutes. The case was tried by Senior Assistant District Attorney Michael Rogers, and the lead investigator was Leon Alpough from the Pike County Sheriff’s Office. Jones was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Around 5:00 pm on September, 18, 2020, Howatdrick Jamal Jones entered the First Bank of Pike in Concord, Georgia wearing a red baseball cap, red shoes, a surgical mask, and gloves. He approached the teller and handed her a note that read, “Give me the money before I shoot!!!!” The terrified victim complied with his demand as she believed her life was in imminent danger. Jones left the bank on foot with approximately $4,100. Jones’s latent prints left on the bank note were the key piece of evidence that led to his ultimate conviction.

Jones is also implicated in a bank robbery in Meriwether County. The FBI investigated that case, and the charges are pending in federal court. Two FBI Agents did testify at trial.

“I am so thankful to Michael, my Pike County office, the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, the witnesses that testified, and all involved in this case.” District Attorney Broder said of the verdict. “The jury’s verdict sends a resounding message to those who want to enter Pike County to commit crime. Stay out."

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On Monday, September 18, 2023, the case of the State v. Andy Darrell Flournoy and Benjamin Keith Lester, was called to trial in the Superior Court of Spalding County. In lieu of a trial, Andy Lester entered a plea to three counts of Armed Robbery, one count of Aggravated Assault, and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. He was sentenced thirty years in prison followed by ten years of probation. Flournoy’s co-defendant, Benjamin Lester entered a plea to three counts of Robbery as a lesser included offense of Armed Robbery. He was sentenced by the Honorable Ben D. Coker in the Spalding County Superior Court to serve eight years in prison followed by twelve (12) years of probation. The State was represented by Assistant District Attorney Audrey D. Holliday. The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, led by K9 Officer Logan Smith, investigated this case.

At approximately 10:00 PM on April 13, 2023, Flournoy, who was armed with a handgun, and Lester entered the Valero gas station located at North Expressway and Birdie Road wearing masks, and at gunpoint they ordered the store clerk and the store cleaner to the ground in an armed robbery. While Lester kept control of the store cleaner, Flournoy would point the handgun back and forth between the initial two victims to control their movements. Flournoy then ordered the store clerk to give him all the money in the register and to give him her cell phone. Lester ordered the store cleaner to hand over his cell phone as well. During the armed robbery, a customer entered the store and Flournoy pointed the gun at him, ordering him to the ground. Just prior to the armed robbery, K9 Officer, Logan Smith, had seen the defendants come out of the dark wood line with masks around their necks and was suspicious of their activity. Based on his training, experience and instinct, he turned around to go back to the Valero. When Officer Smith entered the parking lot, both suspects were exiting the Valero and when they saw Officer Smith, they began to run, with Flournoy tripping on the curb. Officer Smith saw the firearm when Flournoy exited the store and when the defendants started to run, he released K9 Officer Rambo to assist in the apprehension of the suspects. Officer Smith was quickly able to apprehend Lester behind the store and K9 Officer Rambo quickly apprehended Flournoy behind the store. Fellow Spalding County Sheriff’s Deputies and Griffin Police Department Officers arrived thereafter to assist Officer Smith in securing the defendants and recovering the firearm. An additional mask and firearm were located in the wood line as well.

“The perceptiveness and follow-through of Officer Smith in recognizing something was not right was key to immediately apprehending the suspects in this armed robbery. Also key to securing a conviction and ensuring Flournoy and Lester, as well as other criminals who attempt armed robberies of convenience stores are taken off the streets of Spalding County, was the security cameras at the Valero store. There were multiple cameras throughout the store and on the perimeter of the store that captured this armed robbery from the beginning to the end. This crime was terrifying for the victims and will continue to cause fear for the victims as they move forward with their lives. Because of the overwhelming evidence in this case, the three victims will not have to go through the additional trauma of participating in a trial and Flournoy and Lester will have plenty of time to reconsider their life paths while sitting in prison. I am grateful to the K9 Officer Smith, K9 Officer Rambo and the members of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office that assisted in this case. I am also grateful for the assistance of Investigator Misty Gresham and Victim-Advocate Dericka Pruitt of the District Attorney’s Office for all their hard work in preparing this case for trial.” ADA Holliday stated. She continued by stating, “this community cannot tolerate the actions of individuals like Andy Flournoy and Benjamin Lester who think it is okay to terrorize innocent victims for their own gain”

“I echo the sentiments of ADA Holliday. My office will continue to tell those in this Circuit that pursue their own financial gain by committing armed robberies that we will not tolerate it. This case also speaks to the importance of local businesses having security cameras on their property, as that was one of the keys to immediately solving this case” District Attorney Marie Broder said of the crime. “My offices will continue to partner with law enforcement to ensure that those that commit violent crimes are held responsible for their actions.

Congratulations to the Municipal Court of Thomaston on their award for Clearance Rate Excellence from the Judicial Council of Georgia! Upson County District Attorney Office ADA Jon Richardson is the ADA over the city court and is often assisted by ADA John McAbee. The award is presented to the top 10% of Georgia courts and is a key indicator in the court's ability to effectively manage its caseload.

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On August 15-18, 2023, trial was held before the Hon. Rhonda B. Kreuziger on the case of the State v. Jahil Malik Ekanemesang. The jury returned a verdict of guilty on the charge of Aggravated Assault. The case was tried by Senior Assistant District Attorney Dan Hiatt and Sgt. David Gunter was the lead detective from Fayette County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Ekanemesang was sentenced to 20 years – the first 10 years to be served in prison followed by 10 years on probation.

This case occurred during the overnight hours of July 28, 2021. On that morning, the victim left his home and family in Palmetto to drive to a job at the Fayette Pavillion. As he made the turn from Hwy 279 to Hwy 314, a Honda Accord approached on his driver’s side and two shots were fired striking his vehicle near the driver’s side tire area. One bullet entered the vehicle and struck the victim in the foot. After the victim was transported for emergency medical treatment, crime scene investigators of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office located two cartridge cases in the area described by the victim as where the shooting occurred and his vehicle was examined for further evidence collection. Using other investigative means, detectives of the FCSO developed a vehicle of interest in the shooting- a Honda Accord- which they tracked to 120 South Waterford Drive in Fayetteville. Approaching the residents of that home about 6 hours after the shooting, they learned that the Honda Accord was customarily driven by Jahil Ekanemesang. In speaking with him at the home, he admitted taking two friends to Clayton County on Hwy 279 that night but declined to identify them and ended his interview with the detectives. When a search warrant was executed at the residence, a loaded 9mm pistol with an extended magazine was located in a bookbag in the suspect’s bedroom. The victim subsequently had surgery to remove the bullet lodged in his foot and that bullet was recovered by the FCSO as evidence. Both the cartridge cases recovered at the scene of the shooting and the bullet removed from the victim’s foot were submitted to the GBI State Crime Laboratory. A ballistics expert determined that the cartridge cases and the bullet were fired from the pistol recovered from the defendant’s bedroom.

District Attorney Marie G. Broder stated, “Our deepest thanks to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case. These senseless shootings must stop. We will continue to fight to make sure that those responsible for them will be held accountable."

Have a safe and happy Labor Day! Our offices are closed for the holiday and will reopen at 8:30am on Tuesday, 9/5.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to send in their resume for consideration. At this time, we have contacted candidates for interviews and are no longer accepting resumes. Please watch the page for future openings.

The District Attorney's Office has an opening for a full-time Legal Assistant in our Upson County Office. This is a State of Georgia position and has a full benefits package. Previous experience as a Legal Assistant is preferred.
Send your cover letter and resume to Keely Haynie at:
[email protected]

Griffin Judicial Circuit The District Attorney’s Office in the Griffin Judicial Circuit has an opening for a Legal Secretary in our Upson County office. The following duties are normal for this position; other duties may be required and […]

Today Superior Court Judge Scott Ballard swore in our new Assistant District Attorney Kevin Ofchus. We are glad to have you as part of our team Kevin!

Superior Court Judge Rhonda Krueziger recently swore in our newest employee, Assistant District Attorney Lilly Nickels. Welcome to our team Lilly!

At the end of May, the District Attorney’s Office was made aware of urgent needs by Promise Place, the domestic violence shelter program for the Griffin Judicial Circuit. Seeing that there was a need, our office wanted to find a way to get the community involved in meeting this need. In June, we challenged the law enforcement agencies throughout the Griffin Circuit in a friendly competition to collect donations at their locations from their local communities through the month of July. And they came through! What an amazing community the Griffin Judicial Circuit is! These pictures really do not do justice to the amount of donations that were received. On August 3, 2023, the Fayetteville Home Depot donated a moving van and four personnel to help and met members of the DA’s office and the law enforcement community at the Fayette County Courthouse to load up the donations and take to Promise Place.
Peachtree City Police Department collected the most amount of donations, with Spalding County Sheriff’s Office in second place and the Thomaston Police Department in third place. Each of these agencies had truckloads of donations that were brought to the Fayette County Courthouse. These agencies, in addition to the Fayetteville Police Department also assisted in loading the Home Depot van and unloading it at Promise Place and we cannot thank them enough for their contributions and assistance. We thank all the law enforcement agencies within the circuit that collected donations.
The communities in Upson, Pike, Spalding and Fayette Counties came together in a huge way for an amazing cause and should be proud of themselves. Our office is extremely proud of them!

Congratulations to Chris Hosey, the newly appointed Director of the GBI. Governor Brian Kemp conducted the swearing-in ceremony on August 1st with District Attorney Broder in attendance.

Today was "DAY ONE in the District" with Spalding County students returning to school. District Attorney Broder served with other community leaders at Jackson Road Elementary School in Griffin this morning, welcoming and cheering on the arriving students as they begin the new school year. Community leaders were at all the Spalding County Schools today, opening car doors, greeting bus riders and escorting the children into the schools.

It has been such a busy week and a highlight has been to provide Mr. Farlow, a teacher at Jackson Road Elementary School in Griffin, with school supplies for his classroom this year. Please remember teachers as they embark on this next school year. They do so much for the children and pay for so much out of their own pockets. Our appreciation and thanks goes out to all of you!

District Attorney Broder gave a presentation to the Kiwanis Club of Pike County in Zebulon today at their regular meeting. The District Attorney spoke on the role of the Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office and current crime statistics in the circuit. Pictured with D.A. Broder is Jason Brisendine, Secretary/Treasurer of the Pike Kiwanis Club.
If you would like to have the District Attorney speak to your civic group email her assistant at: [email protected]

It's Back to School Time Again!🚌
The employees of the Griffin Judicial D.A. Office provided the children who are residents of the Promise Place Domestic Violence Shelter school supplies to help them get a great start on their school year. Promise Place provides shelter and services to victims of domestic violence who are residents of the Griffin Judicial Circuit. Contact them if you would like more information on their services:
www.promiseplace.org

Come Work With Us!
We have an opening in our Fayette County Office for an Administrative Assistant. We are looking for an outstanding professional to join our team. The position is full-time with the State of Georgia and includes a generous benefits package.
For consideration submit your resume with references to:
[email protected]
The last day to apply is 8/7/23. Due to the number of resumes we receive, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.
For further information on the job please visit:
https://pacga.org/employment-opportunities/griffin-judicial-circuit-4/

The District Attorney and Assistant District Attorney's from the Griffin Judicial Circuit DA's Office attended the 2023 Prosecuting Attorneys' Council Summer Conference this week. It has been an amazing week for the prosecutor's, attending training to enable them to continue their work in keeping our circuit's citizens safe.

Welcome college intern Dylan to our Pike County Office! We are so glad to have you working with us this summer!

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July!

Today was the dedication of the City of Griffin Kevin Jordan Public Safety Complex. Officer Jordan was a member of the City of Griffin Police Department and was killed while attempting an arrest in 2014. Time may have passed but you will not be forgotten. 💙

Welcome college intern D.J. to our Spalding County Office! We are so glad to be working with you this summer!

On Thursday, June 8, 2023, after a four-day jury trial in Upson County, Shekhar Rao Suryavamsham, a 39-year-old man from Thomaston, was found guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Knife During the Commission of a Felony. He was sentenced by the Honorable Ben J. Miller in the Upson County Superior Court to serve life in prison with the possibility of parole for the murder plus five years to serve consecutively to the life sentence for the Possession of a Knife During the Commission of a Felony. The State was represented by Assistant District Attorney Audrey D. Holliday and Jonathan P. Richardson. The Thomaston Police Department, led by Cpt. Monica Snipes, investigated this case.

The case stemmed from Shekhar Suryavamsham having a perceived business dispute with the victim, Mohammed “Seth” Mohiuddin. In the early morning hours of November 1, 2020, Suryavamsham, armed with a knife, which he was not known to carry, and having the intent to harm Mohiuddin, went to the home of Mohiuddin on Crawley Street in Thomaston to confront him about this perceived dispute. Gopichand Pinnaka road with Suryavamsham to Crawley Street. Mohiuddin met Suryavamsham outside of his home and after a brief exchange of words, a fist fight between the two ensued. Within approximately two minutes of this fight, Suryavamsham drew his knife and stabbed Mohiuddin three times, slashed his wrist almost to the bone and caused other lacerations. Suryavamsham immediately drove away from the scene, dropped Pinnaka off at his home and then hid his vehicle behind a vacant house on Greene Street. Mohiuddin was able to make a dying declaration to officers and EMTs on scene about the two men who had come to his home and a witness on scene was able to identify a possible suspect vehicle. Cpt. Snipes and her team were able to identify the suspect vehicle and the Defendant within a few hours. Key evidence in this case was the victim’s blood and DNA on Suryavamsham’s clothing and the victim’s blood and DNA on a folding knife located in the Defendant’s hidden vehicle as well as witness testimony. Seth, a native of India, had resided in this Thomaston for over a decade and was a loved member of this community.

“Preparing for this trial took months and was a amazing team effort. I am grateful to the members of the Thomaston Police Department, ADA Richardson, Victim-Advocates Shirley Reeves and Hannah Kennedy, Investigator Rick Reeves, and Samantha Smith of the District Attorney’s Office for all their hard work and long hours preparing this case for trial.” ADA Holliday stated. She continued by stating, “this community cannot tolerate the actions of individuals like Shekhar Suryavamsham who brings a knife with an intention to harm to a fist fight, and the citizens of Upson County agreed when issuing the guilty verdicts.”
“I echo the sentiments of ADA Holliday. My office will continue to tell those in this Circuit that are inclined to resolve conflict with violence that we will not tolerate it and that we will continuously fight for justice for victims of violent crimes” District Attorney Marie Broder said of the crime. “I am so proud of my team on this case, and my offices will continue to partner with law enforcement to ensure that those that commit violent crimes are held responsible for their actions.”

Welcome college intern Sara to our Fayette County Office! We are so glad to have you working with us this summer!

Upson County has broken ground on their new Judicial Center⚖️

This is National Police Week when we honor those Officers who serve our communities and remember those fallen Officers who gave all. Thank someone in Law Enforcement this week for their service.

Recently members of the Pike County and Upson County Child Fatality Review (CFR) Committees, including the Committee Chair, Assistant District Attorney, Audrey D. Holliday, attended annual training at the Houston County Courthouse. Georgia law tasks the District Attorney of each circuit with conducting, or appointing someone within the office to conduct child fatality reviews all injury, sleep-related, and unexpected/suspicious deaths of children under the age of 18. The purpose of the Child Fatality Review Committee is neither prosecutorial nor punishment based. The main purpose of Georgia’s CFR program is to prevent deaths. We do that by reviewing the deaths of children within the Griffin Judicial Circuit to determine if the death could have been prevented, what measures could have been taken to prevent the death, if referrals for resources are needed for the family and to educate the community on how to prevent child deaths. Committee members consist of the County Coroner, local law enforcement officials, Promise Place domestic violence shelter, Advo-Kids CASA, juvenile court judges, the County Board of Education, County Mental Health, and the Department of Public Health.

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On April 13, 2023, in Fayette County Superior Court, Christopher Anthony Smith pled guilty to Aggravated Child Molestation, Child Molestation, False Imprisonment, Aggravated Assault and Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Superior Court of Fayette County. The Honorable W. Fletcher Sams sentenced Smith to life imprisonment followed by 20 years of probation. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Warren Sellers.

Had the case gone to trial, the State was prepared to show that during September, October and early November of 2022, a mother and her 9-year-old daughter were living with the Defendant in Fayetteville, Fayette County, Georgia. On the morning of November 6, 2022, the mother came home from work to find the Defendant in bed with the 9-year-old child. Both were naked. The child was frightened. When the mother went to call 911, the Defendant became angry and took her phone away. She left the residence, and he went outside and forced her back inside. He then grabbed a knife and lunged toward her with it. She moved but received a puncture wound in the arm. Deputy Sheriffs of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office responded to the neighbor’s call. Upon their arrival, the mother begged them to help her, and her daughter, get away from the Defendant. The child then came to the door shaking in fear. Both mother and her daughter exited the residence.

The Defendant grabbed a butcher knife and threatened law enforcement that if anyone came inside they would be killed. The Defendant then barricaded himself in the home. After several hours, law enforcement officers were able to remove the knife from the Defendant and take him into custody.

Detective Taweyla Wilson of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. She searched the Defendant’s phone pursuant to a search warrant and discovered images which revealed that on several different occasions the Defendant had forced the child to perform oral s*x.

Sellers said the following about the case, “the sentence was appropriate considering the Defendant’s violent attack on the mother and the child, his threat of attack on law enforcement officers and the fact that the child will most likely suffer the negative effects of the Defendant’s abuse for the rest of her life.”

DA Broder also stated, “my offices will continue to aggressively pursue those that pray on innocent children. Their deplorable behavior will not be tolerated.”

Today is National Administrative Professionals Day! We would like to celebrate and thank the administrative professionals in our office who go above and beyond to keep our agency running smoothly. You are the unsung heroes of our office! Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the citizens of the Griffin Judicial Circuit. We appreciate you today and every day!