
A Summerville man who was acquitted of murder in the 2025 shooting death of Christopher “DJ” Chapman has now been sentenced on the two charges for which a Chattooga County jury found him guilty.

A Summerville man who was acquitted of murder in the 2025 shooting death of Christopher “DJ” Chapman has now been sentenced on the two charges for which a Chattooga County jury found him guilty.

Summerville Police are investigating a possible case of check fraud after a check originally written for just $65 was allegedly intercepted, altered and rewritten for $13,900.

A man was arrested for public intoxication after Summerville Police responded to a report of a man allegedly cursing at people while walking along a city street.
According to a Summerville Police Department incident report, Officer Ibzan Ramirez was dispatched to 215 State Street on September 9. When the officer arrived, he reported seeing a man walking on State Street toward Hawkins Drive.
Police identified the man as Fernando Powell. According to the report, Powell gave unclear answers when asked what was going on and said he was walking to his aunt’s residence.
The officer reported detecting an odor of alcohol coming from Powell’s breath and said Powell had bloodshot and watery eyes, a strong odor of alcohol and slurred speech. Police also reported that he was unsteady while standing and walking.
A consent search reportedly found only a black cell phone and green lighter.
The officer determined that Powell was allegedly under the influence of alcohol to the extent that he was unable to safely care for himself in a public place.
Powell was arrested for public intoxication and transported to the Chattooga County Jail without further incident.

An Armuchee woman was arrested over the weekend following an alleged incident involving a minor family member.
According to Floyd County Jail records, 52-year-old Patricia Katherine Gonzalez was arrested at her residence on Tency Lane and charged with first-degree cruelty to children and simple battery.
Authorities allege Gonzalez grabbed the minor by the hair and pulled her down by it.
Jail records also state that Gonzalez grabbed the victim by the arm, leaving a visible red mark.
Gonzalez was taken into custody on the two charges.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, September 15, 2026:

Two Menlo residents were arrested in Cherokee County, Alabama, late last month on methamphetamine trafficking charges.
According to Cherokee County arrest records, 30-year-old Tristan Bruno-Mendez of Menlo and 28-year-old Amber Schrader of Menlo were arrested by the Cedar Bluff Police Department.
Both were charged with trafficking methamphetamine and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
The available arrest information does not state where the arrests occurred, how much methamphetamine was allegedly involved, or provide additional details about the circumstances that led to the arrests.
Under Alabama law, methamphetamine trafficking begins at 28 grams or more, and the penalties increase substantially depending on the amount involved. For 28 grams to less than 500 grams, state law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in prison and a $50,000 fine. For 500 grams to less than one kilogram, the mandatory minimum increases to five years and a $100,000 fine. Larger quantities can bring still more severe mandatory sentences and fines.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, September 14, 2026:

A Lyerly man was arrested on a DUI charge following a traffic stop on Highway 27 early Monday morning, September 7.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Rome after a traffic stop Friday afternoon ended with gunfire.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, September 13, 2026: