Latest news with #CherokeeSheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Woodstock man sentenced to 35 years for domestic violence case
The Brief William Scott Kirk II of Woodstock was sentenced to 35 years—10 in prison and 25 on probation—after pleading guilty to multiple felonies in a domestic violence case involving an armed standoff. The incident occurred in May 2024 when Kirk trapped his girlfriend inside an apartment with a handgun; SWAT teams rescued her safely after several hours. Kirk was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior conviction; five guns were found in his apartment following the arrest. CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. - A Woodstock man has been sentenced to 35 years after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges stemming from a domestic violence incident that led to an armed standoff and SWAT response last year. What we know William Scott Kirk II, 35, entered a negotiated guilty plea on April 25 to charges including family violence aggravated assault, false imprisonment, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon during the commission of a felony, according to District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Kirk will serve 10 years in prison, with the remaining 25 years on probation. He must also have no contact with the victim, complete a Family Violence Intervention Program, and undergo mental health and substance abuse evaluation and treatment. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on May 20, 2024, at an Alta Ridgewalk apartment in Woodstock. Prosecutors said a verbal argument between Kirk and his girlfriend escalated into physical violence, prompting the woman to leave and seek help from friends. When she later returned with those friends to retrieve her dog and personal belongings, Kirk allowed her inside but then locked the door, brandished a handgun, and prevented her from leaving. The friends, who witnessed Kirk holding the firearm and heard the woman screaming, immediately called 911. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded, including the Woodstock Police Department, Cherokee Sheriff's Office, and Holly Springs Police Department. The Cherokee Sheriff's Hostage Negotiation Team attempted to make contact with Kirk, but he refused to communicate. After several hours, SWAT officers entered the apartment, safely rescued the victim, and arrested Kirk. A search of the residence turned up five firearms, despite Kirk being a convicted felon prohibited from possessing weapons. What they're saying District Attorney Treadaway praised the law enforcement response, saying, "The explosive rage of this defendant posed a substantial risk to the safety of the victim and surrounding residents of the apartment complex. We are grateful for the swift and coordinated response of our law enforcement agencies that ensured the victim's safe rescue and protected our community as a whole." The case was investigated by the Cherokee Sheriff's Office and Woodstock Police Department, with assistance from the Holly Springs Police Department. What you can do If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the Cherokee Family Violence Center at or call their 24/7 crisis hotline at 770-479-1703. In an emergency, dial 911.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Acworth man convicted, sentenced for molesting 8-year-old child
The Brief 45-year-old Acworth man convicted of child molestation. Child found courage to tell mother after attending Shop with a Cop Christmas event. Dustin Wilkes sentenced to 40 years, with 20 served. CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga, - A 45-year-old Acworth man has been sentenced to 40 years, with the first 20 years in prison and the remainder on probation, for two counts of child molestation. What we know Dustin Luther Wilkes was sentenced on April 8 by Superior Court Judge Jennifer L. Davis, according to District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway, after being found guilty by a jury on Feb. 25. Wilkes is also forbidden to have contact with the named victims in the case. The Cherokee County investigation began in December 2023 after a child disclosed that Wilkes had been sexually assaulting her for several months. The defendant was known to the child and committed the acts when the child was in third grade. What they're saying "This predator manipulated his way into this family, to the point that he was often alone with an 8-year-old child and able to commit these criminal acts of molestation upon her. In the span of five months, a happy little girl became quiet and withdrawn," said Assistant District Attorney Meaghan Frankish, of the Special Victims Unit, who prosecuted this case on behalf of the State. It was while attending a Shop with a Cop Christmas event that the child found the courage to tell her mother what Wilkes had been doing. During a forensic interview, she described how Wilkes would climb on top of her and rub his body on her body and tell her he loved her. He also told her not to tell anyone what he was doing. The jury deliberated less than 30 minutes before finding Wilkes guilty. Prior to pronouncing her sentence, Judge Davis spoke about the bravery of the child and the positive impact law enforcement had on the course of her life through the Shop with a Cop event. The case was investigated by the Cherokee Sheriff's Office and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Meaghan Frankish, of the Special Victims Unit, Office of the District Attorney, Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit.
Miami Herald
18-03-2025
- Miami Herald
19-year-old was raped after leaving work in 1986, Georgia cops say. 76-year-old arrested
A registered sex offender has been charged in a decades-old rape case, thanks to a DNA match, Georgia deputies said. Thomas Lamar Keith, 76, was arrested Monday, March 17, on rape and kidnapping charges in the 1986 assault of a 19-year-old woman in Canton, according to the Cherokee Sheriff's Office. 'I never thought this day would ever come,' the woman, who asked not to be named, told deputies. 'I want to thank the Cherokee Sheriff's Office and the detectives who worked this case. Thank you for never giving up. You all have restored my faith in the justice system,' she said. The charges come 39 years after the woman was attacked as she left work at a local convenience store, deputies said. She was attacked as she got into her car and was taken to another location where she was raped, according to the release. A rape kit was collected, deputies said. However, it couldn't be tested and the case went cold. 'Thanks to the diligent efforts of our investigators and the GBI Crime Lab, we had a breakthrough when the sexual assault kit got a match in' the Combined DNA Index System, also known as CODIS, deputies said. Investigators said Keith is a registered sex offender in Fulton County and is suspected in another sexual assault from 1986. That case is under investigation. Keith remained in the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center without bond as of March 18, online records show. Canton is about a 40-mile drive north from downtown Atlanta.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
Sex offender charged with kidnapping, raping Cherokee County woman nearly 40 years ago
Nearly 40 years after a 19-year-old woman was kidnapped and attacked in Cherokee County, an arrest has been made. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office says DNA matching helped them identify Thomas Lamar Keith, now 76, as the suspect. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In January 1986, investigators say the young woman was closing up at the convenience store on Hickory Flat Highway where she worked. As she got into her car, she was attacked and taken to another location where she was sexually assaulted. At the time, a sexual assault kit was collected, but DNA technology was not advanced enough to determine a match. The sheriff's office says deputies arrested Keith on Monday and charged him with rape and kidnapping. He is currently a registered sex offender in Fulton County. 'I never thought this day would ever come. I want to thank the Cherokee Sheriff's Office and the detectives who worked this case. Thank you for never giving up. You all have restored my faith in the justice system,' the victim, who asked not to be identified, shared in a statement. TRENDING STORIES: Arrest made after woman's body found in Cobb County neighborhood Gwinnett 16-year-old missing for over 1 year found safe Autopsy results for twins found dead at top of GA mountain pending for more tests Investigators say they are currently working another sexual assault case from 1986 that has also been linked to Keith. 'This arrest is a huge step towards getting much deserved justice for our victims no matter how much time has passed. We hope it brings some measure of peace to the survivor,' said Sheriff Frank Reynolds. Keith is currently being held in the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Yahoo
Cherokee County man convicted of aggravated assault of battered woman
A jury convicted a Cherokee County man this week after he was charged with two counts of family violence aggravated assault. Jonathon Bailey Panter, 26, of Acworth committed multiple domestic assaults between February 13 and 18 of last year, at a home in the Acworth area of Cherokee County. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Cherokee Sheriff's Office became aware of the incident after a friend took the injured woman to the hospital for treatment. Officials say the victim and Panter lived in the same home. As investigators learned more, the victim told them Panter beat her 'half to death,' and she had bruises and abrasions all over her body. TRENDING STORIES: Gary Jones: Homegoing scheduled for teacher recovered from Lake Oconee 73 days into 2025 and already 140 plane crashes in US, 4 in Georgia Be weather aware: Severe storms likely this weekend with potential for large hail, tornadoes The woman also showed signs of petechial hemorrhaging in her eye, which is a sign of strangulation, investigators said. Superior Court Judge Tony Baker announced Panter's sentencing would be set for a future date. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
