Don't Call Her Short

Whitney Reeves, 23, of Augusta, claims she isn't short. But she isn't smart either, according to a Richmond County sheriff's report, which claims she was driving around this week unbuckled with two children who also weren't properly restrained in child safety seats. Plus, Ms. Reeves' license was suspended already for earlier offenses, leading to another charge.

So, Ms. Reeves may not be short in height (the jail record lists her as 5 feet 3 inches tall), but she'll probably be short on cash after her court date.

Lewd Acts on a Minor

Oscar Caldwell Sr., 62, of Aiken, was charged Wednesday with two counts of committing or attempting to commit a lewd act on a child, and one count of criminal sexual conduct with a minor in the 2nd degree. The Aiken County Sheriff's Office was the arresting agency.

Details on the case were not immediately available, but his jail record shows he's an intimidating figure, standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 285 pounds.

Taco Bell Drive-Thru Robber

Rodney Brooks, 29, of Grovetown, is accused of robbing an Augusta Taco Bell drive-thru window on foot.

According to a report, he approached the window of the restaurant at 2850 Washington Road at 11:20 pm on July 23. The assistant manager opened the window and the suspect asked for change for a dollar. When the register was opened, the robber jumped in the window, grabbed the cash from the register and ran on foot.

After an investigation, Mr. Brooks was arrested Tuesday (July 28) and charged with robbery by sudden snatch.

(Maybe next time, the manager shouldn't open the "drive-through" window to someone who doesn't "drive up" to the window. Hmmmmm. Just a suggestion.)

Excessive Force - The Report

Click on the report below to view the Richmond County Sheriff's report filed against the deputy who is accused of using excessive force against a bar patron over the weekend.

Deputy Arrested for Using Excessive Force in Augusta

Sheriff Ronnie Strength After Firing Deputy: "He knew he had gone too far."

A Richmond County sheriff's deputy is in hot water after beating the crap out of a bar patron while arresting him over the weekend at the Country Club bar on Washington Road.

Deputy Bryan Johnson, shown above, got the boot from his job and ended up in jail himself on an aggravated battery charge. On Tuesday, Sheriff Ronnie Strength told a gathering of reporters that he was "very upset" about the incident.

"There's no doubt in my mind that he knew he had gone too far," the sheriff said.

According to the sheriff's office, Deputy Johnson was dressed in uniform at the club even though he wasn't on duty and he was not working security there. He reportedly stepped in to help another officer confront a man who was causing a disturbance on the dance floor.

Outside, Deputy Johnson allegedly attacked Christopher Kersey, 35, of Lexington, S.C., who is shown below. Authorities say the deputy's assault on Mr. Kersey continued even though he was already in handcuffs.

As shown in his mugshot, Mr. Kersey suffered serious injuries, including two black eyes, a dislocated jaw, fractures to both orbital bones, momentary loss of sight in his left eye and a shattered right elbow

In his report, Deputy Johnson claims he was trying to stop a fight on the dance floor when Mr. Kersey hit him in the eye. The officer claimed the man continued to be combative even after he was on the ground.

Mr. Kersey was arrested and charged with obstruction of a law enforcement officer. He was treated at the Medical College of Georgia Hospital.

Deputy Johnson was held at the Richmond County Detention Center on $25,000 bond.

Christopher Kersey, 35, of Lexington, S.C.

Medical Ward Stays Busy

This week has an unusually high number of suspects with visible injuries. Looks like the medical wards may be keeping busy in the CSRA.

Charles Batchelor, 28, of Augusta, was charged with obstruction of an officer. It's an encounter that appears to have turned out bloody.

Jonathan Chellis, 32, of Augusta, was charged with reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, fleeing & attempting to elude police, and failure to maintain lane. Looks like he should have been trying to flee to the hospital.


Crystal Clary, 24, was arrested in Columbia County on a battery charge. By the size of her Band-aid, it looks like the victim got in at least one good lick, too.

Michael Wheeler, 30, of Aiken, was arrested on charges of criminal domestic violence. By the scratches on his face and neck, it's a wonder he wasn't the victim.

Welcome to The Jail Report - Fighting Crime Through Knowledge

Fighting crime through knowledge. It sounds good, right? But what exactly does that mean?

The motto of The Jail Report simply means that this crime newspaper hopes to arm you with information that will help you make decisions to protect you, your family and your property.

Our crime awareness publication relies mainly on arrest and mugshot information to fill its pages – and for good reason. By knowing the names and faces of people accused of committing crimes in our neighborhoods, readers can make more informed decisions on the people they associate with and allow into their lives.

Each issue will feature other important information as well:

• WANTED: Working with law enforcement, The Jail Report will publicize suspects who are wanted for committing crime. In some cases, police offer a reward for helping to get violent criminal suspects off the street.
• DUMB CROOKS & WEIRD CRIME: A look at odd crime and the lamebrains who perpetrate them.
• LOCAL CRIME: News stories from across the CSRA, including statistics that show you the trend in crimes from month to month.
  

There’s a reason similar crime newspapers are popping up across the region, including Atlanta, Columbia, Charlotte and Greenville/Spartanburg. They are filling the need for citizens to know what’s going on in their neighborhoods.

Even state and county agencies are getting into the act by providing more localized crime information, publicizing sex offenders – and their mugshots – on their websites.

Columbia County and Aiken County now make arrest and mugshot information available on their agency websites. For those counties, The Jail Report simply takes that same information and makes a print copy available to those who don’t have Internet access or the time to research.

Not everyone will agree with the release of this public information to such a wide audience. They will argue that not everyone pictured is guilty.

The Jail Report makes it clear these are accusations only, and we believe the public benefits through the knowledge of those suspects who’ve been formally charged.

If someone published in these pages is found not guilty and wishes their verdict to be publicized, contact us through email at publisher@thejailreport.com, or by phone at 706-814-1359. We also hope you make the same call to the sheriff’s office if your mugshot was placed on their website.

If you have a comment and want it published in an upcoming issue, we currently accept feedback by email at publisher@thejailreport.com.