Document Center
The Document Center provides easy access to public documents. Click on one of the categories below to see related documents or use the search function.
Categories always sorted by seq (sub-categories sorted within each category)
Documents sorted by _RECORDID in Descending Order within category
Documents sorted by _RECORDID in Descending Order within category
20258 documents
- METH TRAFFICKING AND GUN CONVICTIONS UPHELD The Georgia Court of Appeals recently upheld the conviction of Pamela Adams. Adams was convicted by a Haralson County jury in February of 2024 for trafficking methamphetamine, possession of lorazepam and firearm charges. Adams was sentenced by Chief Judge Mark Murphy to 25 years with 10 years to be spent in confinement and a $200,000 fine. Chief Assistant District Attorney Robert Peterkin led the prosecution and the appeal effort on behalf of the State of Georgia. The case arose when Buchanan Police stopped Adams for suspended registration. Adams also had pending warrants for an unrelated matter. After the arrest, a firearm was found on Adams’ person and the drugs were found in her vehicle. District Attorney Jaeson Smith stated “Chief ADA Peterkin is doing a great job leading our Haralson County Office. His expertise in the courtroom and appellate skills are second to none. He is putting fear in those who bring dangerous drugs into our community.”
- MCCLARITY SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE PLUS 115 YEARS On April 30th 2025 Randy Feleciano McClarity age 60, was sentenced to life without parole plus 115 years in Polk County Superior Court. This sentence is following a trial where a Polk County jury returned a guilty verdict on March 14th 2025. The prosecution of the case was led by Assistant District Attorney Kayleigh Carter and Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Alison Karch on behalf of the State. The State presented evidence at trial that on August 16, 2022, McClarity shot and killed Summer Bryant and moments later shot Julie Thigpin in the ear. McClarity immediately drove to a local auto lot where he was apprehended by law enforcement. The Honorable Andrew B. Roper presided over the case during the trial and imposed the sentence of Count 1 Malice Murder life without parole, Count 2 Felony Murder vacated by operation of law, Count 4 Aggravated Assault merged with count 1, Count 5 Aggravated Assault 20 years to serve consecutive to count 1, Count 6 Aggravated Assault 20 years to serve consecutive to count 5, Count 7 Terroristic Threats 5 years to serve consecutive to count 6, Count 8 Terroristic Threats 5 years to serve consecutive to count 7, Count 9 Terroristic Threats 5 years to serve consecutive to count 8, Count 10 Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Felony 15 years to serve consecutive to count 9, Count 11 Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Felony 15 years to serve consecutive to count 10, Count 12 Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Felony 15 years to serve consecutive to count 11, and Count 13 Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Felony 15 years to serve consecutive to count 12. The total sentence imposed, life without the possibility of parole plus 115 years to be served in confinement. During sentencing, McClarity continually shouted expletives at the court and prosecutors. District Attorney Jaeson Smith stated, “Mr. McClarity showed absolutely no remorse for the crimes he had committed and continued to belittle the victim and witnesses throughout the hearing. I know this sentence will not ease the pain of Ms. Bryant’s family and loved ones. However, I am confident they will find hope in knowing justice was served.”
- DA INVESITGATOR AWARDED BY M.A.D.D. Congratulations to District Attorney Investigator Stacia Williams! She has been recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) for her efforts in combating those who drive under the influence.
- JURY CONVICTS TWO DEFENDANTS OF TRAFFICKING METHAMPHETAMINE On March 6, 2025, a Haralson County jury returned a guilty verdict against Terrell Guy Bruce, and Patricia Neal for trafficking methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of methamphetamine. Ms. Neal was also convicted of giving the false name of Bridgette Skye Jones to a police officer. Chief Superior Court Judge Mark H. Murphy presided over the trial and will sentence the defendants on May 14, 2025. Chief Assistant District Attorney Robert Peterkin prosecuted the case. The lead law enforcement officer on the case was Gene Brown. Brown is now the Chief of Police of the Tallapoosa Police Department. The evidence presented at trial established that Officer Brown conducted a traffic stop on a Dodge pickup truck because it did not having a working tag light. The traffic stop occurred on August 4, 2020, at about 11:30pm. Officer Brown made contact with the driver of the vehicle, Ms. Neal. She advised him that she did not have a driver’s license and provided him with the name of Bridgette Skye Jones. Officer Brown asked her to exit the vehicle in order to show her the malfunctioned tag light. Ms. Neal complied. Officer Brown then observed that Ms. Neal had a plastic baggie sticking out of her bra. She said it was empty and handed it to him. The officer observed suspected methamphetamine in the plastic baggie and asked her for consent to search the vehicle. She agreed. The officer asked the front seat passenger, Terrell Guy Bruce, to exit the vehicle. A pat down of his person led to the discovery of over $1,300 in cash and a small amount of suspected marijuana. A search of the pickup truck led to the discovery of over 50 grams of methamphetamine, numerous empty plastic baggies normally used to package narcotics, a digital scale used for weighing drugs, and numerous syringes. The case was initially scheduled for jury trial on June 26, 2023. However, Terrell Bruce failed to show up for trial and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. Subsequently, law enforcement located him in Hawaii and he was extradited to Georgia. District Attorney Jaeson Smith stated, “At trial, Robert Peterkin masterfully presented the evidence to the jury. On behalf of the Haralson County District Attorney’s Office, I would like to thank the Tallapoosa Police Department and former Drug Task Force Agent Brian Rutherford for the hard work on this case.”
- MCCLARITY FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER On March 14, 2025, a Polk County jury returned a guilty verdict against Randy McClarity for malice murder, felony murder, three counts of aggravated assault, three counts of terroristic threats and other gun charges. Superior Court Judge Andrew Roper presided over the trial and will sentence McClarity on April 30, 2025. Assistant District Attorney Kaleigh Carter Mull and Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Alison Karch prosecuted the case on behalf off the State. The lead law enforcement officers on the case were Kevin Young of the Cedartown Police Department and Ghee Wilson of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. The evidence presented at trial established that during the early morning hours of August 16, 2022, McClarity shot and killed Summer Bryant and moments later shot Julie Thigpin in the ear. McClarity immediately drove to a local auto lot where he was apprehended by law enforcement. District Attorney Jaeson Smith stated, “Our hearts absolutely go out to the family of Ms. Bryant. We can only hope this verdict brings Summer’s family and friends closure knowing justice will be served. I want to thank the Cedartown Police Department and the GBI for a great investigation. And a special thank you to our victim advocates who helped the family of Ms. Bryant throughout the trial process.”
- VANCE DRUG FORFEITURE CASE The Georgia Court of Appeals has just upheld a DRUG FORFEITURE CASE involving a Dodge Charger belonging to Joseph Andrew Vance. Vance pled GUIlTY to distribution of drugs in March of 2024. However, Vance challenged the taking of the vehicle he used to distribute drugs. Senior Assistant D.A. Lisa Mason tried the case involving the vehicle before Judge Andrew Roper. Mason also led the appeal effort.
- DA SPENDS EVENING AT CAPITOL TESTIFYING ON BEHALF OF LEO D.A. Jaeson Smith, along with several other elected District Attorneys, recently spent an evening testifying at the Capitol for a bill which would keep more law enforcement officers on the road protecting our communities
- DA ASSISTS IN TAKING CUSTODY OF MISSING CHILD On April 9, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Lieutenant Heather Mecillas with the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office contacted District Attorney Jaeson Smith regarding a toddler located in Haralson County, who was believed to have been reported as “missing” in the State of Missouri two months ago. A judge in the State of Kansas had also issued an ordere requesting out-of-state assistance in finding the child. District Attorney Smith, while working the Lieutenant Mecillas, used a relatively unknown law which gives the District Attorney the ability to authorize local law enforcement to use any lawful action necessary to take custody of a child. Within two hours, the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office had taken custody of the child. “Though local civilians who identified the child are the true heros today, law enforcement’s quick action and teamwork in locating and taking custody of this child was second to none,” stated District Attorney Jaeson Smith.
20243 documents
- BIGGS SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE The Defendant, Jalen Skakur Biggs, having been found guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, and Aggravated Assault on November 2, 2023, had his sentencing hearing at the Haralson County Courthouse on Monday, January 8, 2024, at 9:30am, in front of Chief Judge Mark Murphy. After having had a pre-sentence investigation conducted by the Department of Community Supervision, and the report being provided to the Court and all parties, the hearing was held with witnesses testifying on both sides. The State called the murder victim’s father, mother, sister, and brother to testify in person. Each family member asked the Court to render a sentence of Life without the possibility of parole. The Defendant called several family members and a former employer via zoom to ask the Court for the Defendant to receive a sentence of Life with the possibility of parole. Judge Murphy, after hearing from both sides, made the decision to sentence Jalen Biggs to life without the possibility of parole for the February 22, 2021, murder of Keith Basham. This case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Sarah Japour, along with Assistant District Attorney Robert Peterkin and Victim Advocate Melanie McCarty and Assistant District Attorney Alison Karch. Japour stated, “We are grateful for all the people and agencies involved in seeking justice for the victim in this case and hope that this sentence, while never bringing the victim back, will give the family some peace and closure going forward.”
- DA SEIZES OVER $59K AND FIREARM An order granting the State $59,130 and Glock 26 handgun was issued this week by Superior Court Judge Andrew Roper. The District Attorney’s Office filed the case to forfeit the funds and handgun after Jeffery Hodges was found in possession of over 164 grams of cocaine. On June 24, 2021, a Polk County Police officer clocked a Porsche SUV at 84 mile per hour on Highway 27 South. The vehicle fled the officer at high rate of speed until crashing and rolling over on Lake Creek Road. Officer Kathleen Hansbrough located a bag in the vehicle with banded stacks of $100 bills totaling $56,000. A large amount of various drugs, sandwich baggies, scales and mail belonging to Hodges were also located in the bag. Hodges was wearing a fanny pack with the remaining currency and handgun inside. Assistant District Attorney Lisa Mason led the forfeiture case for the State. A female associate of Hodges, who was not in the vehicle at the time of the crash, attempted to claim the currency. Chief Assistant District Attorney Jaeson Smith stated, “These cases can become very complex with outside claims. However, Ms. Mason put up a great case and was able to prove that the funds and firearm were tied to the drug trade. We would like to thank the Polk County Police Department for their diligent investigation of the case. The District Attorney’s Office is extremely proud of the result and hope the community can be proud one more drug dealer is off the streets and the money he was making will now go to fight other dealers.” Smith continued, “The District Attorney’s Office was able to bring the leading expert in the State of Georgia on drug asset forfeitures to train officers from every law enforcement department in Polk County. We are now reaping the rewards of training and better equipping our local officers.”
- SIMS SENTENCED TO 40 YEARS Superior Court Judge Andrew Roper sentenced Robert Scott Sims, 71, of Buchanan, to serve 20 years in prison, with 20 years on probation to follow. Sims was arrested following a Georgia Bureau of Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force tip. The Task Force was alerted to a Dropbox account, which had nearly 7,000 images of confirmed child pornography. This tip lead the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office securing warrants for Sims’ home and computers. A forensic analysis of Sims’ computers, by the Carrollton Police Department, ultimately discovered over one million images of suspected child pornography. After a lengthy process of reviewing and categorizing many of the images, a Haralson County Grand Jury indicted Sims on thirty-eight counts of sexual exploitation of children. Deputy Chief Assistant D.A. Sarah Japour of the Haralson County District Attorney’s Office led the prosecution for the State. On Friday, September 6, Sims pled guilty to 37 counts of child exploitation. A sentencing hearing took place where Investigator Heather Mecillas testified to the court how the case was ultimately discovered and investigated. Mecillas testified that Sims not only possessed these images, he also distributed thousands of images to other internet users. Many family and community members testified for Sims. Chief Assistant D. A. Jaeson Smith stated, “On behalf of the Office of the District Attorney, we would like to thank the GBI ICAC Task Force, the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office and the Carrollton Police Department for the hundreds of hours put into this case. Sarah Japour and Robert Peterkin, of our Haralson County office, did a tremendous job presenting the case.” Smith continued, “This is the largest child pornography case the Tallapoosa Circuit has ever seen. If we were to line these children shoulder to shoulder, we would have over 190 miles of children who were abused and filmed. Though most of the photos and videos originate from foreign countries, the number of images Mr. Sims possessed is equivalent to one third of every ten year old in the United States. We are grateful to Judge Roper for his sentence and hope that it sends a message to those who prey on our weakest victims.”
