Sparks- The Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Sparks Police Department and Georgia Bureau of Investigation have made arrests in connection with the murder of James “Buster” Statum.  On Wednesday, May 13, 2009, the GBI obtained arrest warrants for Jason Treadway, 28 YOA, and his wife Billie Jo Treadway, 27 YOA, both of Adel, Georgia. Jason Treadway is charged with Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, and Burglary in connection with the investigation and Billie Jo Treadway is charged with Aggravated Assault and Tampering with Evidence.
Both suspects were already incarcerated at the Cook County jail on other charges.

On Friday, May 8, 2009, at approximately 7:53 p.m., Cook County and Sparks Police were called to Busters Game room located on Adams Street, in Sparks, Cook County Ga., where the victim, James Statum, 72 YOA, was discovered deceased inside the building.  The GBI Douglas office was contacted and requested to assist in the investigation. 

An autopsy, conducted at the GBI Crime Lab in Atlanta, Ga., indicated that Mr. Statum died as a result of multiple stab wounds.

The investigation is still on-going; therefore no other details will be released at this time. The South Georgia Drug Task Force, Adel Police Department, Tifton Police Department, Tift County S.O., Lenox Police Department, Hahira Police Department, Lowndes County S.O., and Georgia State Patrol  all provided assistance in the investigation.  If anyone has information pertaining to the investigation, please contact the Sparks Police Department at 229-549-8211, the Cook County S.O. at 229-896-7471 or the GBI Douglas Office at 912-389-4103.

Contact Information:

SAC Russell Mansfield - 912-389-4103