Press Releases: 2022

Calhoun, GA (December 30, 2022) – On Thursday, December 29, 2022, William Sandridge, age 42, and Allyn Sandridge, age 41, of Gordon County, GA, were arrested and each charged with eight counts of sexual exploitation of children by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit. The GBI CEACC Unit and Homeland Security Investigations began a joint investigation into the Sandridge’s online activity after receiving a report in reference to their online activity. This investigation led to a search warrant of the Sandridge’s home and their subsequent arrests. The GBI CEACC unit was assisted in the execution of this search warrant by the Calhoun Police Department, the Polk County Police Department, and the United States Secret Service. The Sandridges were taken to the Gordon County Jail upon their arrest.

Milan, GA (December 29, 2022) – Brandon Daniel Spires, age 29, of Milan, was arrested for murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and arson in connection to the death of Joshua Robert Fort, age 33, of Milan. Fort was discovered deceased outside a building on Mt. Zion Street in downtown Milan on December 28, 2022. The Telfair County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the GBI.

Cartersville, Bartow County, GA (December 23, 2022) – The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Cartersville, GA.  On Friday, December 23, 2022, the Cartersville Police Department asked the GBI to investigate

UPDATE:

Christopher Thomas Ford has been located and was arrested at his home.

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Toomsboro, GA (December 20, 2022) - The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Toomsboro, Wilkinson County, Georgia. The Wilkinson County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on December 20, 2022. 

Dawsonville, GA (December 21, 2022) – On Tuesday, December 20, 2022, John Leonard Maxfield Jr, age 41, of Dawson County, Georgia, was arrested and charged with nine counts (two counts of distribution and seven counts of possession) of Sexual Exploitation of Children by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit. 

Update: Thomas Warren Capps, age 40, of Americus, has been arrested and charged with Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Nickalus Lee Cochran, age 25, of Americus, has been arrested and charged with Tampering with Evidence. 

Sumter County (December 22, 2022) - The GBI is investigating the death of an Americus man after a shooting incident that happened last night at 145 Dogwood Drive in Americus, Sumter County, GA. On Wednesday, December 21, at about 11:30 p.m., the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to assist. Christopher York was shot and taken to the Phoebe Sumter Hospital where he died. The investigation is ongoing.

Polk County, Cedartown, GA (December 21, 2022) – The Polk County Police Department and the GBI arrested Brandon Lyle, age 30, of Cedartown, and charged him with murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, Home Invasion, Burglary, Theft by Taking and several other offenses.

Warner Robins, Houston County, GA (December 20, 2022) - The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Warner Robins, GA.  The Georgia State Patrol asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on December 20, 2022. 

Jasper, GA (December 16, 2022) – On Wednesday, December 14, 2022, Kelly Eugene Howard, age 49, of Pickens County, Georgia, was arrested and charged with one count of Sexual Exploitation of Children by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit. The GBI CEACC Unit began an investigation into Howard’s online activity after receiving Cybertip Reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the possible online possession of child sexual abuse material.  This investigation led to a search warrant at Howard’s residence and his subsequent arrest.  The GBI CEACC unit was assisted in the execution of their search warrant by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.

Garfield, Georgia (December 16, 2022) – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is investigating a man’s death that happened on St. Paul Road in Emanuel County.  On Thursday, December 15, 2022, at about 3:50 a.m., the Emanuel County Sheriff's Office asked the GBI to assist.