Press Releases

On August 24, 2022, Dustin Tyler Burgess, age 34, of Ellijay, GA, and Uriel C. Mendoza, age 30, of Copperhill, TN, were arrested and both charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and manufacturing methamphetamine in the presence of children.

Dahlonega, GA (August 26, 2022) –  Charles Edward Cates Jr., 55, of Dahlonega, has been arrested and charged with the murder after human remains were found in Lumpkin County.

Americus, GA (August 26, 2022) – On Thursday August 25, 2022, the GBI Americus Field Office, with the assistance the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, Americus Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, arrested Charles Harvey Jr., age 23. Harvey was taken into custody in Cordele and taken to the Crisp County Law Enforcement Center. Harvey will be taken to the Sumter County Law Enforcement Center today and booked on charges of burglary and murder in connection to the death of Calvin Smith, Jr.

Sylvania, GA (August 19, 2022) - The GBI has charged three people with murder and other charges following a suspicious fire in Sylvania, GA that left one person dead.  Another person was also charged in this case. 

Riverdale, GA (August 22, 2022) – On Friday, August 19, 2022, Marco Mendoza Escalante, age 24, of Clayton County, Georgia, was arrested on 3 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 Escalante’s online activity after receiving a Cybertip 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 of Escalante’s home and his subsequent criminal charges. The GBI CEACC unit was aided in the search warrant execution of Escalante’s home and in the arrest of Escalante by the Clayton County Police Department and the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office. 

Atlanta, GA (August 21, 2022) - The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Atlanta, Georgia.  The Atlanta Police Department (APD) asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on August 20, 2022.  One man was injured and taken to a local hospital.  No officers were injured.  

Decatur County, GA (August 20, 2022) – Christopher Troendle, age 37, of Camilla, Mitchell County, GA, was arrested on August 17, 2022, for one count child molestation and one count child exploitation regarding computer/electronic pornography. Troendle was booked into the Decatur County Jail.

Douglasville, GA (August 19, 2022) – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting an officer involved shooting investigation in Douglasville, GA. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on Thursday, August 18, 2022. One man was injured and taken to a local hospital. No officers were injured.

Waycross, GA (August 18, 2022) - A juvenile complaint for involuntary manslaughter has been secured for the juvenile involved in the fight that resulted in the death of another juvenile on August 9, 2022.

Waycross, GA (August 16, 2022) – The GBI has arrested Thomas Lee Hicks, age 30, of Waycross, GA and charged him with one count of murder in the 2nd degree, two counts of cruelty to children in the 2nd degree, and one count of violation of oath of office.  Hicks was a juvenile correctional officer in the Waycross RYDC.  Information from the GBI investigation revealed that Hicks allowed juveniles to participate in a fight game in his presence.  Hicks was arrested this evening, August 16, 2022, and booked into the Ware County Jail.

Albany, GA (August 18, 2022) – The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Albany, GA. The Albany Police Department requested the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on August 17, 2022. No one was injured during this incident.