Press Releases

Elbert County, GA (March 14, 2022) – The GBI has charged Bobby Ray Cross, age 66, of Hartwell, GA with three counts of child molestation for acts committed at the Elbert County Primary School.  On Friday, March 11, 2022, the Hart County Sheriff’s Office took Cross, a former Elbert County Schools paraprofessional, into custody.  The acts occurred during school hours between the end of November 2021 and the end of December 2021. 

The Elbert County Board of Education Police notified the Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney of Cross’ actions.  The Elbert County BOE put Cross on administrative leave at the beginning of the criminal investigation.  The District Attorney then requested the GBI to investigate the incidents.

Three victims aged 6 and under were identified through the course of this investigation.

Wrens, GA (March 14, 2022) – The GBI has arrested and charged Richard Wood, age 44, and Lynda Wood, age 31, both of Martinez, Georgia, with one count each of Aggravated Child Molestation and Incest.  On Tuesday, March 8, 2022, the Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office asked the GBI to investigate allegations of child molestation that occurred while the Woods were living in Wrens, Jefferson County, Georgia. 

Loganville, GA (March 13, 2022) – The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Loganville, Walton County, GA. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on March 12, 2022. William Taylor Parrott, 35, of Wrightsville, GA, was shot and has died. No deputies were injured during the incident.  

Columbus, GA (March 11, 2022) – The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Columbus, Georgia. The Columbus Police Department asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on Friday, March 11, 2022.  Alonzo Carter, 32, was shot and died.  No officers were injured during this incident.

Acworth, GA (March 10, 2022) –  The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Acworth, Cobb County, Georgia.  The Acworth Police Department asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.  One man was shot and died.  No officers were injured in the incident.

The preliminary information indicates that around 6:50 p.m., Acworth P.D. received a call for a burglary in progress off of Lake Park Ridge West, Acworth , GA.  When officers arrived, they saw Gabriel Scott Rau, age 35, in the garage of the home.  Rau left the garage, armed with two knives, charged at officers, and ignored their commands to stop.  Officers fired their weapons, hitting Rau.  Rau was taken to Kennestone Hospital where he died.

Lawrenceville, GA (March 10, 2022) –  The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia.  The Lawrenceville Police Department asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.  One man and one Lawrenceville Police Officer were shot during the incident. 

The preliminary information indicates that around 10:40 p.m., Lawrenceville P.D. received a call about an unruly patient at Summit Ridge Behavioral Health Hospital, 250 Scenic Highway, Lawrenceville.  When officers arrived, they encountered Austin Collins, age 20, in a fenced area at the back of the facility. Collins attacked one of the officers and took his handgun.  Collins was shot by a second officer.  During the incident, the first officer was shot as well.  Collins and the injured officer were taken to Northside Gwinnett Hospital.  Collins is in critical condition.  The officer is in stable condition.  

Blue Ridge, GA (March 10, 2022) – Vern Bennett, age 48, of Blue Ridge is arrested and charged with murder and aggravated assault in connection to the death of Jennifer Layman, age 54, of Blue Ridge and the shooting of a second victim, also of Blue Ridge.

East Dublin, GA (March 9, 2022) - The GBI has arrested Sharon Mills, age 49, of Rockledge, for one count of cruelty to children in the first degree (felony), one count of tampering with evidence (felony), one count of influencing a witness (felony) and one count of giving false statements/writings (felony). The arrest comes after an investigation into allegations of child abuse at the Roseland Child Care Center located at 703 Central Drive East Dublin, Laurens County, Georgia. 

On Wednesday, March 2, 2022, East Dublin Police Department Chief Bill Luecke requested the GBI to assist with an investigation into allegations of child abuse at the Roseland Child Care Center.  This request from Chief Luecke came after a report was made by a mother of a child who had visible injuries after being at the childcare center. Mills was arrested on March 4th and booked into the Laurens County Detention Center.

Columbus, GA (March 5, 2022) – The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Columbus, Georgia. The Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on Saturday, March 5, 2022. One deputy and two men were shot during this incident.

Moultrie, GA (March 4, 2022) – On Tuesday, March 1, 2022, the GBI Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office and the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a car driven by Tia Marie Turner, age 31, of Moultrie, Georgia, traveling southbound on Georgia Highway 33 towards Moultrie, Georgia. As a result of the traffic stop, one kilogram of methamphetamine and a 9 mm handgun were seized. Turner was arrested and charged with trafficking methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.