Sheriff’s Office withheld records at will prior to issuance of court order

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: “The General Assembly finds and declares that the strong public policy of this state is in favor of open government; that open government is essential to a free, open and democratic society; and that public access to public records should be encouraged to foster confidence in government and so that the […]

Griffin PD officer resigns following DUI arrest

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Cpl. Chad Moxon, of the Griffin Police Department Uniform Patrol Division, was on Monday, Sept. 21 arrested by the Pike County Sheriff’s Office on charges of DUI and failure to maintain a lane. According to Chief Steve Heaton, Moxon has since voluntarily resigned from the GPD. “I was notified Tuesday morning […]

Flint River Astronomy Club hosts lunar eclipse viewing

Dr. William Warren ::: Special Contributor to The Grip On Sunday evening, Sept. 27, weather permitting, you can see one of nature’s most stunning and beautiful displays – a total lunar eclipse. It will last from 8:40 p.m. until 12:55 a.m., but the best time to watch it will be from 9:07 p.m. until 12:27 […]

Commissioner: Believes “the evidence is there” that Sheriff’s Office violated the law

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Spalding County Commissioner Gwen Flowers-Taylor on Thursday addressed her fellow commissioners and other county officials, expressing her concerns about the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office’s responses to Open Records requests in the David Gibson investigation. Flowers-Taylor acknowledged that as a constitutional officer, Sheriff Wendell Beam has the authority to hire and fire […]

GPD: Girl struck by vehicle at bus stop expected to make full recovery

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The six-year-old little girl who was stuck by a Ford Escape early Thursday morning remains in the Intensive Care Unit at Egleston Children’s Hospital, but she is expected to survive her injuries. According to Lt. Curtis Keys, of the Griffin Police Department Uniform Patrol Division, the girl’s father reports her injuries […]

Young girl struck by vehicle Thursday morning as she walked to bus stop

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: A six-year-old girl was critically injured Thursday morning when she was struck by a white Ford Escape. According to Lt. Curtis Keys, of the Griffin Police Department Uniform Patrol Division, the incident occurred as the child was en route to her bus stop. “A group of kids were walking southbound on […]

David Gibson granted bond

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: David Gibson, formerly the captain of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Uniform Patrol Division, appeared before Judge Robert M. Crawford in Spalding County Superior Court Monday for a bond hearing on ten charges brought last week by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Gibson, who is charged with aggravated assault, two counts […]

GPD investigating Sunday afternoon shooting

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Griffin Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred approximately 25 minutes ago in the 200 block of W. Quilly St. According to Lt. Curtis Keys, of the GPD Uniform Patrol Division, witnesses are reporting that a two men on foot approached and fired multiple shots towards a separate group of approximately […]

GBI arrest warrants detail criminal allegations against David Gibson

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The arrest warrants obtained by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation against David Gibson, formerly the captain of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Uniform Patrol Division, allege criminal wrongdoing dating back as early as 2008. Gibson was arrested by the GBI Sept. 10, when he turned himself in to the Spalding County […]

Officials say no threats of violence have been made against local schools

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Local law enforcement and school officials say they are aware of social media discussions regarding threats of violence tomorrow against school children and teachers, but they have received no information pertaining to any threats in Griffin-Spalding County. According to Judy Parker, executive director of the Griffin-Spalding County School System’s Communications and […]

David Gibson, former SCSO captain, denied bond

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Grip has now learned that David Gibson, formerly the captain of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Uniform Patrol Division, has faced a judge for his first appearance hearing and bond was denied. During the first appearance hearing, Gibson was advised of his rights and of the charges brought against him by […]

David Gibson, former SCSO captain, charged with multiple sex crimes, aggravated assault and other crimes

  STAFF REPORTS ::: David Gibson, the former captain over the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Uniform Patrol Division, has been arrested by the GBI on nine charges including aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated sexual battery, influencing witnesses, stalking, public indecency, sexual battery and violation of oath of office. Gibson on Thursday morning turned himself […]

BREAKING NEWS: David Gibson, former SCSO captain, arrested by GBI

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Grip has learned that David Gibson, formerly the captain over the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Uniform Patrol Division, has been arrested by the GBI. Gibson on May 21 retired in lieu of termination following an Internal Affairs investigation involving allegations of sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment, improper use […]

Sheriff: Spalding County armed robbery suspect now in custody, facing multiple charges

STAFF REPORTS ::: According to Spalding County Sheriff Wendell Beam, 22-year-old Hermon Judon Jackson, of 2808 Sable Chase Blvd., McDonough, has been charged with the Aug. 16, 2015, armed robbery of the Comfort Inn and Suites located at 1905 North Expressway. Jackson faces an additional charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. […]

Attorney, Sheriff: Legal action not a conspiracy, cover up

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: After confirming the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office did not obtain a search warrant prior to seizing, searching and obtaining pornographic photographs and text messages from a cell phone belonging to David Gibson, formerly the captain of the SCSO Uniform Patrol Division, The Grip has learned of additional activities surrounding the obtaining […]