Press Releases

Claxton, GA (February 20, 2023) – Darrell Williams turned himself in to the Tattnall County Jail today with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Claxton, GA (February 16, 2023) - DARRELL WILLIAMS, age 24, is wanted in connection to the death of Marvin Smith on 12/25/22.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the GBI at 912-871-1121 or the Claxton Police Department at 912-739-2121. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Claxton, GA (December 27, 2022) – The GBI was requested by the Claxton Police Department to assist with a death investigation in the early morning hours of December 25, 2022.

Just after 12:30 a.m., an Evans County Sheriff’s Office deputy heard gunfire in the 300 block of East James Street in Claxton, GA. When law enforcement arrived, they found Marvin Smith, age 31, of Hagan, GA, in the yard shot multiple times. Officers and EMS administered aid, however, he died at the scene. The GBI Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy on Smith.

Covington, GA (February 20, 2023) – The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Covington, Newton County, GA. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on February 19, 2023. One man was shot. No officers were injured during the incident.

Lovejoy, GA (February 20, 2023) – On Wednesday, February 15, 2023, Ryan Plsek, age 35, of Clayton County, GA, was arrested and charged with nine counts of sexual exploitation of children (possession of child pornography) by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit. The GBI CEACC Unit began an investigation into Plsek’s online activity after receiving a CyberTipline Report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the possible online possession of child sexual abuse material. This investigation led to the execution of a search warrant of Plsek’s home and his subsequent arrest. The GBI CEACC unit was aided in the search warrant by the Clayton County Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Secret Service. Plsek was taken to the Clayton County Jail upon his arrest.

Richmond Hill, GA (February 18, 2023) – Patrick William Bristow, age 64, of Richmond Hill, GA, has been arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault. The Richmond Hill Police Department (RHPD) asked the GBI to investigate on February 17, 2023. One RHPD officer was shot and treated at a local hospital and released.

Atlanta, GA (February 17, 2023) - The GBI has arrested and charged registered sex offender Dionte Johnson, age 30, of Atlanta, with Human Trafficking after an extensive investigation.   

Cornelia, GA (February 14, 2023) – Former Cornelia Fire Department Assistant Chief Shane Bentley was arrested on February 2, 2023 and charged with one count of first-degree forgery and one count of theft by taking.    

Columbus, GA (February 14, 2023) – On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit executed two search warrants regarding separate child exploitation investigations. Frank Robbins, Jr., age 43, was arrested and charged with three counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children, Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Calvin Mitchum, age 30, was arrested and charged with four counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children, Distribution of CSAM.

Columbia County, GA (February 10, 2023) – On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, Robert Collins, III, age 48, of Columbia County, GA, was arrested and charged with one count of sexual exploitation of children by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The GBI Thomson Investigative Office began an investigation after receiving a report in reference to Collins’ online activity. This investigation led to a search warrant of Collins’ home and his subsequent arrest. The GBI was assisted in the execution of this search warrant by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. Collins was taken to the Columbia County Jail upon his arrest.

UPDATE

James Ian Spires is in custody. He turned himself in to the Bleckley County Sheriff’s Office on February 8. He will be taken to the Pulaski County Detention Center, where his charges originated.

ORIGINAL RELEASE

Hawkinsville, Georgia (February 2, 2023) – The GBI is seeking the public’s assistance in an aggravated assault investigation that began on February 1, 2023.  The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to assist after Pulaski County 911 received a phone call stating that James Cheek, age 68, of Hawkinsville had been shot multiple times.  The investigation revealed that James Ian Spires, age 24, of Cochran, GA, shot Cheek multiple times.  Cheek was later flown to the Navicent Medical Center in Macon, Georgia, where he is listed in critical condition. 

Griffin, GA (February 9, 2023) – The GBI has arrested and charged Asia Jones, age 26, of Hampton, GA, with one count of misdemeanor theft by deception and one count of violation of oath by public officer. On June 17, 2022, the Griffin Police Department asked the GBI to investigate allegations that Jones, a Griffin Police Department officer, was falsifying timecard information pertaining to a part-time job. Jones was booked at the Spalding County Jail.