Saturday, May 21, 2011

5th Criminal Domestic Violence Charge


Shawn Mikell, 30 of Langley, was arrested this week for his fifth criminal domestic violence charge.

Ironically, he was ordered to undergo counseling for domestic violence in December after an arrest last year, according to court records. Looks like that didn't work.

But why should it? The court never sent Mikell to jail for very long. In 2002, after he was found guilty of domestic abuse, a judge simply ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.

Here’s a look at five of his mugshots, including the criminal domestic violence charges.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Drunk Woman Leads Cop on Chase with Kids in Car


A drunk Hephzibah mother crashed into a tree after leading officers on a chase while carrying three children and an adult male in her car Saturday evening .

Rebecca Avrett, 27, was allegedly involved in an accident on James Drive but drove away as a deputy approached, leading the officer on a chase that reached speeds of 80-85 mph, a report says. She finally drove into a yard on Travis Road, lost control of her 1999 Saturn and struck a tree. She tried to exit the car but was detained, the report states.

An officer then realized the woman was carrying three small children (ages 6-8) as well as an adult male. None of the children were restrained, and they appeared injured, a report states.

Officers found an open container of Bud Ice in the car. The driver was charged with at least 14 offenses, including DUI, reckless driving, fleeing, endangering child while DUI, no insurance and driving with a suspended license.

The injured were taken to MCG. Avrett was treated and then booked into the jail, where she took her mugshot from a wheelchair.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Woman with Cerebral Palsy Arrested Again for Shoplifting


An Augusta woman with cerebral palsy has been arrested for shoplifting again.

Lisa Michelle Owen, 44, is accused of rolling out of the Walmart on Deans Bridge Road last Thursday afternoon without paying for a pink “George” shirt worth $12 and a bag of Frito's worth $1. A store employee stopped the woman and her wheelchair after she exited the store, and called police.

But because a handicapped van wasn't available, a deputy was forced to let the woman go until they could pick her up Friday.

Last August, Owen was charged with shoplifting earrings from J.C. Penney’s at the Augusta Mall while riding around in a motorized wheelchair. In that case, a deputy asked the woman to turn herself in at the jail, and she did.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Elderly Hephzibah Man Shot to Death in Home


Richmond County has recorded its 6th homicide after an elderly Hephzibah man was found shot to death in his home Friday night.

Just before midnight Friday, 911 dispatchers received a call about “suspicious persons” on the 2800 block of Hoods Lane, off Tobacco Road in Hephzibah. Deputies checked the residence at 2832 Hoods Lane and found the body of resident Johnny Juddie Luckey, an 81-year-old white male, according to a press release from sheriff’s Lt. Calvin Chew.

The victim appears to have died from gunshot wounds. No arrests have been announced in the slaying, which marks Richmond County’s 6th homicide of the year.

“The investigation is currently in its early stages and further information will be released when possible,” Lt. Chew said.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Teen Prostitute Ties Up Man, Robs Him


This is 17-year-old Shacoya Jones of Augusta. She called police on Thursday afternoon from the Courtesy Motel on 15th Street to report being raped, authorities said. She told investigators she was 14 and pointed out a rape suspect after he was stopped by a deputy.

But after investigating, authorities discovered the teen was actually a 17-year-old prostitute who was recently stiffed by the guy. So she set him up Thursday to get her money and tied him up as "part of the sex act," police said. Jones then robbed the man, hitting him with two pairs of brass knuckles after blindfolding him and duct taping his hands behind his back, authorities say.

She's been charged with false imprisonment, false statement in a government matter, criminal attempted felony and prostitution. Jones remains in jail under no bond.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Blanton's Bond Revoked After Weekend Arrest


Clayton Blanton may have partied one too many times.

Following his weekend arrest for allegedly buying beer for minors, the 21 year old had his bond revoked today on last year's charges of aggravated sexual battery and unlawful eavesdropping.

He was initially granted bond on the weekend misdemeanor arrest. But we're told the Columbia County Sheriff's Office and an assistant district attorney brought the newest charge to the attention of Superior Court Judge Michael Annis, who issued an order for Blanton's arrest, and he surrendered around 5 p.m. today.

Blanton was among several young people charged after a video surfaced with evidence that four people victimized a 19-year-old woman who was passed out at a Martinez party.

Blanton allegedly recorded the video, authorities said. That case has not gone to trial.

He is being held without bond at the Columbia County Jail.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Craigslist Robber Caught


Authorities arrested Phillip Griffin on Monday in the weekend armed robbery and beating of two men who thought they were responding to a Craigslist ad for a 1984-85 black Chevy Monte Carlo.

The victims, both 21 years old, went to a location on Wheeler Road at First Avenue around 6:40 p.m. Sunday and were sitting in their car when the two robbers pulled them out of the vehicle and robbed them of $5,500 brought to purchase the car as well as a wallet and an expensive cell phone.

When the victims resisted, they were either threatened with a gun or struck with a weapon, a report states. Griffin, 20, of Hephzibah, was charged Monday with two counts of armed robbery.