GPD Chief allowed no contact with city employees or access to city premises

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates, who begins his third week of administrative leave on Friday, has been ordered to have no contact with any city of Griffin employees and to refrain from coming on any city property. Griffin City Manager Jessica O’Connor placed Yates on what she said is a […]

GPD Chief Mike Yates administrative leave related to GBI investigation of murder case

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The city of Griffin has confirmed that GPD Chief Mike Yates was placed on administrative leave in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The GBI case is related to GPD Sgt. D’Marquivius “D.J.” King, who initially received a written reprimand in November 2021 […]

BREAKING NEWS: Griffin PD Chief Mike Yates on administrative leave

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Two wounded in Griffin in separate Saturday night shootings

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Two people were wounded in separate Saturday night shootings in the city of Griffin. Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates said one person was shot near 2nd Street and Central Avenue. That victim walked to the hospital for treatment. A second person was shot on Tinsley Street at approximately midnight. The […]

Griffin officials decline to comment on GPD sergeant involved in murder cover-up

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: City of Griffin officials have declined to respond to the most basic questions related to Griffin Police Department (GPD) Sgt. D’Marquivius “D.J.” King, even refusing to cite his current employment status. King, while assigned to the GPD Criminal Intelligence Division (CID), covered up the May 9, 2021, murder of Javarreis Reid […]

DA will seek GBI investigation of GPD officer who concealed brother’s alleged role in murder

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 […]

Damon Beck, Griffin Police officer’s brother, apprehended for 2021 murder

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The GRIP has learned that Damon Marquis Beck, a suspect in the May 9, 2021, murder of Javarreis Reid, has been arrested. Beck is currently being held in the Spalding County Jail on charges of murder and aggravated assault. Beck is the brother of Griffin Police Department Sgt. D’Marquivius “D.J.” King. […]

Griffin PD officer covered up murder by concealing his brother’s alleged involvement

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Internal Griffin Police Department records indicate an officer covered up a murder by shielding a suspect. Disciplinary records obtained by The GRIP establish that Sgt. D’Marquivius “D.J.” King deliberately concealed the alleged involvement of his brother, Damon Beck, in the May 9, 2021, murder of Javarreis Reid. The body of Javarreis […]

GPD charges 15-year-old with murder in Tuesday domestic-related stabbing

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: A 15-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with an early Tuesday morning homicide. Griffin Police Department Uniform Patrol Officers responded to a residence in the 100 block of W. Tinsley Street at approximately 6 a.m. in reference to a domestic dispute. Upon arrival at 115 W. Tinsley St. Apartment A, […]

Two homes off N. Hill Street, one occupied, struck by gunfire in shooting incident

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Two  homes sustained damage in a Thursday evening shooting incident in the vicinity of N. Hill and Realty streets. After responding to the area in response to a shots fired call, Officer Willie Deese, of the Griffin Police Department Uniform Patrol Division, was flagged down by a man who reported having […]

Police: Stolen firearm and narcotics located where two juveniles were shot

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Griffin Police Department investigation of a Thursday afternoon shooting that left two juveniles wounded is ongoing. Uniform Patrol Division officers were dispatched to the 1700 block of Carrington Drive in response to a person shot call. Upon arrival, officers discovered a 15-year-old male had sustained a gunshot wound to the […]

GPD: Two juveniles wounded in apparent drug deal-related shooting

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Griffin Police Department is investigating a Thursday afternoon shooting that left two wounded. According to GPD Chief Mike Yates, two juveniles – one 15-years-old and the second 17-years-old – were shot. Yates said the shooting appears to have occurred during an apparent drug deal. “Both were uncooperative but have been […]

District Attorney will not request GBI investigation of GPD roadside strip search

The initial alleged offense was failure to obey a traffic control device, with Sgt. John Kelton alleging the driver stopped beyond the white stripe. To protect the woman’s identity, The GRIP will not identify any of the occupants involved in the traffic stop. According to Broder, GPD CAGE Unit Officer Alyssa Hanson had no criminal […]

BREAKING NEWS: Griffin home-based daycare provider facing 35 child abuse related charges

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Connie Banks Pound, the owner of a Griffin home-based childcare facility, is facing 35 criminal charges – 19 felonies and 16 misdemeanors – related to a child abuse investigation. Griffin Police Department investigators say Pound, whose childcare business is operated at her 835 Hanover Drive residence, physically abused multiple children in […]

Two people wounded in Monday night shooting; residences, vehicles also damaged

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Two people were wounded in a shooting Sunday night on North Hill Street. Griffin Police Department officer Willie Deese reported he was patrolling in the area when he heard several gunshots fired. Deese and additional Uniform Patrol Division officers located what Deese described as a “large gathering” in front of 419 […]