Georgia Mayor Faces Charges After Being Accused Of Storing Alcohol In Ditch For Inmates
52-year-old Benjamin Cary Cranford, the mayor of Thomson, Georgia, faces felony charges for reportedly hiding a bottle of gin in a ditch for state prison workers to access. He was indicted on Wednesday and apprehended by Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents. The charges include furnishing prohibited items to prisoners and attempting to commit a felony, per WRDW-TV. Cranford was indicted for allegedly buying a bottle of gin on June 3 and leaving it in a ditch that is accessible to a work crew of state prisoners in Thomson, Georgia. Officials requested an investigation into the matter. After a city council meeting, GBI agents apprehended Cranford at Thomson City Hall. He was booked into McDuffie County Jail and released Wednesday on $5,000 bail, according to the news outlet. Jason Smith, a city spokesperson, said, “As we understand the charges in this case are not related to Mr. Cranford’s duties as an elected official, we do not have a comment.” Cranford may face suspension from his position until the charges are settled if a panel notifies Governor Brian Kemp that the accusations can affect his ability to do his duties as mayor. #Clique, what are your thoughts?
Emory Healthcare Faces Lawsuit After Hospital Staff Allegedly Lost Part Of Man’s Skull During Surgery, Then Charged Him $19K To Build New One
A couple from Atlanta has sued Emory Healthcare, claiming the hospital lost part of a man’s skull during surgery, leading to more surgeries, pain, and high medical bills, per 11 Alive. Fernando and Melinda Cluster are requesting compensation after a piece of Fernando’s skull went missing at Emory University Hospital Midtown after he had surgery for a brain bleed. In their lawsuit, filed in DeKalb County State Court, they explain that on September 30, 2022, Fernando had a procedure called a decompressive hemicraniectomy, where a section of his skull, known as a bone flap, was removed. He was supposed to have that bone flap put back during another surgery on November 11, 2022. However, when the hospital staff went to find it, they realized that several bone flaps were either not labeled correctly or had no identification at all, making it impossible to tell which one belonged to Fernando. “They’re scared. They’re terrified every day. They got various contradictory messages about why surgery was postponed and ultimately, Emory told them that they had lost and misplaced a part of his skull,” the couple’s attorney Chloe Dallaire said. “It’s mind blowing, literally, not to play a pun on words, but an institution like Emory misplacing and mislabeling people’s body parts? It’s unfathomable,” Dallaire continued. Weeks later, Fernando received a 3D printed synthetic skull flap to replace the lost piece. Emory Hospital then reportedly tried charging him $19,000 for making the synthetic flap. The lawsuit mentions that the hospital billed Fernando for the synthetic flap, the extra days in the hospital, and the procedures needed because of the delay. “He was charged for the additional time he had to wait in the hospital for the flap to be made. Subsequently, he had an infection. The synthetic flap had to be removed. He had to spend more time in the hospital, and then he was charged for all the costs associated with a new flap and another surgery,” Dallaire told the outlet. The Clusters are seeking compensation for Fernando’s lasting injuries and over $146,845.60 in medical bills. Melinda claims his injuries have deprived her of his love, society, and companionship. They want a jury trial, asking for damages from Emory Healthcare and any other relief the court finds suitable. #Clique, what are your thoughts?
Sex Offender Who Escaped Oregon Prison 30 Years Ago Was Found In Georgia With A Stolen Identity
A man who escaped from an Oregon state prison almost 30 years ago and assumed the identity of a deceased child has been apprehended in Georgia, per CNN. Steven Craig Johnson, now 70, was convicted of sexual abuse charges and had been in Oregon Department of Corrections custody since June 1989. He escaped from prison in 1994 and has been living under a different name since 2011. He was arrested by the US Marshals Service on Tuesday and is now awaiting extradition back to Oregon. This case was reopened in 2015 and new leads were developed using advanced investigative technology. Johnson had reportedly stolen the identity of a child who died in Texas in January 1962. He was able to obtain a copy of the child’s birth certificate and was eventually able to get a Social Security number in Texas in 1995. Johnson was considered one of Oregon’s most wanted fugitives. He “is a pedophile and presents a high probability of victimizing pre-teen boys,” a 2019 wanted poster from the corrections department stated. “Fugitive Johnson should not be allowed contact with children.” According to Johnson’s neighbors, he was a quiet man and kept to himself. #Clique, what are your thoughts?
Mother Arrested After Her and Her Two Daughters Attacked Sam’s Club Employee Over Pizza, Reports Say
Employees at a Sam’s Club are requesting that a security guard be present in the store at all times after some customers attacked an employee over pizza, WSBTV reported. Cierra Monroe, who works in the cafe at the Sam’s Club on Jonesboro Road, shared that on July 10, a mother and her two daughters arrived just two minutes before closing time and wanted to order two whole pizzas. When the workers explained that it was too late, the customers insisted on speaking to a manager. When the manager did not arrive fast enough, Monroe said that the mother, Andreana McKnight, came around to the kitchen and punched her in the face. McKnight was arrested. Her 20-year-old pregnant daughter, Victoria Wilson, was taken to the hospital, and there is currently a warrant for her arrest. “The mom, she gets upset and she goes from in front of the register, and she comes back into the kitchen, and when she comes into the kitchen, she swings on me,” Monroe said. “Once she swings on me, she punches me in my face and then her two daughters come from the front. I was not expecting that at all.” Monroe shared that she is still experiencing headaches and has visible injuries such as bruises, scratches, and a scar on her face. She said she didn’t understand why Sam’s Club didn’t have a security guard present that day. Especially because a few days prior, another customer had attempted to attack a different employee, she explained. A spokesperson for Sam’s Club wouldn’t say their plans on hiring a full-time security, but he did say “their staff safety is a priority” and they’re working with Henry County police during the investigation. #Clique, what are your thoughts?
2 Former Georgia School Employees Charged After Allegedly Having Sex With Students, Reports Say
Two individuals who used to work for the City of Calhoun School District are facing serious allegations of engaging in sexual activity with students. Railey Greeson and Brooklyn Shuler have been indicted on charges of sexual contact by an employee or agent in the first degree, as stated in the indictment filed in Gordon County, per WSBTV. The allegations claim that between October 29, 2021, and January 3, 2022, Greeson had sexual intercourse with two male students, while Shuler had sex with one male student. The ages of the students involved have not been disclosed. The indictment said the women “reasonably should have known” the male students were enrolled as a student, thus violating Georgia Code 16-6-5.1(b), “contrary to the laws of said State, the good order, peace and dignity thereof.” The indictment does not provide specific information about which school or schools within the district employed the two women. #Clique, what are your thoughts?
Rockdale County Man Arrested For Illegally Selling THC Vape Pens To Middle School Students
A man is now facing multiple charges following his arrest for selling drugs to middle school students, reports WSBTV. The incident took place at a local middle school in Rockdale County, where school administrators confiscated THC vape pens from several students. After conducting an investigation to determine the source of the vape pens, law enforcement officials identified Samuel Estrada as the individual responsible for selling the illegal items to the children. Upon searching Estrada’s residence, authorities discovered a significant quantity of THC vape cartridges, marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, $12,000 in cash, and a firearm. As a result, Estrada is now facing several charges, including three counts of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and additional charges related to drugs and firearms. #Clique, what are your thoughts?
Man Killed Girlfriend and Disposed Her Body After She Discovered His Secret Marriage
A woman, Briana Winston, from Georgia was murdered and torched by her boyfriend, 23-year-old Michale Edwards. The Incident occurred back in March after confronting him about his secret marriage. The boyfriend, along with his wife, Brieanna Phillips-Edwards, brother, Keilan Wright, and mother, Ebony Anderson, are facing charges in connection to her disappearance, according to Fox News. Authorities believe that Winston was killed by Edwards, her child’s father, after a verbal disagreement about his alleged cheating. Edwards then put her body in a suitcase. He later drove to Tennessee using his wife’s vehicle, and scorched the body with the help of a friend, officials said. According to investigators, Edwards’ friend revealed that they disposed of the woman’s remains in two different locations. Edwards was apprehended for aggravated stalking. Upon learning he was a murder suspect while in jail, he sought aid from his relatives to hide evidence. Ashanti Marbury, the Lieutenant said, “It turned into a family affair… He definitely looped everyone into this crime.” According to Fox 5 Atlanta, Phillips-Edwards was caught asking his wife to burn shoes and gloves used in destroying his girlfriend’s body. Edwards enlisted his mother and brother to help burn the evidence, resulting in conspiracy charges for all. On April 1, Winston was reported missing after her family discovered that she stopped going to work on March 17. They also discovered her empty apartment, which smelled strongly of bleach. On April 26, the Clayton County Police Department released a statement declaring Winston as deceased, stating that she was a victim of a crime.
Intoxicated Middle School Teaching Assistant Arrested After Student Accidentally Drinks Her Vodka, Mistaking It For Mountain Dew
A teaching assistant (TA) at a middle school in Georgia was arrested and fired after a student mistakenly drank her bottle of vodka, thinking it was Mountain Dew, per the NY Post. The TA, Alexandra “Nicole” Lambert, 39, was let go from Morgan County Middle School after a student took a sip from her bottle, believing it to be soda. The student realized the mistake and reported it to another teacher, who then brought the issue to the principal’s attention. Lambert admitted that the bottle contained vodka but claimed it was brought to school accidentally. Morgan County Sheriff’s deputies were called and conducted a breathalyzer test, which revealed Lambert’s blood-alcohol level to be 0.259, more than three times the legal limit for driving in Georgia. Lambert was subsequently arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, specifically public drunkenness. She was then booked at the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office Adult Detention Facility. Morgan County Charter Schools acknowledged the incident in a statement addressed to parents and guardians, adding that Lambert “is no longer employed with our district.” The district added, “The safety of our staff and students is paramount, and we take all incidents seriously… We have zero tolerance for any behavior that could jeopardize their well-being.” #Clique, what are your thoughts?
Burglar Rescued After Being Trapped In Grease Vent Hood For Almost 9 Hours
A man in Cobb County, Georgia found himself stuck inside a vent grease hood after attempting to break into a local Mexican restaurant. According to WSBTV, the man had previously worked at three Mexican restaurants that he targeted. When employees arrived to open Los Bravos Mexican Restaurant on Roswell Road in East Cobb, they were surprised to find the man dangling from the vent above the stove. It took nine hours for the police and fire crews to free him from the vent, reports note. Surveillance footage captured the moment when first responders rescued Mauricio Serrano-Jimenez from the vent and carried him out of the kitchen. In another video, Serrano-Jimenez is being transported on a stretcher. According to Channel 2 reporter, Michele Newell, Serrano-Jimenez suffered a broken foot and has pressure ulcers on his body. “I see a guy. The guy’s legs are hanging from the hood of the kitchen. I can see from his waist to the bottom. He’s pleading for help and he’s thirsty. He wants water and I’m telling him, ‘Why did you do this?’ On top of the hood, there’s like a little opening, this guy probably thought he was slim enough to come through. He removed a couple of the filters so he could make it through,” said Angel. Surveillance footage emerged, allegedly showing Mauricio Serrano-Jimenez breaking into another restaurant through the vent grease hood. The incident occurred before his attempted break-in at Los Bravos. Serrano-Jimenez used a ladder to access the roof and stole hundreds of dollars. He is connected to three restaurant burglaries that allegedly happened between February and March. Court documents show the arrest warrants were issued in April. #Clique, what are your thoughts?
Georgia Cemetery Worker Denied Bond After Selling Pre-Owned Burial Plots To Grieving Families
A cemetery worker in Douglas County will remain in jail after being accused of selling burial plots that were already owned by others, per WSBTV. Pamela Teal, who is facing multiple charges including theft by deception and forgery, was denied bond by a judge. Families affected by this alleged scam claim that Teal pretended to be friendly and supportive, while secretly selling them plots that were already claimed by someone else. “Well, we thought she was our friend. She befriended all of us,” Tonya Key said. Key, whose 23-year-old daughter, Faith, died, says Teal has cost them their peace. “The sheriff’s department uncovered that our plot that our daughter was actually in and the one that my son-in-law actually bought, those belong to someone else,” Key described. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Pamela Teal has been found to have sold burial plots to multiple families, including the LaFleur family. The LaFleurs had purchased a plot for their 15-year-old son, Samuel Moon, who tragically lost his life after a Sweet 16 party. “I still don’t know if Samuel is in this spot where he was buried,” LaFleur said. The sheriff’s office is urging anyone who had any contact with Teal to come forward and contact them. #Clique, what are your thoughts?
