District Attorney's Office for Polk and Haralson Counties

06/22/2026

The Office of the District Attorney maintains an exceptionally strong working relationship with the United States Attorney’s Office. United States Attorney Teddy Hertzberg has been a valued partner and a great friend to the Tallapoosa Circuit. We are grateful for his office in ensuring that this hardened Polk County criminal is held accountable and will serve this sentence in federal prison.

06/20/2026

Earlier this summer, DA Jaeson Smith had the opportunity to teach multiple classes of the Law Merit Badge to scouts at Camp Daniel Boone in the mountains of North Carolina.

06/19/2026

DA SMITH ANNOUNCES UPHOLDING OF ARMED ROBBERY CONVICTION

The Georgia Court of Appeals this week affirmed the conviction of Lacorrin Middlebrooks, finding that the evidence presented at trial was sufficient to support the jury’s guilty verdicts. Middlebrooks was previously sentenced to 35 years, with the first 20 years to be served in prison.

On April 19, 2022, a Polk County jury found Middlebrooks guilty of Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.

The convictions stemmed from an October 12, 2019, armed robbery at the J&B Food Mart on Cedartown Highway. During the incident, Middlebrooks entered the store with a bandana covering his face, pointed a handgun at the owner, and demanded money. The robbery was captured on the store’s security cameras. Following an anonymous tip, investigators with the Polk County Police Department identified Middlebrooks as the suspect. Although the firearm used in the crime was never recovered, Middlebrooks later confessed during a law enforcement interview.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Lisa Mason prosecuted the case at trial and represented the State throughout the appellate process.

“Ms. Mason did an excellent job both during the trial and in defending the conviction on appeal,” said District Attorney Jaeson Smith. “This decision by the Court of Appeals ensures that a dangerous offender remains accountable for his actions and reflects the hard work of the Polk County Police Department and our prosecution team.”

06/18/2026

DA SMITH ANNOUNCES SENTENCE

On March 23, 2026, Jason Ingram pleaded guilty in Polk County Superior Court to two counts of Homicide by Vehicle in the First Degree, Driving Under the Influence, and Hit and Run.

On June 16, 2026, Chief Superior Court Judge Mark Murphy sentenced Ingram to fifteen years, with the first eight years to be served in the Georgia Department of Corrections.

The charges stemmed from the early morning hours of December 21, 2021, when the body of Barry Jerome Ford was discovered along South Main Street in Cedartown after he had been struck by a vehicle. Mr. Ford later succumbed to his injuries.

Shortly after the incident, law enforcement officers located Ingram in his truck on Highway 27 South, where the vehicle had been pulled onto a side road against the curb. Investigators observed damage to the truck consistent with evidence recovered from the scene on South Main Street. Subsequent blood testing confirmed that Ingram was under the influence of both methadone and co***ne at the time of the collision.

Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Alison Karch led the prosecution on behalf of the State.

District Attorney Jaeson Smith offered condolences to the victim's loved ones while emphasizing the importance of accountability. "Our thoughts remain with Mr. Ford's family," said District Attorney Jaeson Smith. "While no sentence can undo the tremendous loss they have suffered, we hope this outcome provides some measure of closure for Mr. Ford's friends and family. I want to thank the Cedartown Police Department, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the Georgia State Patrol Special Collision Reconstruction Team for their dedicated efforts in investigating this case. Let this serve as a reminder: if you injure someone with a vehicle while under the influence, you will go to prison in Polk County."

The Tallapoosa Circuit District Attorney's Office remains committed to seeking justice for victims and holding impaired drivers accountable for the devastating consequences of their actions.

06/14/2026

Not only does DA Jaeson Smith take out the trash of society, sometimes he literally takes out the trash.🗑️
📸: Stephanie Sanders

06/13/2026

DA SMITH ANNOUNCES LIFE SENTENCE IN CHILD S*X CRIMES CASE.

On May 15, 2026, following a four-day trial, a Polk County jury found Rene Cornejo-Reyes guilty of three counts of r**e, two counts of in**st, three counts of child molestation, and one count of sexual battery.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Alison Karch, who presented the evidence leading to the defendant's conviction on all counts.

On June 10, 2026, Superior Court Judge Andrew Roper sentenced Cornejo-Reyes to life imprisonment plus 29 years.

District Attorney Jaeson Smith praised the victims and those involved in bringing the case to justice. "I want to first thank the brave victims who had the courage to take a stand against this true predator," said District Attorney Smith. "Deputy Chief Karch and Investigator Josh Jackson, of the Cedartown Police Department, were masterful in presenting this case and securing the verdict. The Office of the District Attorney will continue to root out the evils of child harm."

The Tallapoosa Circuit District Attorney's Office remains committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community and aggressively prosecuting those who commit crimes against children.

06/06/2026

06/04/2026

DA SMITH ANNOUNCES SENTENCE

On Monday, June 1, 2026, Derek Vincent entered a guilty plea to charges of Aggravated Sexual Battery and Child Molestation. He was sentenced to a life sentence with 23 years to serve in confinement without the possibility of parole. Senior Assistant District Attorney Jason Jones prosecuted the case.

The investigation, led by Sgt. Brent Duggins of the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office, began after the victim disclosed to family members that Vincent had sexually abused her from age 10 to 12. Further details were uncovered during an interview at the West Georgia Child Advocacy Center, leading the Haralson County Grand Jury to indict Vincent. While preparing for trial, District Attorney Investigator Blake Terry located and interviewed two additional victims who stated Vincent had similarly abused them in Alabama. The State’s evidence of the crimes perpetrated on the child victim and the State’s intent to call these witnesses to testify at trial ultimately led to Vincent entering his guilty plea.

“We are extremely proud of the bravery the victim showed in this case. I want to thank Sgt. Brent Duggins, Investigator Blake Terry, Senior ADA Jason Jones, and CAC forensic interviewer Amanda Carden for their relentless hard work on this case,” said Haralson County District Attorney Jaeson Smith. “Our office takes these cases seriously, and we will aggressively prosecute offenders to protect our children and our community from child predators. ”