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West freshman’s piccolo pilfered

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By: Isabel Hughes
WEST FORSYTH -- A Forsyth County deputy was dispatched to West Forsyth High School on Monday evening after the sheriff’s office received a report that a freshman’s piccolo, valued at $1,100, went missing one time at band camp. The deputy arrived at the school just after 9 p.m. and was told the band had been practicing on the football field when it started to rain, according to a sheriff’s office incident report. Not wanting the instruments to get wet, the school’s band director had the students place their instruments under the stadium while the rain passed. Later, when the students went to pick up their instruments, a freshman reportedly discovered her piccolo was gone. After searching the field and surrounding trash cans to no avail, she concluded it had been stolen, the report said. There were no witnesses to the theft. The director posted a message on the band’s social media site saying if the instrument was returned by the following morning, there would be no questions asked. As of Thursday, the instrument had not been returned.

Gainesville McDonald's employee fired for refusing to serve law officers

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By: Gainesville Times
GAINESVILLE -- The Hall County Sheriff’s Office said the McDonald’s at Jesse Jewell and Limestone parkways has terminated an employee after “the employee refused service to uniformed law enforcement officers on this date,” according to a Facebook comment.“Because of this, the McDonald’s restaurant in question learned of an internal employee issue and dealt with it expeditiously by terminating the employee,” Lt. Chris Dale wrote in a news release. He added that “the local McDonald’s franchise owner has always been a friend to law enforcement in the area, and we look forward to enjoying a positive relationship with the company for years to come.” McDonald’s officials did not immediately return requests for comment.

Gainesville woman charged with pimping 15-year-old girl

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By: Gainesville Times
HALL COUNTY -- A Gainesville woman is charged with pimping a 15-year-old girl in June, police said. “The 15-year-old has come forth to us with the allegations,” Gainesville Police Sgt. Kevin Holbrook said. Tammy Lowann Baker, 48, was charged with pimping. She was booked into the Hall County Jail under a $1,300 bond. Holbrook said the victim was acquainted with Baker before the alleged incident. Tammy Baker “made arrangements for the 15-year-old and an adult male subject to meet for prostitution and/or sexual acts in exchange” for money, he said. The alleged incident occurred in late June, but investigators are working to determine if any more incidents happened. Holbrook said the case is open with possible additional charges.“With these cases, it’s important for us to move as quickly as we can to take the predators off of the streets,” he said.

42 bags of meth found at northeast Hall home

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By: Gainesville Times
HALL COUNTY -- Authorities say they found 2.5 pounds of methamphetamine packaged for sale at a home on Old Cornelia Highway. The meth was found Tuesday in 42 1-ounce bags during a search of the home in the 2000 block, according to Sgt. Don Scalia with the Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad. Scalia said the street value of the drugs is $114,000. A small amount of marijuana, $6,273 in cash, three firearms, scales and packaging materials also were found, Scalia said. Four people were charged with trafficking meth and possession of meth with the intent to distribute: Larry Dwayne Fricks, 25, of Gainesville; Victor Joseph Lafountain, 43, of Gainesville; Bobby Joshua Fowler, 25, of Gainesville; and Chelsea L. Mangum, 25, of Gainesville. Fricks and Lafountain also face charges of possession of a gun by a felon. Fricks, Lafountain and Mangum were charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana. The suspects have been booked in to the Hall County Jail. No additional charges or arrests are expected.

Missing Hall County 12-year-old found safe

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By: FCN Regional Staff
A missing Hall County 12-year-old was found safe in Spalding County on Sunday, authorities said. An anonymous call to the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office helped law enforcement locate Brooklyn Smith, her father Stephen Spires and Spires’ girlfriend Carmen Clay. The Spalding Sheriff’s Office took Spires and Clay into custody. Smith was taken into protective custody by the Hall County Department of Family and Children Services, according to a news release from the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. Spalding County is about an hour south of Atlanta. Authorities previously said they believed Smith was “at risk” with her father and her father’s girlfriend. Despite Smith making phone contact with her mother and news media outlets “claiming to be in the company of unidentified friends,” the Hall County Sheriff’s Office had said Smith was traveling with the pair in an unknown vehicle towing a large camper. The trio were reportedly seen in Cartersville on Aug. 1, according to the Hall Sheriff’s Office. Smith left her residence in Hall County at 2:28 a.m. July 27, and her mother witnessed her getting into a black or dark passenger car.

Father of missing Hall girl faces charges

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By: Gainesville Times
HALL COUNTY — The father of a Hall County 12-year-old who was missing for a week and a half faces multiple felony charges. His daughter was found Sunday, Aug. 7 with him and his girlfriend by the McDonough Police Department and the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office at the Scottish Inn in McDonough. Steven Spires, 31, of Locust Grove, was in the Spalding County Jail as of 5 p.m. Monday.“The arrest followed a brief standoff when Spires initially refused to exit the hotel room to surrender to law enforcement personnel,” according to a Spalding County Sheriff’s Office release. Authorities previously said they believed Brooklyn Smith was “at risk” and traveling with Spires and his girlfriend, Carmen Clay, 19. Clay was charged by McDonough police for interference with custody. The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office release said there may be possible charges from the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. Despite Smith making phone contact with her mother and news media outlets “claiming to be in the company of unidentified friends,” the Hall County Sheriff’s Office had said Smith was traveling with the pair in an unknown vehicle towing a large camper. The trio was reportedly seen in Cartersville on Aug. 1, according to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. Smith left her residence in Hall County at 2:28 a.m. July 27, and her mother witnessed her getting into a black or dark passenger car. Smith was taken into protective custody by the Hall County Division of Family and Children Services, according to a news release from the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.

Dawson man arrested for hit-and-run in northeast Forsyth

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By: Isabel Hughes
NORTHEAST FORSYTH -- A Dawsonville man with an outstanding warrant for identity fraud was arrested Saturday for a hit-and-run in northeast Forsyth that injured four people, including himself. Jay Fields, 23, was driving on Truman Mountain Road off Dawsonville Highway (Hwy. 53) about 11:27 a.m. August 6 with three passengers when he reportedly crossed the center line and almost struck a Forsyth County deputy head on, according to a Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office incident report. The report stated the officer radioed the sheriff’s office about the incident and that a deputy responded, waiting down the road for Fields to drive by. However, when the car didn’t pass, the deputy apparently drove down the street and found Fields’ car had veered off the road and crashed into a tree. The passengers were “visibly injured,” and the front passenger had to be extracted from the car by the Forsyth County Fire Department, the report said. Two of the passengers were transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center. According to the report, a witness told the deputy she saw Fields exit the vehicle, stumble and run away. The deputy then called a police dog and another officer, the report said. The second deputy and the dog found Fields hiding under a deck about 15-20 meters from the crash scene. Deputies found through their data system that Fields had a Forsyth County warrant for identity fraud, as well as a suspended license for failure to appear in court. He was transported to the Forsyth County Jail for hit and run, driving on a suspended license and failure to maintain lane, where he remained as of Tuesday afternoon on a $3,745 bond.

Meincke sworn in as Forsyth County Associate Juvenile Judge

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By: Newsroom Staff
FORSYTH COUNTY -- Associate Juvenile Court Judge Randall Meincke was sworn in last week as the first full-time judge for the position in Forsyth County. He is the county’s 10th judge, joining Chief Juvenile Court Judge J. Russell Jackson as the county’s only other full-time juvenile judge. Meincke took his oath on Friday, Aug. 5 at the Forsyth County Juvenile Courthouse Annex. Jackson and Chief Superior Court Judge Jeffrey S. Bagley officiated the ceremony.

Man attempts armed robbery at The Collection in south Forsyth

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By: Isabel Hughes
SOUTH FORSYTH – A suspect remains at large after he attempted an armed robbery at BB&T Bank at The Collection at Forsyth Wednesday morning. According to Deputy Epifanio Rodriguez, a spokesman for the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, when the manager and teller arrived to open the branch off Peachtree Parkway around 8 a.m., a black male in blue jeans, a gray T-shirt and a panty hose mask was hiding in the bushes near the entrance. The man was also reportedly armed with a black handgun, Rodriguez said. Bank employees were able to retreat and call 911, which prompted the suspect to flee the scene in a black SUV that had been parked at the Red Robin restaurant next door, he said. The sheriff’s office has not released further details on the man, including any physical descriptions or age range. It is not believed the area remains in danger.

Two West Hall football players charged with shoplifting

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By: FCN Regional Staff
FLOWERY BRANCH - Two West Hall High School football players are accused of taking smartphone accessories from a Flowery Branch department store, police said. Tyrese Jakare Osborne, 17, and Bertin Georges Lira, 18, were charged with misdemeanor shoplifting. Both were booked into the Hall County Jail and then released. According to a Flowery Branch Police report, two men and two women entered the Target on Spout Springs Road around 2:30 p.m. Aug. 4. According to the police report, a Target loss prevention officer told police “one of the male subjects gets a pair of scissors and removes an iPhone 6/6s plus rechargeable case from a locking peg hook.”“He then hands the scissors to the other male subject and he exits the electronics section,” the report stated. While one Target employee followed the first suspect, another man reportedly took the scissors and used them “to detach a iPhone 6/6s plus rechargeable case from a locking peg hook and then enter another (aisle) and dump the scissors.”“(The employee) then sees this subject select a power bank and remove it from its package and the subject then leaves the empty package on the shelf,” according to the report. The suspects reportedly placed the items in their pockets and walked past the registers without paying.“The two male subjects walk to a nearby store where they are picked up by the two female subjects and they exit the parking lot,” according to the report. In the video, police said one of the suspects was wearing a West Hall shirt. A school resource officer identified the two suspects as Lira and Osborne, and that they both play football. Police then spoke with West Hall Principal Scott Justus and football coach Tony Lotti. When contacted, Lotti declined to comment. Justus said he was unable to comment on student matters. Osborne also declined to comment when contacted. Attempts to reach Lira for comment were unsuccessful.

Woman with flesh-eating bacteria suing Northeast Georgia Health System

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By: Gainesville Times
GAINESVILLE -- Gainesville-based Northeast Georgia Health System is accused of medical malpractice in a lawsuit involving a Gwinnett County woman who suffered amputations as part of her battle with flesh-eating bacteria. The lawsuit, filed in Gwinnett County State Court by Cindy Martinez and her husband, David, says that Cindy Martinez sought medical care at an Urgent Care center on Dacula Road in Gwinnett on May 24, 2015. The complaint alleges “that her vital signs and symptoms clearly revealed that she was suffering from a serious systemic infection and sepsis,” states a press release filed the couple’s lawyer, Render C. Freeman. The doctor and nurse on duty at the center “failed to recognize and treat this obvious infection,” the suit further alleges.“The resultant 24-hour delay in treatment of her systemic infection allowed it to progress further and ultimately made the amputations necessary in order to save her life,” according to the press release. She underwent amputations of both of her legs below her knees, her right arm above the elbow, large amounts of tissue and muscle on her left back and side, and portions of each of the fingers on her left hand.“Allegedly, had proper care been provided at the … Urgent Care facility, no amputations would have been necessary.” Cindy Martinez “would have continued to lead a normal life, raising her two young children,” the press release states. Her medical expenses have exceeded $1.6 million and her future medical and life care expenses will cost as much as $8 million. Additionally, she will incur lost wages of approximately $2 million over her remaining life.“I’ve never been involved in a lawsuit before, and I’m nervous about it, but I don’t want what happened to me to happen to anyone else,” she said in the press release. Northeast Georgia Health System, meanwhile, is declining to comment.“We can’t comment on pending litigation,” spokeswoman Melissa Tymchuk said.

Police release clothing description connected to bones found along I-985

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By: FCN Regional Staff
Gwinnett County Police on Friday released information about clothing connected to a woman’s skull and bones found July 29 along Interstate 985 in Buford. Investigators are working to identify the bones, which they believe belong to a woman between 20 and 30 years old, though they are accepting tips for those outside that age range. The clothing found was a large black Miley Cyrus hoodie, small black Victoria’s Secret pants reading “Love Pink” on the leg and size 7 pink Nike Air Max Cage shoes. Based on the decomposition, the woman died about six months ago, according to authorities. No Gwinnett County Police missing person case matches the remains, so the office is looking to surrounding departments.“By giving a name to the bones, we can begin the process of determining the events in her life that ultimately led to her death,” Cpl. Michele Pihera wrote in a news release. Anyone with information is asked to call Gwinnett County’s criminal investigations division at 770-513-5300 or use the Crime Stoppers anonymous tipline at 404-577-8477. Tipsters that give information leading to an arrest and indictment can receive a reward up to $2,000.

Dawsonville woman indicted on meth trafficking

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By: Isabel Hughes
A Dawsonville woman accused of trafficking methamphetamine — and concealing it in a can of peaches — has been indicted on various drug charges by a Forsyth County Grand Jury. Lorrie Dianne Klein, who was 46 at the time of her arrest, made headlines in April when she was arrested with nearly 100 grams of methamphetamine — or an estimated 1,000 doses — hidden in a can of peaches that she had altered to create a concealment container, said Deputy Epifanio Rodriguez, a spokesman for the sheriff’s office, at the time. She was also reportedly found with 10 grams of marijuana and other drug-related items, he said. On April 8, Klein was driving on John Burruss Road when a deputy pulled her over for a cracked windshield and for failing to stay in her lane of traffic, according to a sheriff’s office incident report. A police dog was brought on scene and alerted deputies to the drugs, Rodriguez said. Klein was then arrested and turned over to Forsyth County Jail. Klein faces three charges related to the arrest: trafficking in methamphetamine; possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, according to an Aug. 8 indictment report. Klein has had previous run-ins with the law, including jail time. She served more than a year in the Arrendale State Prison after being convicted for possession of methamphetamine in March of 2007, according to CBS46. She has also previously been arrested for driving under the influence, possession of marijuana and fraud. Forsyth County Judge David L. Dickinson will preside over the case, for which no trial date has been set.

Police: 2 suspects used motion picture money for lawn equipment

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By: FCN Regional Staff
Two suspects used $1,000 of fraudulent, “motion picture” money to buy lawn equipment last month at a Buford Wal-Mart, police said. Gwinnett County Police are hoping to identify the man and the woman seen on surveillance cameras July 19 at the Sardis Church Road Wal-Mart. The money used has the phrase “motion picture use only” printed on both sides of the bill. Police said the two suspects made the purchase around 3-4 p.m. July 19 and gave the cashier $1,000 of fraudulent money.“The suspects used the fake money to buy lawn equipment,” Cpl. Michele Pihera wrote in a news release. “Later that day, the female returned one of the items at another Wal-Mart for cash.” The cashier accepting the money “quit her job shortly after the incident,” Pihera wrote. The first suspect is a black man last seen wearing a pink shirt, khaki shorts, a white Chicago Bulls hat and white sneakers. The second suspect is a white woman with glasses seen wearing a black shirt and black pants who also has tattoos on both arms and her chest. The vehicle used is a red four-door hatchback. Anyone with information is asked to call Gwinnett County Police’s detectives at 770-513-5300 or use the anonymous CrimeStoppers tipline at 404-577-8477. Tipsters giving information leading to an arrest and indictment can receive a reward up to $2,000.

Former West Hall coach indicted on charge from relationship with student

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By: FCN Regional Staff
A former West Hall High School boys basketball coach was indicted Wednesday for allegedly having sex with a student. Zachary Douglas Swansey, 27, was indicted on a charge of sexual assault by person with disciplinary authority. Attorney William Kitchens Jr. declined to comment. According to the indictment, the alleged offense occurred between Jan. 9 and May 5. Swansey is accused of having sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old student. The Hall County Sheriff’s Office said Swansey had engaged in a consensual, sexual relationship with the student. Swansey submitted a letter of resignation in May. The school district sent a statement at the time of Swansey’s arrest that school administrators investigated rumors about the alleged relationship. Swansey was the head boys basketball coach for one year, as well as an online learning teacher.

Three indicted on murder charges in Gainesville apartment shooting

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By: FCN Regional Staff
Three men have been charged with felony murder in an indictment in alleged connection to a fatal April shooting. Brandon Scott King, 27, Cheslen Dequan Bell, 20, both of Gainesville, and Kevin Michael Turner, 28, of Gillsville, were charged Wednesday with felony murder and aggravated assault from an alleged shooting April 11 in Gainesville. Jaquerian Harrison, 21, of Gainesville, was found shot multiple times at the Orchard Brook Apartments off of McEver Road in Gainesville. A fourth person, Frederick Deshun Cheek, 17, of Gainesville, was also in the indictment and charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. According to the indictment, Cheek is accused of summoning Bell, King and Turner “to come to his location for the purpose and intent of committing said crime.” Bell, King and Turner are also charged with violation of the gang statute for allegedly being associated with the Crips. King was charged additionally under the gang statute for allegedly “occupying a position of leadership in said gang,” according to the indictment. Attempts to reach Bell’s attorney Lee Parks and King’s attorney Brett Mizerak for comment were unsuccessful. Turner’s attorney Rose Priddy declined to comment. Superior Court Judge Bonnie Oliver recently set a $2 million bond for King and a $1 million bond for Bell. No contact information was available for Cheek in the Hall County Comprehensive Justice Information System.

Suspect runs after traffic stop, schools lock down in south Forsyth

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By: Isabel Hughes
SOUTH FORSYTH - Forsyth County deputies have taken two men into custody after one fled a traffic stop Tuesday afternoon. A deputy pulled over a car on Atlanta Highway near Mullinax Road and the driver jumped out and ran, according to Deputy Epifanio Rodriguez, a spokesman for the sheriff's office. The passenger was taken into custody while deputies established a perimeter to find the suspect, Rodriguez said. Out of precaution, Midway Elementary was put on a code yellow lockdown, a sheriff’s office Facebook post said. The Covenant Christian Academy on Post Road was also placed on lockdown, according to a later edit in the post. Rodriguez said the suspect, a black male, was found hiding under a car in a nearby neighborhood and arrested, and the school lockdowns were lifted shortly thereafter.

Baby’s broken bones lead to charges for Gainesville babysitter

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By: FCN Regional Staff
A Gainesville woman was arrested Wednesday in connection with a 5-month-old child who, in the course of a month, fractured three leg bones and an arm bone, according to authorities. Babysitter Robin Carter Capulin, 38, “ failed to seek medical attention for the baby and failed to notify the baby’s mother of the injuries,” according to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. The baby fractured a right femur, left and right tibia and left humerus between May 11 and June 11 at Capulin’s home on Rolling Ridge Drive in East Hall County, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Capulin is charged with second degree cruelty to children and is in custody at the Hall County Jail. According to Georgia code, that charge is used “when such person with criminal negligence causes a child under the age of 18 cruel or excessive physical or mental pain.”

Katt Williams charged with battery in Los Angeles

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By: Newsroom Staff
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles prosecutors have charged Katt Williams with misdemeanor battery over an altercation he had with a woman in a parking lot last month. City attorney spokesman Frank Mateljan says Williams’ case was due for arraignment Thursday. Williams, who faces up to six months in jail if convicted, was not required to attend the hearing. The 44-year-old comedian was arrested July 24 outside the Sportsmen’s Lodge banquet hall and hotel after a female employee said he hurt her. Williams’ attorney Shawn Holley declined comment, saying she had not yet received potential evidence in the case. The comedian has been arrested several times in Georgia this year, mostly around Gainesville, in connection with several altercations and fights, including a Feb. 29 incident at Leslie’s Pool Supplies and another at a March 26 soccer game at Melrose Apartments. Charges are pending in Hall County Superior Court.

Weapons taken after truck smashes into Buford store

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By: FCN Regional Staff
BUFORD - A pickup truck smashed through a Buford business Sunday morning, followed by suspects taking rifles and pistols from the store. Security video at Dead Center Indoor Gun Range, located at 1759 Buford Highway, showed a full-size gray Dodge truck with a hard-shell camper top smash through a wall and window, according to a Gwinnett County Police press release. The suspects then went into the store and took the weapons. The truck was seen leaving the front parking lot and driving north on Buford Highway, police said. The business is between Buford Drive/Ga. 20 and South Lee Street. Police were alerted to the incident by an alarm from the business at 5:15 a.m. Upon arrival, officers found “a heavily damaged front wall with a large hole leading into the business,” the press release states. Gwinnett Police said they can’t release the video yet as detectives are reviewing it. Authorities are looking for a total of five suspects. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call police at 770-513-5300. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call 404-577-8477 or visit crimestoppersatlanta.org. Anonymous tipsters at the number or site can receive up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment. The case number is 16-077510.
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