Missing person report leads to arrest for trafficking meth

STAFF REPORT ::: What began as a missing person report resulted in an arrest for trafficking methamphetamine. At approximately 2:37 a.m. May 21, Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Nathan Gray conducted a traffic stop on a gold GMC Sierra pickup truck that was previously reported as being involved in a missing person incident from the […]

Spalding teen convicted in gang-related murder

STAFF REPORT ::: A Spalding County teenager, 17-year-old Cedravious Wilkerson, has been convicted of the Dec. 9, 2020, murder of 20-year-old Parrish Pierce. Pierce’s body was discovered in the woods off the 17th tee box of the Griffin Golf Course in City Park. The Griffin Police Department and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene, […]

Mother of deceased four-month-old baby now charged with murder

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Nakia Cloud, the mother of Zychion Damal Montgomery, a four-month-old baby who died in his father’s home early last Saturday morning, has now been charged with murder. Cloud and Zachary Montgomery, Zychion’s father, were initially charged with second degree cruelty to children, a felony. Those charges were upgraded after information was […]

Spalding deputy thwarts armed robbery in progress at gas station

STAFF REPORT ::: An alert Spalding County Sheriff’s Office deputy thwarted what authorities are describing as a violent armed robbery in progress. According to Sheriff Darrell Dix, Deputy Logan Smith was patrolling Highway 19/41 near Birdie Road with his K9 partner, Rambo, at approximately 10 p.m. Thursday when he became spotted two men coming from […]

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 […]

GPD: Domestic dispute ends with gunfire at Home Depot

STAFF REPORT ::: Two people are in custody after a domestic dispute that resulted in gunfire at the Home Depot. According to the Griffin Police Department, officers were dispatched to the Home Depot on Highway 16 shortly before 4 p.m. Authorities say two individuals were engaged in a domestic dispute that ended at that location. […]

BREAKING NEWS: 11-year-old Spalding County girl killed by stray bullet

STAFF REPORT ::: An 11-year-old little girl was shot and killed Tuesday morning when a stray bullet entered her bedroom window, striking and killing her instantly. According to Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, the shooting occurred at approximately 1 a.m. in Spalding Heights. “One of the rounds that was fired at the intended target missed, […]

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 […]

Suspect arrested in Monday home invasion, kidnapping of 71-year-old woman

STAFF REPORT ::: A Griffin man has been arrested in connection with the Monday morning home invasion and kidnapping and armed robbery of a 71-year-old woman. Authorities say the incident occurred on High Falls Road during the early morning hours of Feb. 13. Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Uniform Patrol Division deputies responded to a residence […]

Two suspects in October 2022 murder apprehended

STAFF REPORT ::: Two suspects being sought in connection with an October 2022 murder in Griffin Crossings Apartments is in custody. The Griffin Police Department and Spalding County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team on Tuesday executed a search warrant at the Griffin Inn and Suites located at 2010 N. Expressway. As a result, Manderrius Brown, age […]

Spalding man charged with 11 counts of obscene internet contact with a minor

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: A Spalding County man – Timothy Smallwood, age 41 – was among 11 people arrested on child exploitation charges by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) as a result of Operation Happy New Year. The GBI’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit and the GBI’s Special Enforcement Team (SET) partnered […]

Two suspects arrested in Pike convenience store theft case

STAFF REPORT ::: The Pike County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two suspects in connection with a Jan. 23 theft at Cadie’s Convenience Store located on Highway 19. Officials say a store employee reported a bank bag was stolen from the store. PCSO investigators say two suspects had worked together to distract the employee and steal […]