A Venezuelan man named Jose Ibarra is accused of murdering nursing student Laken Riley on the University of Georgia’s campus earlier this year. A prosecutor stated that Ibarra went looking for women and killed Riley after she resisted his attack. Ibarra, who entered the U. S. illegally two years ago, faces multiple charges, including murder. He opted for a trial without a jury, and his case will be overseen by Judge H. Patrick Haggard.
A man from Rossville named Jarred Hosch was sentenced to 60 years in prison for creating a pornographic image of his intellectually disabled child. Hosch pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a child, soliciting child molestation, and soliciting sexual exploitation of a child. Evidence found on his phones by Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents included child sexual abuse materials and disturbing chat logs where Hosch fantasized about raping and torturing a young girl. Judge Chris Arnt sentenced him to 66 years, with 60 to be served in prison. The prosecution team, led by Deanna Reisman and Zachary Trippe, worked with law enforcement partners to secure the conviction. District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller praised the relentless efforts of the investigative team in protecting children from sexual predators and thanked Judge Arnt for the severe sentence.
A thirty-six-year-old Armuchee man was arrested last week after Floyd County Police say he used the debit card belonging to a used car dealer to make multiple purchases. Cody Franklin McCollum was arrested on sixteen counts of financial transaction card fraud. They say that McCollum used the card to obtain money, goods, and services by conducting fifteen transactions between August 7 and September 24.The transactions totaled $938.50. He also used the card to make a cash app transaction in the amount of $123.60.
The Georgia Opioid Settlement Advisory Commission has endorsed how the initial portion of a significant $638 million settlement with opioid manufacturers and distributors should be utilized. $44. 4 million has been designated for 130 projects in the first year of a 20-year initiative, focusing on treatment, prevention, naloxone availability, and research to address the opioid crisis. Opioid overdose deaths have decreased nationwide for the first time since 2018, including in Georgia. The high demand for funding resulted in over 300 applications totaling $248 million, with the current distribution process involving regional boards and a trustee, Kevin Tanner. The aim is to finalize grants by the end of the year and start the next grant application cycle in the spring. The funding, which includes $638 million overall, will be mostly distributed through the grant process, with $159 million going to the city of Atlanta and major Georgia counties through a separate process. This funding originates from a $26 billion settlement with major pharmaceutical distributors and manufacturers like Johnson & Johnson.
According to a report released last week by the Chattooga County Sheriff’s office, two men, Darius RayQuan Anderson and Justin Noah Minnitee, were arrested earlier this month in Summerville after a drone crash on Highway 27 that led to the discovery of illegal substances. The incident began when a witness saw a red Nissan Versa pick up the crashed drone and a black bag before leaving the scene. The vehicle was traced to a nearby McDonald’s, and later a traffic stop was initiated on Rome Boulevard. Upon searching the vehicle, officers found a substantial amount of marijuana, along with cocaine, vacuum-sealed tobacco, and other drug-related items. Anderson’s driver’s license was suspended, and both men were charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, and driving with a suspended license. Additional items, including 15 Suboxone strips, were seized as well. The suspects were booked into the Chattooga County Jail. This incident has raised concerns about drug trafficking and the role of technology in illegal activities. The investigation is ongoing, with all seized items submitted as evidence for analysis.
The Trion Bulldogs went on the road Saturday night for the 1st round of the state playoffs and will return home with a 45-40 win over the Schley County Wildcats. With the win, the Bulldogs have now advanced to the second round of the playoffs for four straight years and won 9 games or more for four straight years. Trion went into time with a 31-21 lead and extended that lead to 45-27 with 11:20 left in the game. However Schley county would not go away and would get within five points of the Bulldogs but no closer.
Trion will make another four plus hour drive next Friday night to take on the region 4-A Champion Telfair County Trojans. Telfair County won a close game with Emmanual County Institute (ECI) last night 22-19. The Trojans are 9-2 on the year and have won nine games in a row after starting the season 0-2 with losses to Lamar County and Bacon County.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, November 16, 2024:
Just before 10:00 pm on Friday, emergency responders were called to the West Rome Walmart due to reports of a shooting incident.
According to the preliminary investigation, a domestic dispute was taking place outside of the Walmart store which led to one female being struck by a bullet. The alleged shooter attempted to flee from the scene, nearly striking a witness to the incident, but was quickly apprehended by officers. The victim has been transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
This incident is believed to isolated between familiar parties. Anyone with information that has not already been contacted by Rome Police Department investigators is encouraged to call 9-1-1.
UPDATE 7:15 AM – THE GEORGIA STATE PATROL SAYS HIGHWAY 48 HAS REOPENED
Highway 48 between Menlo and Cloudland is closed this morning due to an overturned tractor trailer. Law enforcement has the road closed until further notice. If you are going towards Cloudland or Mentone, you will want to find an alternate route. WZQZ will have more information as it becomes available.
