Press Releases

Treutlen County, GA (July 10, 2023) – The GBI is seeking information about a two-year-old homicide investigation in Treutlen County, GA. On Saturday, June 19, 2021, at about 2:00 a.m., the Treutlen County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) asked the GBI to investigate the death of Harvey Glen Harris, age 31, of Wrightsville, GA.  Another man, Cameron Harden, age 24, of Soperton, GA, was also injured during the incident.

Douglas, GA (July 10, 2023) – On Thursday, July 6, 2023, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit arrested and charged William Zachary Tilley, age 19, of Coffee County, GA, with six counts of sexual exploitation of children and two counts of aggravated child molestation

Commerce, GA (7/10/2023) –  The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Commerce, Jackson County, Georgia. The City of Commerce Police Department asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on Monday, July 10, 2023. One man was shot and injured.  His current condition is unknown. No officers were injured in this incident.

Augusta, GA (July 9, 2023) –  The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Augusta, Georgia. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on July 8, 2023. One man was shot and killed. One Richmond County Sheriff’s deputy was injured in this incident. 

Jackson and Banks Counties (July 7, 2023) - Following a several months-long drug investigation into a fentanyl distribution organization operating in Jackson and Banks Counties, five people were charged with multiple felony drug offenses.  

Cordele, GA (July 5, 2023) –  The GBI is investigating an incident that led to the death of Crisp County Sheriff’s Deputy Tyee Browne, age 26, of Macon County, GA, and an officer involved shooting. 

Tattnall, Reidsville, GA (7/3/2023) – Law enforcement is seeking the public’s assistance to locate Chase Craft, age 20, of Reidsville, GA, in connection to a shooting death in Tattnall County.  The GBI has charged Craft with felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.   

Effingham County, GA (July 3, 2023) –  The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Effingham County, Georgia. The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on July 2, 2023. One man was shot and killed.  No officers/deputies were injured in this incident. 

Gainesville, GA (July 3, 2023) - Police arrested a Gainesville man on felony drug charges after the culmination of a three-month multi-agency investigation dubbed “Operation Birthday Boy.”  Over the past several weeks, police made multiple arrests during traffic stops and the execution of search warrants across North Georgia.  Throughout the investigation, law enforcement seized more than one kilogram of methamphetamine and multiple grams of fentanyl.  

Decatur, GA (June 30, 2023) - The GBI is proud to announce the graduation of two forensic pathology fellows from the 2022-2023 forensic pathology program.  After graduation, Dr. Samantha Mattox & Dr. Romana Mayer will be staying with the GBI as associate medical examiners.