Newton County District Attorney's Office

05/22/2026

Former Deputy Sentenced to Prison for Violating His Oath of Office:

Yesterday, May 21, a Newton County jury found George Rahming guilty of three counts of Violation of Oath by Public Officer. The three separate counts of violating his oath of office were based on the following conduct by Rahming while on duty, and in uniform, in July of 2023:

• Committing the offense of Sexual Contact by an Employee in the First Degree;
• Committing the offense of Solicitation of So**my;
• While on duty, buying condoms, taking the victim to a secluded area, soliciting s*x acts, and having s*xual in*******se.

These offenses began when Rahming pulled his patrol car next to a woman who was walking on the side of the road in his attempt to pretend he was doing so just to help her. Each of these offenses carry a minimum sentence of 1 year and a maximum sentence of 5 years.

After the verdict, the Court held a sentencing hearing. The State and defense asked the Court for vastly different sentences. Ultimately, the Court sentenced the Defendant to 15 years with the first 7 years in prison along with numerous conditions.

The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Randy McGinley, Chief Assistant District Attorney Amber Dally, Chief Investigator Kelly Whire, Victim Services Director Leslie Smith, Victim Advocate Sophie Conner, Trial Assistant Danielle Miller, and Legal Assistant Desiree Kozikowski. The investigation was handled by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Law enforcement was first contacted by hospital staff when the victim disclosed what had occurred. The Newton County Sheriff's Office (NCSO) responded immediately to the hospital. Because the incident took place close to the county line, it was initially unclear what agency the perpetrator worked for. NCSO investigators interviewed the victim and then obtained surveillance footage from a gas station. It was then that they determined this involved the Defendant, who was employed as a deputy. Sheriff Ezell Brown immediately contacted the GBI to request them to take over the investigation.

I commend Sheriff Brown, his deputies and investigators that were involved in the initial investigation, and the GBI for their hard work and professionalism in this investigation. This conviction does not serve as a statement against law enforcement, but against one person, this Defendant, who used his authority and power for improper purposes.

Randy McGinley
District Attorney
Alcovy Judicial Circuit

Yesterday, May 21, a Newton County jury found George Rahming guilty of three counts of Violation of Oath by Public Officer. The three separate counts of violating his oath of office were based on the following conduct by Rahming while on duty, and in uniform, in July of 2023: • Committing the offe...

05/11/2026

Guilty plea in 2022 murder at General Mills:

This morning, just before jury selection began, Jalen Brown pleaded Guilty but mentally ill to Felony Murder, 3 counts of Aggravated Assault, 3 counts of Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony, and Possession of Ma*****na with Intent to Distribute. These offenses arose from the Defendant shooting and killing his coworker, Zachary Foster on May 29, 2022 at General Mills in Covington.

Brown was sentenced to Life in Prison plus 5 years. Georgia law provides that someone pleading guilty but mentally ill will receive the same sentence as someone that pleads guilty. However, for a defendant that pleads guilty but mentally ill, the law provides the Department of Corrections ability to refer a defendant for temporary hospitalization to a facility operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Such a facility will still be a secure facility. The defendant must also meet the legal definition of mentally ill.

Prior to the date of the crimes, the Defendant had been acting increasingly paranoid. This was due to mental health issues but aggravated by the Defendant's drug use. On May 29, 2022, the Defendant brought a handgun with him to work. Supervisors approached the Defendant to address his behavior, but the Defendant ran to a different area of the plant, obtained his firearm from a bag, and shot and killed Foster.

Brown then fled General Mills. A coworker pursued trying to keep sight of him. As Brown fled, another individual saw Brown running down the road with a firearm. That individual stopped his car and began to back up away from Brown. Brown then fired again at both the coworker and the person in the vehicle. Just after this shooting, Covington Police Officers quickly arrived and took Brown into custody.

Brown was interviewed and admitted to shooting Foster. During this interview, he also expressed hearing voices and paranoia (about things that had not actually happened). Two days later, a bag was found near General Mills. That bag contained several forms of identification belonging to the Defendant and more than 14 ounces of ma*****na.

The prosecution was led by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Jillian Hall as well as Assistant District Attorney Madison Caito, Investigator Colin Cunningham, Victim Advocates Madison Sanders and Sophie Conner, Trial Assistant Danielle Miller, and Legal Assistant Desiree Kozikowski. The arrest and investigation were handled by the Covington (Ga.) Police Department with assistance from the GBI Crime Lab.

This morning, just before jury selection began, Jalen Brown pleaded Guilty but mentally ill to Felony Murder, 3 counts of Aggravated Assault, 3 counts of Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony, and Possession of Ma*****na with Intent to Distribute. These offenses arose from the Defend...

05/08/2026

Sentencing update from recent trial:

On April 17, a Newton County jury found Jack Law, Jr. guilty of 2 counts of Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, Felony Obstruction of an Officer, and Hindering the Apprehension of a Criminal.

Yesterday, the Court held the sentencing hearing. After hearing argument from both the State and the defense, the Court sentenced Jack Law, Jr. to 20 years with the first 10 years in prison.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Brooks.

Law enforcement officers work tirelessly to keep our communities safe. This verdict and sentence shows that there are severe consequences for those that offer violence towards law enforcement.

05/01/2026

Guilty Verdict in May 2023 Murder of Jaquavious Lackey:

The trial of State v. Jacarie Anttwonn Justice (20 years old at the time) ended this morning with a verdict of guilty of all counts for the murder of Jacquavius Lackey (19 years old at the time) at a residence on Lawn Way in Newton County on May 29, 2023. Justice was found guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Felony, and Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree.

The trial began with jury selection on Monday April 27. Beginning on Tuesday, the State presented witnesses and evidence that showed the following: Lackey had a child with the Defendant's sister. Lackey came to their residence when an altercation began with Lackey's child's mother, the Defendant, and the Defendant's girlfriend trying to fight Lackey. After being attacked by multiple individuals, Lackey broke free and proceeded to grab a firearm from his vehicle. Lackey then fired the gun into the air.

The parties then separated. The Defendant and others saw Lackey then put his firearm into his car. Lackey then approached the Defendant wanting to fight and throwing a punch at the Defendant. The Defendant took out his own firearm, despite knowing that Lackey was no longer armed, and shot the victim. Lackey then ran away, but the Defendant shot him two more times in the back. Lackey fell to the ground. The Defendant then went to where Lackey had fallen and shot him one more time in the chest as Lackey lay defenseless on the ground.

A neighbor's home surveillance camera recorded the entire incident. This video was played for the jury multiple times. A juvenile neighbor saw the shooting through his window. He described seeing Lackey on the ground and in no way a threat to the Defendant when the Defendant stood over Lackey and shot him.

At trial, the defense argued that he acted in self-defense. The Court instructed the jury thoroughly on the law of self-defense and that there is no duty to retreat when acting in self-defense. During deliberations, the jury rewatched the Defendant's interview and the surveillance video of the incident. The jury's verdict shows that they unanimously rejected the Defendant's self-defense argument.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Bailey Wilkinson, Investigator Danny Peppers, Victim Services Director Leslie Smith, Victim Advocate Madison Sanders, Trial Assistant Danielle Miller, and Legal Assistant Sheila Cornelius. The investigator and arrest were handled by the Newton County, GA Sheriff's Office with assistance from the GBI Crime Lab. Juvenile witnesses received services from A Child's Voice Child Advocacy Center.

The Court ordered that a pre-sentence investigation be completed with sentencing hearing to be scheduled once that report is completed.

Sadly, young men involved with fi****ms continue to make decisions that have drastic and long-lasting consequences. I want to thank the prosecution team and the entire office for their hard work prosecuting this emotional case.

DA Randy McGinley

The trial of State v. Jacarie Anttwonn Justice (20 years old at the time) ended this morning with a verdict of guilty of all counts for the murder of Jaquavious Lackey (19 years old at the time) at a residence on Lawn Way in Newton County on May 29, 2023. Justice was found guilty of Malice Murder, F...

04/23/2026

Yesterday, April 22, a Newton County jury found Demitrius Laquinn Howard guilty of 3 counts of Aggravated Assault and 2 counts of Cruelty to Children in Third Degree. The charges stem from an incident involving a child custody exchange at a local church parking lot. Howard threw salt in the victim's eyes, pulled out a firearm, and shot in her direction.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Bailey Wilkinson, Deputy Chief Investigator Jill Lumpkin, Victim Advocate Mollie Powell, Trial Assistant Danielle Miller, and Legal Assistant Anna Sugg. The Covington (Ga.) Police Department handled the arrest and investigation.

Howard remains in custody awaiting a sentencing hearing at a later date.

04/20/2026

Results from multiple trials last week:

Last week, two different judges had criminal trial calendars. The District Attorney’s Office selected juries in four different cases.

On Tuesday, Anthony Rodriguez Foster was convicted of Family Violence Battery and Criminal Trespass. After the jury verdict, Foster was sentenced to 12 months in the county jail. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jake Beninato, Investigator Josh Shumate, Victim Advocate Sophie Conner, Trial Assistant Ellen Bales, and Legal Assistant Lila Geiger. The Newton County, GA Sheriff's Office handled the arrest.

Then, on Wednesday, a jury found Tyler Rochon Porter guilty of two counts of Aggravated Assault and two counts of Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jake Beninato, Investigator Tommy Green, Victim Advocate Sophie Conner, Trial Assistant Ellen Bales, and Senior Legal Assistant Cindi Hendrix. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office handled the arrest and investigation. Porter remains in custody for a sentencing hearing at a later date.

Wednesday afternoon, Ladrika Suntee Hughes was found guilty of False Report of a Crime. She was sentenced to 12 months probation with numerous special conditions. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney PJ Hemmann, Investigator Danny Peppers, Victim Advocate Madison Sanders, Trial Assistant Ellen Bales, and Senior Legal Assistant Cindi Hendrix. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office handled the arrest along with involvement by the Department of Family and Child Services.

Lastly, on Friday, Jack Eric Law, Jr. was found guilty of two counts of Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, Felony Obstruction of an Officer, and Hindering the Apprehension of a Criminal. The arrest was handled by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division. Law remains in custody with sentencing for early May. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Brooks, Deputy Chief Investigator Jill Lumpkin, Senior Victim Advocate Sophie Conner, Trial Assistant Danielle Miller, and Legal Assistant Lila Geiger.

04/10/2026

DA's Office remains busy even after guilty verdicts:

For a prosecutor's office, a jury verdict finding someone guilty is often not the end of the hard work. Any criminal defendant that is found guilty after a trial has multiple routes to challenge the conviction and/or sentence. This continued work includes combing through thousands of pages of transcripts and records and days worth of legal research and drafting of legal briefs.

Recently, multiple Orders or Opinions were issued upholding convictions and sentences. Click the links to read more about each case. The full Orders and Opinions are available after clicking the links.

Kinterie Durden: Double Murder - Motion for New Trial Denied:
https://www.alcovydaoffice.org/post/da-s-office-remains-busy-even-after-guilty-verdicts -ekdns10329

Michael Wallace: Aggravated Sexual Battery & Child Molestation - Motion for New Trial Denied:
https://www.alcovydaoffice.org/post/da-s-office-remains-busy-even-after-guilty-verdicts -go3ii21997

Jeffery Brown: R**e and numerous other offenses - Court of Appeals Affirms Conviction:
https://www.alcovydaoffice.org/post/da-s-office-remains-busy-even-after-guilty-verdicts -j5xps35482

Click here for more information about the post-conviction process including motions for new trials and appeals:
https://www.alcovydaoffice.org/post/da-s-office-remains-busy-even-after-guilty-verdicts -c2xp610053

04/09/2026

District Attorney's Office Joins Community Event Raising Awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month:

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and A Child's Voice Child Advocacy Center held four Pinwheel Garden events, one in each of Monroe, Loganville, Covington, and Social Circle. Pinwheels represent safe, healthy, and happy childhoods. The DA's Office in both Walton and Newton counties gladly joined staff from A Child's Voice, local law enforcement, and others are these events.

https://www.alcovydaoffice.org/post/district-attorney-s-office-joins-community-event-raising-awareness-for-child-abuse-prevention-month

02/05/2026

Today, February 5, is National Prosecutors Day. We celebrate our prosecutors and those across our country.

Over 90 years ago, US Supreme Court Justice George Sutherland wrote the following about prosecutors: A Prosecutor "is the representative not of an ordinary party to a controversy, but of a sovereignty whose obligation to govern impartially is as compelling as its obligation to govern at all; and whose interest, therefore, in a criminal prosecution is not that it shall win a case, but that justice shall be done. As such, he is in a peculiar and very definite sense the servant of the law, the twofold aim of which is that guilt shall not escape or innocence suffer. He may prosecute with earnestness and vigor -- indeed, he should do so. But, while he may strike hard blows, he is not at liberty to strike foul ones. It is as much his duty to refrain from improper methods calculated to produce a wrongful conviction as it is to use every legitimate means to bring about a just one."

The prosecutors in the Alcovy Judicial Circuit work long, hard hours seeking justice and making our communities a safer place. They carry heavy caseloads and have to make hard decisions every day. They meet with victims and witnesses to discuss what is often the worst thing that person has been through in their life.

In court, they are the ones arguing and fighting for those the most vulnerable in our community. They deal with the worst of the worst subject matter day in and day out. When a person's loved one is murdered or their child is abused, our prosecutors take on that enormous pressure and weight on their shoulders as the ones fighting in court for justice. While doing that, they also know when to show grace to someone who has made a mistake, often a very bad mistake. That balance is what makes our prosecutors great at what they do.

I want to thank all the prosecutors in both our Walton and Newton Offices for their work. They set the bar high for what a prosecutor should be!

Why we do what we do:
https://youtu.be/FTPN6pZ8IWY?si=dG8L38aKQc2-CQFD

In reality, we do get thanks from victims, witnesses, the community, and, at times, defendants. But this is still a good clip for why good prosecutors are so important in our society.

- DA Randy McGinley

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01/24/2026

Both the Newton and Walton County Courthouses are closed Monday. Newton residents: if you received a juror summons, you do NOT need to appear Monday or the rest of the week.

Alcovy Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Ken Wynne issued a declaration of Judicial Emergency that the Newton County Courthouse, the Horace J. Johnson Judicial Center, be closed Monday, Jan. 26.