Scary Assault in Hephzibah

On Halloween, we have news of a scary assault from Hephzibah that resulted in Thursday's arrest of 21-year-old Russell Newman of Augusta.

Deputies had their hands full earlier this month when they responded to a loud-noise complaint on the 2000 block of Brown Road in Hephzibah. Richmond County Deputy Dale Crocker found 23-year-old William Hixon in the bed of a green S-10 pickup truck. He was highly intoxicated and had a bloody mouth, cuts to his forehead and what looked like a broken nose.

Officers called for an ambulance, but Mr. Hixon didn't want medical treatment and kept saying his nose wasn't broken.

An officer described the scene in an incident report: "The victim while refusing medical attention made a statement that he had to make some money tonight, which didn't make sense due to his intoxicated state and his injuries. The victim would calm down for a bit and then become irate and combative. The victim had to be convinced to go to the hospital for treatment."

After arriving at the Medical College of Georgia, the victim told the deputy that his wallet, keys and cell phone had been taken from him.

An investigation into the Mr. Hixon's serious injuries led to this week's arrest of Mr. Newman (pictured above) on charges of aggravated battery. The suspect, who is 6 feet tall and 150 pounds, remains at the Richmond County Detention Center today under no bond.

They'll be no trick-or-treating for Mr. Newman tonight.

Guys Who Wish Marijuana was Already Legal

We've been asking for your comments on whether the federal government should legalize marijuana (see below post).

Here are three guys who wish marijuana was already legal. They each got busted in Richmond County in the last few days for marijuana offenses.

• Damien Robinson, 18, of Hephzibah (top), was charged with felony marijuana offense.
• Sheldon Coatney, 31, of Augusta (middle), was charged with possession of marijuana and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
• James Culver, 24, of Augusta (bottom), was charged with possession of marijuana and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

Let us know what you think. Are law enforcement wasting their time busting people for marijuana? Hit the comment button below and give us your thoughts.

Serial Drunk Driver

A North Augusta man was arrested early Wednesday for his fourth DUI, according to jail records.

Jacob Headrick, 38, was stopped by North Augusta public safety officers after midnight Wednesday and discovered that the suspect was drunk. Plus, he was not supposed to be driving! Officers charged him with driving on a suspended license, his third time being caught behind the wheel while his license was suspended. If that wasn't enough, they served a warrant against him for malicious injury to personal property.

According to jail records, Mr. Headrick was previously arrested in Aiken County for drunk driving, including a March 2006 arrest when he allegedly drove drunk and left the scene of an accident.

Personally, we think Jacob is crying for help and begging someone to stop him from his destructive behavior.

North Augusta Bank Robbery Suspect Captured

A man suspected in the Oct. 8 bank robbery at Wachovia in North Augusta was captured in Atlanta this morning.

Sherrod Jarvis Miller was spotted driving a 1993 Mercury by an Atlanta Police detective. The suspect was taken into custody and is being held in the Fulton County Jail pending extradition to North Augusta.

Lt. Tim Pearson with North Augusta Public Safety credited the press for covering the robbery and witnesses who provided valuable information that helped lead to the arrest.

Illegal Immigrant Driving Drunk in Aiken County

Aiken County authorities are holding an illegal immigrant for federal officials after his arrest this week for drunk driving and failure to stop for blue lights.

A trooper with the SC Highway Patrol tried to pull 41-year-old Jamie Alvarez of Aiken over on Saturday morning, but he didn't stop immediately despite his flashing blue lights. Once the suspect was pulled over, the trooper discovered that Mr. Alvarez was an illegal immigrant who was drunk and had no South Carolina driver's license, according to jail records.

Oddly enough, Mr. Alvarez is a repeat offender whose arrest Saturday was his fourth in Aiken County. According to jail records, he's been living in Aiken County since at least 2006, when he was first arrested for drunk driving and having no driver's license. In 2008, he was twice arrested for disorderly conduct for being grossly intoxicated.

After the weekend arrest, county officials put a hold on him for the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Perhaps, he may be deported this time.

Should Marijuana Be Legalized?

Leave your opinions here about marijuana legalization, and we'll publish a few in our next issue.

To leave a comment, simply click on the comment link at the bottom of this post. You don't have to leave your name, but tell us your age and what city you're from.

Vandals Caught With Silver Paint on Clothes & Hands

The Aiken Standard is reporting the arrests of two vandalism suspects who were caught with silver paint on their hands and clothes. We've got the mugshots.

Levi Garrow, 18 (top), and Isaiah Johnson Jr., 18 (bottom), both of Aiken, were each charged with multiple counts of malicious injury $1,000 or less.

According to The Standard, the teenagers are accused of vandalizing a number of cars on Carriage Drive. They are also suspected of spray-painting a sign at the entrance to The Colony, a motorcycle on Greengate Circle and a sign at the entrance to Citizens Park.

Investigators are examining whether the pair could have caused the vandalism at South Aiken High School. Someone spray-painted profane words on the main building and a mobile classroom, The Standard reports.

Security Business Owners Arrested on State Tax Charges

The South Carolina Department of Revenue investigators have arrested an Aiken county couple on state tax charges.

Dennis Brent Lundy, 61 (top), and his wife Sarah Ann Lundy, 45 (bottom), were booked into the Aiken County Detention Center on Friday pending a bond hearing. The Lundy's are both charged with six counts of failure to pay employee withholding, six counts of income tax evasion and two counts of criminal conspiracy.

Dennis and Sarah Lundy, who are co-owners and operators of Surveillance 1, Inc. are accused of collecting employee withholding taxes and not remitting those funds to the Department from 2001-2006. Additionally, the couple is charged with failing to file and pay state income taxes and unlawfully planning to evade taxes by unlawful means for that same period.

The Department estimates the Lundy's total tax liability during 2001-2006 is $215,303.

The couple is facing up to 70 years in prison and fines of up to $130,000 if convicted of all the charges.

Prostitution in Aiken County

An Aiken woman with a history of drug abuse was charged Sunday with prostitution.

Stacia Gerlock, 32, was arrested Sunday afternoon on the single charge of prostitution and booked into the Aiken County Jail.

The suspect has a long history with police, including multiple drug charges dating back many years for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and manufacture/distribution of crack cocaine. She has also been charged with violating her probation.

The top mugshot was taken Sunday, while the bottom picture is a mugshot from a 2004 arrest for drugs.

Stacia looked happier five years ago.

Bad Checks in Beech Island

Aiken County authorities arrested 57-year-old David Presson of Beech Island over the weekend on five charges of fraudulent checks.

Mr. Presson was arrested by sheriff's officials late Saturday and remains in jail this afternoon.

Drunk Drivers Earn Free Ride to Jail

Authorities in Aiken County arrested two men on drunken driving charges in the last 24 hours.

Clarence Brown, 55, of Aiken (top), and Travis Greene, 24, of Jackson (bottom) were both charged with driving under the influence and earned a free ride to the Aiken County Detention Center.

Personally, we think the rides at the Western Carolina State Fair are more fun and less costly.

Trafficking cocaine

Two Jackson men were charged yesterday with trafficking cocaine.

Robert Samuels, 22 (top), and Charlie Carter, 21, were both arrested by the South Carolina Highway Patrol and held at the Aiken County Detention Center on the felony charge.

If only they had remembered what their DARE teacher said - drugs are bad.

Drunk Driving - Again

Howard Toole, 27, of Aiken, was arrested for driving under the influence on Wednesday.

It was Mr. Toole's second DUI offense, but the odd thing is that he was apparently busted for drunk driving around lunchtime Wednesday, according to jail records.

Who drives drunk during the day? Doesn't anyone work anymore? D'oh!

Get Off the Road, Jason!

Jason Hutto, 38, of Aiken, just doesn't seem to get the message.

The S.C. Highway Patrol stopped him on Tuesday night and busted him for drunken driving (more than first). They also discovered his vehicle had a tag from another car and he had no insurance or vehicle license, according to jail records. Even worse, it was his FIFTH OFFENSE for driving under suspension.

When do judges say enough is enough and throw the book at him?! From the look of Tuesday's mugshot (top) and previous mugshots, he doesn't seem to take his driving offenses seriously.

Here's a look at his previous charges in Aiken County (as listed on the jail's website):

• 2001: Criminal domestic violence, simple assault, unlawful carrying a pistol, driving under suspension, disorderly conduct
• 2002: Driving under suspension, operating uninsured vehicle, open container, disregaridng a stop sign
• 2003: Distribution of controlled substances, distribution of marijuana
• 2005: Probation violation
• 2007: Driving under suspension - 4th offense, operating uninsured vehicle
• 2008: Driving under suspension, operating uninsured vehicle
  

We hope a judge will look at his record and decide that the only way to keep Jason off the road is to keep him behind bars.

Daughter of Singer James Brown Arrested

Venisha Brown (above), the 44-year-old daughter of the late soul singer James Brown, was charged last week in Columbia County on an outstanding warrant for theft by conversion.

The victim, Lance Robertson of Martinez, reported his 1994 Nissan Sentra stolen in August. He said he left the keys in the vehicle’s ignition while it was parked underneath an awning in his fenced yard.

This isn't the first time Venisha's been arrested. The Jail Report featured her over the summer when she was charged with a possession of a stolen vehicle in Aiken County.

The Family That Steals Together, Part II

Last week, authorities arrested a mother and daughter together for shoplifting. Now Aiken County authorities have busted a couple from North Augusta for the same offense.

Larry Summers, 38, and Stephanie Summers, 39, were arrested by North Augusta public safety officials last night. Specifically, Stephanie was charged with one count of shoplifting while Larry was charged with shoplifting as well as two counts of simple larceny.

The Aiken County Jail won't confirm their relationship, so we only assume they are husband and wife. Whatever the case, the Summers pair were booked into the jail minutes apart and remain there this morning.

Remember This Face

Remember this face. Aiken County authorities say her checks are no good.

This is 36-year-old Stephanie Williams of Aiken. She was busted on Sunday night for 13 counts of writing fraudulent checks.

But that's not the end of her story. Stephanie was busted by Aiken County authorities in 2003 on 10 counts of forgery. And if that wasn't enough, she was charged the next year with simple larceny.

So consider yourself warned.

Aiken Teen with Multiple Charges

Jerry Hall, 19, of Aiken, was busted last night on a string of charges that is going to cause him some trouble in court.

The teenager was arrested for the second time for shoplifting. North Augusta authorities also charged him with a second-degree burglary, assault & battery and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

That may be why Jerry doesn't look so thrilled in his mugshot. He's got a lot of explaining to do.

Jerry got his first taste of life at the Aiken County Jail last November, when North Augusta public safety officers arrested him for shoplifting under $1,000.

But if Jerry was convicted on that 2008 charge, it appears the punishment wasn't harsh enough to teach him a lesson.

Stealing Cable

It's not a common charge, but 25-year-old Corrine Santero of Aiken found herself in jail Saturday night on a charge of using cable service without authorization. She was busted by Aiken public safety officers. She was also charged with a fraudulent check.

From the look in her eyes, Corrine was a little bit surprised and upset at the arrest. According to jail records, she's never been in trouble before in Aiken County.

Apparently, cable providers take theft of their services pretty seriously. According to Comcast, cable theft is the unauthorized interception and/or receipt of any communications service offered over a cable system without the consent of the cable operator.

Cable theft usually occurs when an individual knowingly and willfully makes illegal physical connections to a cable system or alters (or installs) any unauthorized equipment so that the cable signal can be received without the authorization or knowledge of a cable operator.

Any unauthorized person who intercepts or receives communications provided over a cable system may be penalized under the Cable Communication Policy Act of 1984. This includes the theft of audio, video, textual data, and any other service. Parties found guilty of cable theft are subject to both civil and criminal penalties, which may include substantial fines and/or time in prison.

Unlicensed Drunk Driver Flees Accident

A Beech Island man who doesn't have a driver's license was accused yesterday of causing an accident while driving drunk and then leaving the scene despite injuries. And it's not the first time the unlicensed man has been busted before in Aiken County.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol arrested 23-year-old Eduin Lopez of Beech Island on Friday. We don't have all the details on the accident, but troopers charged him with DUI, leaving the scene of an accident with injuries and driving without a South Carolina driver's license.

Eduin has been here before. Despite his lack of a driver's license, he was cruising Aiken County roadways in January 2008, according to jail records. In that case, he was charged with driving left of center and driving without a license.

He's currently being held in the Aiken County Detention Center.

Scared Straight?

Tarik Mayfield looks like he just saw a ghost.

This mugshot was taken Thursday after Tarik's arrest by Richmond County authorities for obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

We're not sure what the 32-year-old Augusta man was thinking or seeing here, but his wide-eyed expression looks like someone walking through a haunted house.

We can imagine that the jail's a bit spooky for some suspects.

Party Girl

Her T-shirt suggests that she likes to party. She should have stuck with alcohol.

Richmond County authorities arrested 49-year-old Molly Ann Hall on Wednesday and charged her with possession of marijuana.

Looks like she had to do her partying in jail.

Meth Arrest in Beech Island

Aiken County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigators announced today the arrest of a Beech Island man for trying to set up a meth lab.

James Edward Mcrae, 44, of 595 Beech Island Ave., Beech Island, was charged with attempt to manufacture methamphetamine.

On Tuesday, narcotics investigators obtained a search warrant for the suspect's home and discovered materials for making methamphetamine. The materials were secured and disposed of through a government-contracted cleanup crew.

Repeat Offender - Chester Parker Jr.

Chester Parker Jr., 25, of Trenton, seems to check in to the Aiken County Jail at least once a year. He's been arrested annually since he was 18, according to jail records.

On Tuesday, he was busted for his third shoplifting offense. Here's a look at other charges filed against him by year:

2002: Attempted possession of prescription drugs, possession of Oxycontin.
2003: 2 counts of assault & battery
2004: Possession of controlled substances, assault & battery
2005: Giving false information to police
2006: Probation violation
2007: Receiving stolen goods, driving under suspension
2008: Shoplifting, reckless driving, possession of drug paraphernalia
March 2009: 2 counts of shoplifting, 3 counts of possession of drug paraphernalia
Yesterday: Shoplifting - 3rd offense

We bet the jailers at the Aiken County Detention Center were missing him.

Styling & Profiling

Jamie Myers, 26, of Statesboro, Ga., looks like he got stopped in Augusta on his way back from a party. Mr. Myers was pulled over last Thursday and charged with DUI, speeding and having an expired driver's license.

Dressed in a baby blue dress shirt, Jamie struck a pose for the cameraman inside the Richmond County Jail.

We're not sure why, but the jail put a hold on him. So he probably had to trade his stylish shirt for some ugly orange jail garb.

Make Your Own Caption

We're not sure what Stanley Jones was thinking here when he got arrested Friday for battery, but he looks like he's in pain on the side shot. Or maybe the 51-year-old Augusta man just doesn't like having his mugshot taken.

Deadbeats from the Weekend

Aiken County authorities jailed two men over the weekend for failure to pay child support.

Based on the charges, it seems both men have two children they are failing to support. The pair also face additional charges on top of the family court issue.

Arrested over the weekend were:

Bobby Clemons Jr., 34, of Gloverville (top), charged with two counts of failure to pay child support and one count of driving under suspension.

David Dixon, 36, of Aiken (bottom mugshot), charged with two counts of failure to pay child support, marijuana possession and driving under suspension.

It always amazes us that a parent would rather spend money on marijuana than their children (allegedly).

Statutory Rape

A 27-year-old Augusta man has been accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl over the summer.

Corey Gonder, 27 (above), was arrested Friday on a felony charge of statutory rape. A sheriff's report states that the sexual encounter occurred on July 27 at the suspects home on the 3000 block of Griggs Court.

The alleged crime was reported at the MCG Psychiatric Clinic, the report states. A subsequent investigation led to Friday's arrest.

The Beater Upper from North Augusta (Allegedly)

Yes, we created a new name for Joseph Bragg. The Beater Upper.

A look at the multiple charges filed over the last decade against the 33-year-old North Augusta man shows a person who (allegedly) likes to beat up other people, including those he supposedly has a relationship with.

According to jail records, Mr. Bragg was charged Friday afternoon with assault & battery of a high & aggravated nature, a charge filed by the North Augusta Department of Public Safety. That's the mugshot from yesterday at the top followed by a few other mugshots from his past visits to the jail. The jail records list the alleged Beater Upper as 5'11" and 150 pounds.

To get a sense of what law enforcement has been dealing with over the last six years in regards to Mr. Bragg, take a look at the charges filed against him:

January 2004: Criminal domestic violence
May 2004: Criminal domestic violence of a high & aggravated nature
April 2006: 2 counts of forgery
May 2008: Assault & battery, operating an uninsured vehicle
June 2008: Criminal domestic violence
August 2008: Disorderly conduct - profanity, operating an uninsured vehicle, no vehicle license
January 2009: Criminal domestic violence
April 2009: Driving without a driver's license
Yesterday: Assault & battery of a high & aggravated nature

Obviously, these were only charges. He may have been found not guilty. But law enforcement officials in Aiken County have obviously built a case against Mr. Bragg that suggests he likes to beat up other people. We just hope a judge takes his history into account when figuring out how to treat someone who apparently has so little respect for others.

Shoplifters - When Do We Say Enough?

When do we say enough is enough?

The Jail Report asks that question based on the arrest of Lillian Jeffers-Elam, a 47-year-old North Augusta woman who was charged this afternoon with shoplifting -11th offense.

We had to call the Aiken County Jail to confirm that charge. We asked again to make sure.

"11th offense?" we asked.

"Yes, 11th offense," the jailer said.

In she's convicted, we hope the judge on this case sends Lillian a message that shoplifting will not be tolerated. Retailers report that shoplifting has a significant effect on their bottom line.

Experts estimate that shoplifting costs U.S. retailers $25 million a day. That costs is always passed on to the rest of us who actually pay for our merchandise.

Serious Shoplifting from Out-of-Towners

Richmond County authorities busted a trio of out-of-towners this week for felony shoplifting, which means they stole more than $300 worth of merchandise.

They were arrested Wednesday. The Jail Report got the mugshots today.

Charged with the felony offense of shoplifting are:

• Lisa Raysor, 44, of Cordova, S.C. (top)
• Felita Holman, 30, of Denmark, S.C. (middle)
• Jerry Butler Jr., 20, of Blackville, S.C. (bottom)
  

The criminal's creed: if you are going to steal stuff, steal a lot!

Disorderly Mugshot

No major offense here or crazy story. It's just an interesting mugshot of a suspect charged with disorderly conduct.

Scott Bovier, 24, of Augusta, was arrested by Richmond County authorities on Wednesday and booked into the jail, where he made this interesting face for the deputy behind the camera.

Maybe he was dying to make The Jail Report.

Soldier Busted for Driving 101 mph

A Fort Gordon soldier was arrested for speeding last weekend, but he admits he was "going fairly fast."

We got this mugshot today of Joshua Randall, a 26-year-old Massachusetts man who is training at Fort Gordon. According to jail records, the soldier's vehicle was clocked at 101 mph in a 55 mph zone on the Bobby Jones Expressway. It was 3:10 in the morning Saturday when a deputy busted him on Bobby Jones near Glenn Hills.

The Jail Report wanted to know what it felt like to get arrested for speeding, so we called Joshua this morning. He didn't seem as surprised, explaining "I was going fairly fast." The soldier didn't say where he had been that morning, but he said he was "in a rush to get home and get to sleep."

But after clocking Joshua at 46 mph over the speed limit, a deputy had a different idea and took him to jail.

Maybe Josh got some sleep in the jail cell.

Assault with a Pool Cue

Frankie Russell Quale, 31, of Augusta (above), is accused of using a pool cue to beat a man early Tuesday at the Cue and Brew at 252 Washington Road.

Victim Joseph Doran suffered fractures to his jaw, a concussion and severe cuts to his lip that required surgery, according to a sheriff's report. He was taken to the Medical College of Georgia Hospital for treatment.

Authorities say the assault followed an argument over a pool game about 1 a.m. Tuesday. Mr. Quale was charged with aggravated battery.

We'd Hate to See the Victim

Despite large scratches on Catrice Dennis' face, authorities say she was not the victim in a domestic dispute over the weekend.

Ms. Dennis, 21, (shown above), was arrested for simple battery after a rough-and-tumble fight with her boyfriend, 25-year-old Vincent Willis, on Sunday morning. The sheriff's office released this photo today.

According to a report, the couple were having a "verbal altercation over another woman," a fight that moved outside their apartment at 2841 Hazel Street in Augusta. In an apparent confession, Ms. Dennis told authorities she threw a cup and an iron at Mr. Willis before taking him down to the ground.

"She attempted to kick him while on the ground, and he grabbed her by the face and attempted to push her off," a report states. "Willis said he was only trying to keep Dennis away and did not intentionally scratch her face."

Deputies noticed a large scratch on the boyfriend's leg. After taking her confession, officers handcuffed Ms. Dennis and took her to jail on a charge of simple battery - family violence.

If the couple had been in church on Sunday morning in stead of fighting, maybe the whole thing could have been avoided. We're just saying.

Teen Charged with Burglary in North Augusta

Vensentay Metoyer, 18, of North Augusta, was arrested yesterday morning on a charge of second-degree burglary.

The teenager was picked up by North Augusta Public Safety officials and booked into the jail at 7 a.m. Tuesday morning. He remained there this morning, unable to make bond.

The look on his face says it all.