Press Releases: 2022

Richmond County, GA (December 15, 2022) - The GBI has arrested and charged Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Quincy Cannon, age 31, Andrew Acosta, age 25, and Robert Wilson, age 45, on charges stemming from an incident that happened at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and after an officer involved shooting involving Vernon Cratic, age 34.   

Savannah, GA (December 15, 2022) – The GBI was requested by the Chatham County Police Department to conduct a use of force investigation that took place at a home on Fort Argyle Court in Savannah, GA, on December 13, 2022.

Charlton County, GA (12/15/2022) – A joint investigation by the GBI and the Charlton County Sherriff’s Office has led to the arrest of three individuals for the Robbery and Murder of Jonathan David Merritt of Nassau County, FL. The GBI and Charlton County Sheriff’s Office arrested Lindsay Griffis, 35, of Folkston, GA for the charges of Armed Robbery and Murder on 12/2/2022. On this same date warrants were issued for both Kristin McDade, 37, of Jacksonville, FL and Thomas Moore, 38, of Jacksonville, FL, for the same charges. The U.S. Marshals Service was requested to assist in locating and taking McDade and Moore into custody. Both McDade and Moore were apprehended in New Port Richey, FL by the U.S. Marshals on 12/13/2022.

Milledgeville, GA (December 14, 2022) - The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Milledgeville, Baldwin County, Georgia. The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on December 13, 2022. One woman, identified as Fiesta Lattina Murphy, 48, from Duquesne, PA, was shot and is currently in the hospital. A Baldwin County deputy was injured in this incident.

Atlanta, GA (December 14, 2022) - Five people have been arrested and charged with domestic terrorism and other charges after a joint operation at the site of the future Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. The GBI is part of a joint task force formed to combat ongoing criminal activity at the Atlanta Police Department (APD) site. Yesterday, December 13, 2022, our agents assisted APD and other local, state, and task force members in an operation to remove barricades blocking some of the entrances to the training center. 

Trenton, GA (December 13, 2022) – On Monday, December 12, 2022, Donald Rudolph Moore, age 59, of Dade County, Georgia, was arrested and charged with three counts 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 Moore’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 search warrants at Moore’s two properties and his subsequent arrest. The GBI CEACC unit was assisted in the execution of their search warrants by the Dade County Sheriff’s Office and the Trenton Police Department. Moore was taken to the Dade County Jail upon his arrest.

Columbus, GA (December 10, 2022) – Two Muscogee County men were arrested this week in unrelated investigations. Camron Joyner, age 21, was arrested and charged with five counts of sexual exploitation of children and Leo Lapalm, age 71, was arrested and charged with ten counts of sexual exploitation of children by the GBI Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit. The GBI CEACC Unit began an investigation into both men’s online activity after receiving multiple cybertip reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the possible online possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). These separate investigations led to consent searches of their electronic devices where numerous other files of CSAM were further located. Joyner and Lapalm were taken to the Muscogee County Jail upon their arrest on December 7.

Toccoa, GA (December 10, 2022) – On Wednesday, December 7, 2022, Alan Savage, age 32, of Stephens County, GA, was arrested and charged with one count of sexual exploitation of children by the GBI Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit. The GBI CEACC Unit began an investigation into Savage’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 of Savage’s electronic devices and his arrest. Savage is being criminally charged in Oconee County, GA, where it was determined his crime was committed. The GBI CEACC unit was assisted in this investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Department of Community Supervision. Savage was taken to the Stephens County Jail upon his arrest.

Zebulon, GA (December 10, 2022) – Butts County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Marlin Moultrie, 55, of Flovilla, GA, has been arrested and charged with three counts of misdemeanor stalking and three counts of misdemeanor harassing communications. On November 4, 2022, the Pike County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to investigate allegations that Moultrie was stalking and harassing an ex-girlfriend.

Pelham, GA (December 8, 2022) – The GBI Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office (SWRDEO), Pelham Police Department, and Thomas County Sheriff’s Office arrested Lucius Williams, age 39, for one count of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was taken to the Mitchell County Jail.