Get a GRIP and get the good stuff
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Mike Yates on Tuesday submitted his letter of resignation as chief of the Griffin Police Department. Yates had been on paid administrative leave since April 28. “This action (Yates’ administrative leave) was taken in connection with the pending GBI investigation requested by District Attorney Marie Broder into the matter involving Sgt. […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Griffin City Manager Jessica O’Connor confirmed Wednesday that D’Marquivius “D.J.” King has resigned from the Griffin Police Department. O’Connor also said a disciplinary conference for GPD Chief Mike Yates will take place Thursday.King and Yates have been on paid administrative leave since February and April, respectively, while the GBI investigated King’s […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Marie Broder today announced that she will convene a grand jury to present the findings of a GBI investigation related to the Griffin Police Department’s investigation of the May 2021 murder of Javarreis Reid. “Upon receiving the report from Special Agent Adam Thompson with the GBI, I […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::The GBI has completed its investigation of the Griffin Police Department’s (GPD) handling of the 2021 murder of Javarreis Reid. The GBI Region 2 Field Office confirmed the investigative case file was turned over to Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Marie Broder’s office on July 10. “So, I have reviewed it, but […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Connie Sampson has been hired to serve as interim chief of the Griffin Police Department. July 5 will be Sampson’s first day in office. The interim chief is responsible for the GPD’s day-to-day operations and management of its sworn and civilian personnel. GPD Chief Mike Yates has been on paid administrative […]
STAFF REPORT ::: The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office investigation into criminal allegations involving the Spalding County Animal Shelter has been completed. Sheriff Darrell Dix reports the investigation found no criminal acts or policy violations had occurred. According to Dix, the investigation was initiated after Spalding County Manager Steve Ledbetter reported criminal allegations that had been […]
STAFF REPORT ::: A former employee of the Spalding County Tax Commissioner’s Office, Alteria Williams, has been arrested on theft and computer crime related charges stemming from an investigation conducted by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO). Tax Commissioner Sylvia Hollums initially contacted the SCSO after she noticed irregularities. “I was contacted by Spalding County […]
STAFF REPORT ::: The Georgia Election Board has dismissed case SEB2020-059, a long-running investigation into alleged malfeasance during the 2020 election at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Over the course of the investigation, it was confirmed that numerous allegations made against the Fulton County Department of Registration and Elections, and specifically, two election workers, […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Several employees of the Spalding County Animal Shelter have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation being conducted by the Sheriff’s Office. After receiving information alleging serious issues involving the Animal Shelter, The GRIP submitted an Open Records request for information related to any 2023 investigation. Spalding […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Marie Broder has notified the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) of her intent to request an investigation of Griffin Police Department Sgt. D’Marquivius “D.J.” King. Broder’s request to the GBI is the result of an investigation conducted by The GRIP, which reported that King was reprimanded […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Griffin-Spalding Donation Center located at 220 E. Solomon St. will be open to receive donations from 2 to 5 p.m. today. Non-perishable food, toiletries, other personal items and gift cards are requested. No clothing will be accepted. Volunteers will also be in tremendous demand. If you are willing to volunteer, […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Griffin officials have declared a state of emergency and as part of that declaration, a curfew is in effect from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. It will remain in effect “until the conditions requiring this declaration are abated.” Residents, unless otherwise exempt, are required to remain in their homes or on […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates has temporarily reassigned all members of the Criminal Apprehension and Gang Enforcement (CAGE) Unit to other divisions. Yates’ internal memorandum – identified as a special order – said the temporary reassignments would be effective Jan. 8, 2023. A sweeping operational assessment of the Griffin Police […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Griffin Board of Commissioners has voted to authorize an operational assessment of the Griffin Police Department. The vote authorizing City Attorney Drew Whalen to move forward with a contract for this assessment was taken during the BoC’s Nov. 22 meeting. All discussion about the operational assessment and the vote authorizing […]
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix is refuting a social media post reporting a fire and riot inside the Spalding County Jail. The allegation posted on a local public Facebook forum said in part, “If anyone has family or friends inside of the Spalding County Jail, they should be aware that there […]
The GRIP 