Latest news with #MuscogeeCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘We need to honor that sacrifice': The 2025 Peace Officer's Memorial Service
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — Law enforcement officers, families, and community members came together at the Bibb Mill Event Center to honor the ultimate sacrifice made by fallen officers. The annual Peace Officers' Memorial Service, hosted by the Fraternal Order of Police, recognized fallen officers from across Georgia and Alabama. This year's Roll Call of Heroes included names stretching back to the 1800s, each read aloud and honored in solemn silence. There were 43 names called. Each name that echoed through the room served as a reminder of the lives lost. The service included a proclamation from Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson. As well as representative speakers from the Columbus Police Department, Muscogee County Sheriff's Office, Muscogee County Prison, and Rutledge State Prison. 'We need to honor that sacrifice both on the part of the officer as well as their families.' said Sgt. Kelly Phillips, the Fraternal Order of Police, Vice President. 'I would hope the public would look at an event like this and realize there are still individuals out there who want to serve, who want to help… and that we're human too.' The Fraternal Order of Police says the memorial is also a reminder to the public that behind every badge is a person, and behind every name is a family. The Peace Officers' Memorial Service is held each year in May, aligning with National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15th. The Fraternal Order of Police says it hopes to see even greater turnout next year as the community continues to honor its heroes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
10 people plead guilty in massive drug trafficking case by Muscogee County Sheriff's Office
Editor's Note: The video above is part of WRBL's initial coverage of the announcement of Operation Sweet Silence. COLUMBUS, Ga. () — Nine people arrested as part of the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office's massive 'Operation Sweet Silence' drug bust have plead guilty to drug trafficking charges. According to the United States Attorney's Office Middle District of Georgia, defendant Tommie Mullins, Jr. aka 'TJ' aka 'Bo' aka 'Mini,' 31, of Columbus, came before U.S. District Judge Clay Land and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute. Mullins will serve 20 years as part of the plea agreement. Nine co-defendant also pleaded guilty in the case. Trenton Thomas aka Bubbles, 25, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute and two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on May 9 and faces a maximum of life imprisonment Trenton Clemons, 48, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on May 9 and faces a maximum of life imprisonment Adrian Palmer aka AP, 24, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on May 6 and faces a mandatory minimum of ten years imprisonment Darius Jenkins, 23, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on April 25 and faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment Christopher Hill, 36, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of use of a communication facility to facilitate drug felony on April 25 and faces a maximum of four years imprisonment Corey Turner aka 'Lito' aka 'Lito Red,' 33, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute on April 22 and faces a mandatory minimum of ten years up to a maximum of life imprisonment Anthony Champion, 45, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine on April 22 and faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment Javonta Paden, 24, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana on April 22 and faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment Adrian Pleasants, 29, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana on April 22 and faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment. Mullins and the co-defendants still have to face federal sentencing, which is scheduled for Aug. 7. There is no parole in the federal system. These arrest represent a small portion of the total number of people taken into custody as part of 'Operation Sweet Silence.' According to the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office the multi-agency operation resulted in the arrest of more than 100 people. According to the United States Attorney's Office Middle District of Georgia, 'Operation: Sweet Silence' is part of the larger 'Operation Take Back America.' The United States Attorney's Office Middle District of Georgia calls 'Operation Take Back America' a nationwide initiative that, 'marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.' WRBL's previous coverage of 'Operation Sweet Silence' here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
One Columbus child advocate applauds online sexual predator sting that netted 19 arrests
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — There are 19 men sitting in the Muscogee County Jail right now facing human trafficking charges for trying to have sex with minors. They were arrested as part of a Muscogee County Sheriff's Office multi-agency online sting called 'Operation Lights Out.'For one local advocate for the young girls and boys who are the victims of crimes like this, news of the arrests is a victory. Bobbi Starr/Executive Director Micah's Promise 'This is the exact thing that has needed to happen for a very long time, going after the perpetrator, the ones who drive the crimes against children and that are the perpetrator, the johns, the buyers of sex, that drive this issue of human trafficking of children. And they have faced no consequences.' Bobbi Starr runs Micah's Promise, a Columbus non-profit organization that helps minors caught up in sex trafficking. She has seen law enforcement turn away from charging the minors to targeting the Monday's sting operation led by the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office and the GBI was just the type of focus on the problem she has been praying for. 'And the only way to stop this and stop them is to give them really harsh consequences, because really the children are the only ones who have been facing the consequences,' Starr said. Sheriff Greg Countryman also sees it that way.'The young boys and young girls involved, they are not the criminals, they're the victims,' he said. 'And right now what we want to do is that we want to be that voice for them. We want to be the person who will fight for them. We want to be the person who will advocate for them.' Those arrested ranged in age from 21 years old to 68. They came to Columbus from the local area and as far away as Illinois seeking sex with minors. They were lured by an online law enforcement operation that did not include children. District Attorney Don Kelly acknowledges this was a small step. 'This is the tip of the iceberg,' he said. 'This is what we see in a four-day operation. There's a lot more individuals out there who are willing to take advantage of children.' 'Exponentially more,' Starr said. 'This is the tip of the iceberg. This is nothing. Thousands, you know. In the end, the charges here. Here's also what I'm going to be watching and what I'm super hopeful. I heard our district attorney say that he is going to the highest letter of the law, that he is going to hold them to the highest charges possible. I want to see those human trafficking charges. He can win those cases.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
19 men, ages 21-68, arrested in 4-day human trafficking operation in Georgia
MUSCOGEE COUNTY, Ga. - Nineteen men ranging in age from 21 to 68 have been arrested in a four-day human trafficking operation in Georgia targeting online predators who attempted to exploit children. What we know Dubbed Operation Lights Out, the undercover sting was led by the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), and the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The operation ran from April 25 to April 27 and involved 12 law enforcement agencies from across Georgia and beyond. According to officials, the suspects engaged in sexually explicit communication online with people they believed to be minors and arranged to meet them for sex. Some traveled to do so, unaware they were actually interacting with undercover agents. Authorities say both boys and girls were targeted. What they're saying "These predators will travel from near and far to victimize your children," said a statement from the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office. "We take these crimes against children very seriously." Officials urged parents to closely monitor their children's online activity, warning that many predators use social media and internet chat platforms to make contact with minors and introduce them to sexual content. What's next Several of the suspects face charges under Georgia's Human Trafficking law, while others were charged under the Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act. Three of the men arrested are also subject to ICE detainers due to their immigration status. Those arrested include: Isael Alvarez, 43, Columbus, GA – Human Trafficking, ICE detainer Marquise Anderson, 37, Seale, AL – Human Trafficking Darnell Brooks, 40, Box Springs, GA – Human Trafficking Roger Burkes, 62, Columbus, GA – Computer/Child Exploitation charges Javious Davenport, 30, LaGrange, GA – Human Trafficking Kevin Edosmwan, 38, Atlanta, GA – Computer/Child Exploitation charges Jonathan Evans, 46, LaGrange, GA – Human Trafficking Galvin Gordey, 44, Pittsview, AL – Human Trafficking Muhammed Gwandu, 68, Ontario, Canada – Human Trafficking, ICE detainer Gene Melner, 37, Palatine, IL – Human Trafficking Greggory Meeks, 45, LaGrange, GA – Human Trafficking Colton McLamb, 23, Valley, AL – Computer/Child Exploitation charges Zidarius Poole, 21, Columbus, GA – Computer/Child Exploitation charges Hunter Salmi, 22, Phenix City, AL – Computer/Child Exploitation charges Marco Santos Chavez, 30, Fort Payne, AL – Human Trafficking, ICE detainer Anthony Seldon, 34, Columbus, GA – Human Trafficking, Fleeing, Obstruction, Reckless Driving Cameron Shelley, 25, Columbus, GA – Human Trafficking Jungmok Shin, 33, Phenix City, AL – Human Trafficking Carl Sprayberry, 32, Columbus, GA – Human Trafficking Additional arrests and charges may follow as the investigation continues. Agencies involved in the operation: Muscogee County Sheriff's Office Georgia Bureau of Investigation Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) U.S. Secret Service Homeland Security Investigations U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division Forsyth, Cherokee, Jasper, and Colquitt County Sheriff's Offices Polk County Police Department Gwinnett County Police Department Officials say this will not be the last human trafficking operation conducted in Georgia as law enforcement remains focused on ending child exploitation.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Muscogee County touts success, over 1000 pounds of drugs collected on Prescription Takeback day
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — Over 1,000 pounds of prescription drugs were collected by the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office and the Georgia Department of Public Health on National Prescription Drug Takeback Day, the sheriff's office announced today. In the MCSO and the Department of Public Health's joint effort, 52 boxes of medication were collected, weighing a total of 1,150 pounds. On a Facebook post by Sheriff Greg Countryman, he says 'This keeps prescription drugs out of the hands of those who should not have them, like our children. It also keeps people from flushing the medications and ending up in our water system.' The event was in hopes that citizens in the Columbus area would drop-off expired or unused prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Narcan, a medicine that can treat a narcotic overdose in an emergency situation, was also available for distribution. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
