Press Releases

Atlanta, GA (March 30, 2023) - The GBI has arrested and charged Virginia Heckel, age 30, of Ohio with criminal trespass and Robert Rayner, age 20, of Ohio with obstruction at Intrenchment Creek Park, near the future site of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. DeKalb County Government issued an executive order on Friday, March 24, that Intrenchment Creek Park and other adjacent county-owned property be closed due to the discovery of “hidden traps or other devices designed to injure, maim, or cause the death of adults, children, and pets.”

Douglasville, GA (March 29, 2023) –  The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Douglas County, GA. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on March 29, 2023. One man was shot and killed. No deputies were injured in this incident.

Oglethorpe, GA (March 28, 2023) – On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, Michael David Smith, of Macon County, GA, was arrested and charged with 10 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 Smith’s online activity after receiving numerous CyberTipline Reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the possible online possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material. This investigation led to a search warrant of Smith’s home and his subsequent arrest. The GBI CEACC unit was aided in the execution of this search warrant by the GBI Americus Office and the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. Smith was taken to the Macon County Jail upon his arrest.

Vidalia, GA (March 28, 2023) – On Thursday, March 23, 2023, Joseph Prater, of Toombs County, GA, 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 Prater’s online activity after receiving a CyberTipline Report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the possible online possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material. This investigation led to a search warrant of Prater’s home and his subsequent arrest. The GBI CEACC unit was aided in the execution of this search warrant by the GBI Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Unit and the Vidalia Police Department. Prater was taken to the Toombs County Jail upon his arrest.

Americus, GA (March 27, 2023) – The GBI has arrested Americus Police Officer, Richard Irvin Franklin II, age 37, of Americus, and charged him with 1 count of Criminal Damage to Property 2nd degree, 1 count of Making False Statements and 1 count of Violation of Oath of Office.

Vienna, GA (March 27, 2023) – The GBI has arrested and charged Jakaya Brooks, age 22, of Vienna, with malice murder, felony murder, and aggravated assault. Robbie Brown, age 40, and James Dariso, age 46, both of Vienna, have also been arrested and charged with making false statements. All three defendants are in the Dooly County Jail.

Calhoun, GA (March 26, 2023) – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer involved shooting in Gordon County, GA. The Gordon County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on March 26, 2023. One man was shot and is in stable condition. No officers were injured during the incident. 

(Cordele, GA – March 25, 2023) - The GBI is investigating a shooting that happened in Cordele, GA overnight.  Brandon Carter, 26, of Cordele, has been identified as the suspect in the case.  On Saturday, March 25, 2023, at about 3:30 a.m., the Cordele Police Department made the GBI request for the shooting incident that occurred in the 500 Block of West 24th Ave., Cordele, Crisp County, Georgia and ended with 2 men shot.  Both victims were taken to Crisp Regional Hospital for treatment and later transferred to Macon for further treatment. 

Hazlehurst, GA (March 24, 2023) – The GBI has arrested and charged Miguel Contreras, 19, with Aggravated Assault, and Augustine Medrano, 20, with Party to the Crime of Aggravated Assault and Hindering the Apprehension of a Criminal. Both are from Omega, Tift County, GA.

Canton, GA (March 24, 2023) – On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, Anthony Byrd-Ditter, of Cherokee County, GA, was arrested and charged with eight counts (four counts of distribution and four counts of possession) 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 Byrd-Ditter’s online activity after receiving numerous CyberTipline Reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the possible online possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material. This investigation led to a search warrant of Byrd-Ditter’s home and his subsequent arrest at his current place of employment. The GBI CEACC unit was aided in the execution of this search warrant by the Canton Police Department, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations. Byrd-Ditter was transported to the Cherokee County Jail upon his arrest.