Press Releases: 2020

Thomas County, GA (November 10, 2020) - On Saturday, November 7, 2020, at approximately 6:43 p.m., the GBI was requested by the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office to conduct an officer involved shooting that occurred at the Thomasville Truck Stop on US-84.

Canton, GA (November 10, 2020) – On Tuesday, November 10, 2020, former Forsyth County Chief Deputy Grady Sanford, age 56, was arrested and charged with two counts of distribution of child pornography following a search warrant executed at 209 Windsor Green Court, Canton, Georgia. An investigation into Sanford’s internet activity by the GBI’s CEACC Unit began after a report was received from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) on November 6, 2020, indicating child sexual abuse images had been uploaded to the Internet using a popular email platform. The IP address that was used to log into the email platform physically resolved to the above address in Canton, Georgia. 

Sanford was booked into the Cherokee County Jail.

11/9/20 Update - Corby Traylor has turned himself in to the Cook County Jail. Dexter Simmons is still wanted.

Update:

Correction: Damian Cayo’s last name was listed as Cato in the original press release.

Damian Cayo has been arrested and charged with one count of Aggravated Assault and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Cayo has been transported to the Cook County Jail. Warrants have been obtained for Dexter Simmons for one count of Aggravated Assault and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Simmons remains hospitalized. Warrants have also been obtained for Corby Traylor, 38, of Adel, for one count of Aggravated Assault and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Anyone with information of the whereabouts of Corby Traylor should contact the GBI Douglas Regional Office at (912) 389-4103 or the Adel Police Department at (229) 896-2224.

ORIGINAL RELEASE

Adel, GA (October 24, 2020) – On Saturday, October 24, 2020, the GBI’s Douglas Regional Office received a request from the Adel Police Department to assist with an aggravated assault investigation. At approximately 3:00 a.m., the Adel Police Department responded to the Waffle House on 4th Street in Adel, Cook County, Georgia, in reference to a 911 call of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers found Dexter Simmons, 40, of Adel, suffering from gunshot wounds. While on scene, the officers heard gunshots and were dispatched to 403 N. Oak Street in Adel. Upon arrival, officers found Damian Rashad Cato, 28, of Sparks, Georgia, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

11/9/20 UPDATE:

As a result of the Monaco Hookah Lounge shootings that took place on Friday, a total of six persons were shot, with two deceased, not three as initially reported.

Two deceased persons: Dayvon Bennett, aka King Von, 26 of Chicago, and Mark Blakely, 34, of Chicago.

The GBI continues to investigate the use of force involving the officers. APD is investigating the homicides.

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Atlanta, GA (November 6, 2020) – On Friday, November 6, 2020, at approximately 4 AM, the GBI was requested to investigate an officer involved shooting at the Monaco Hookah Lounge in Atlanta, GA.

The preliminary investigation indicates that Dayvon Bennett, aka King Von, and a group of men left the Opium Nightclub and went to the Monaco Hookah Lounge on 255 Trinity Avenue.  Once there, two men approached the group in the parking lot, and the two groups of men started to argue with each other. The argument quickly escalated to gunfire between the two groups.

Lenox, GA (November 9, 2020) – On Sunday, November 8, 2020, the GBI’s Douglas Regional Office was requested by the Lenox Police Department to assist with a death investigation. As a result, arrest warrants have been secured for Davontae Deandre Brown, 26, for felony aggravated assault and felony murder. Anyone with knowledge of Brown’s whereabouts should contact the GBI Douglas Office at (912) 389-4103 or the Lenox Police Department at (229) 546-3030.

Social Circle, GA (November 9, 2020) – On Saturday, November 7, 2020, the GBI was requested by the Social Circle Police Department to investigate the death of Seneca Williams, age 43, following an encounter between Williams and officers.

On November 7, 2020, at approximately 2:00 A.M., Social Circle Police Department Officers were investigating an apparent vehicular hit and run incident. Officers approached Williams who they believed was the driver responsible for the hit and run and knew had active arrest warrants. As officers initiated contact with Williams, Williams fled on foot. Officers pursued Williams and deployed a Taser. As officers attempted to take Williams into custody, he failed to follow the officers’ commands and continued to physically resist officers. During the incident, Williams fled the scene on foot and was not seen again by officers.

Lilburn, GA (November 7, 2020) – On Saturday, November 7, 2020, the GBI Atlanta Regional Office was requested by the Gwinnett County Police Department to investigate an officer involved shooting.

Ben Hill County, GA (November 4, 2020) – On Tuesday, November 3, 2020, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) arrested Malcom Walton, age 18, and Willie Walton, age 20, on charges of sexual contact with a minor.  The two suspects are not related.

On Monday, November 2, 2020, the Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Office requested that the GBI investigate allegations of sexual contact with a minor.  The alleged incident was discovered during the investigation of former Fitzgerald Police Captain Allen Pope.  The GBI Regional Office in Perry, GA initiated an investigation. 

Ben Hill County, GA (November 3, 2020) – On Friday, October 30, 2020, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) arrested former Fitzgerald Police Captain Allen E. Pope, age 54, on sexual exploitation of children charges.  Pope was arrested in Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Georgia by GBI agents and the Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Office.                                                                    

On Wednesday, October 28, 2020, District Attorney Brad Rigby of the Cordele Judicial Circuit requested that the GBI investigate allegations of sexual exploitation of children occurring in Ben Hill County, Georgia.  The GBI Region

Rabun Gap, GA (November 2, 2020) - A month-long investigation was conducted by the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office into distribution of illegal drugs and thefts.

On Wednesday, October 21, 2020, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office and Rabun County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on 357 Little River Lane, Rabun Gap, Georgia. Upon the execution of the search warrant, a trafficking amount of methamphetamine and other controlled substances were seized.