VOLUME 23 NUMBER 9
FREE
MAY 27, 2017
Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews
Moving Up
DeKalb County to replace 102,000 aging water meters DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond continues to make good on his promise to address the county’s water crisis. Thurmond announced this week that he has developed a plan to replace more than 100,000 aging water meters starting the fourth quarter of this year. According to a task force led by Thurmond, 55 percent of the county’s 184,000 small meters, or 102,000, are at risk of failure and may contribute to inaccurate water bills. Thurmond’s plan includes replacing 62,000 small meters that are outside of their 15-year life cycle and 40,000 manufactured before 2014 that have potential factory defects. The majority of the small meters are residential customers, a county spokesman said. “Implementing a large-scale meter replacement program will take time, but is a substantial step to restore faith in the accuracy of meter readings and water bills,” Thurmond said. Thurmond’s task force, comprised of staff members in watershed, water billing, communications and the county’s Information technology department, has been meeting weekly to analyze every aspect of DeKalb’s water billing crisis, which resulted in excessive charges to customers. County officials say the new meters will be replaced through the county’s procurement process. Costs have not yet been determined or where the replacements will begin initially. County spokesman Andrew Cauthen said that information would be provided as officials move closer to implementing the work. After the older meters are replaced, defective meters will be replaced on an ongoing basis. The county will provide systematic maintenance of all meters at a rate of approximately 7 percent per year based on the age of the meter.
It’s graduation time and even the youngest graduates marched in celebration. At Voices of Faith Christian Daycare in Conyers, the pre-K program graduates stood proudly to accept their diplomas during a program held on March 24. Some giggled, some cried and some played during the program. For more photos and a salute to the high school valedictorians and salutatorians, visit www.ocgnews.com.
DeKalb Sheriff Jeffrey Mann suspends himself, cites “conduct unbecoming”
DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey Mann
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eKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey Mann, who is under investigation for exposing himself in an Atlanta public park and running from police, says he is disciplining himself for “conduct unbecoming.” Mann said in a statement that he is suspending himself May 27 through June 4 and donating one week’s pay to a charity to be determined. Mann’s announcement comes in advance of a the findings of an investigation expected to be reported in a few days to Gov. Nathan Deal. The governor ordered a special panel to broaden its scope of an investigation of Mann, who was arrested on May 6 for exposing himself in
an Atlanta park and running from police. The special panel was given 30 days from May 11 to report its findings to Deal. The governor updated his executive order on May 16, calling for the panel to not only look into criminal charges, but alleged misconduct in office and the alleged incapacity to perform the functions of office. Deal’s new executive order was issued after Mann’s attorney, Noah Pines, held a news conference and told reporter he had asked the governor to reconsider having Mann investigated because the charges against him amounted to violations of city ordinances—not criminal charges. Deal had cited criminal charges as the justification for appointing an investigative committee but asked for the panel to probe more deeply. Deal appointed Attorney General Chris Carr, Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown and Peach County Sheriff Terry Deese to conduct the investigation. Deese sent a letter to the governor on behalf of the Georgia Sheriff’s Association requesting that an investigation be conducted. Mann could be suspended for up to 90 days base on its findings.
Mann’s spokesperson, Cynthia Williams, said after news outlets obtained a copy of an internal memo Mann had provided to employees of the Sheriff’s Office on May 23, he released the memo to the public. Mann’s memo reads as followed: “Each day I ask the employees of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office to perform in public and in private at the highest professional standards. Being in law enforcement, I know we are called to be model citizens and to remain mindful of keeping the public trust. As such, I cannot ask my employees to abide by a code of conduct unless I am willing to subject myself to it as well. In fact, I must be held to an even higher standard than my employees as it relates to our Code of Conduct policy and schedule of penalties. As a dedicated public servant for nearly 25 years, I know the importance of serving with integrity. It is for this reason that I am imposing upon myself discipline under our Code. “I am disciplining myself for “conduct unbecoming,” specifically the provision defined as “engaging in conduct on or off duty which has a tendency to destroy public respect
for the employee and/or the DKSO and/or destroy confidence in the operations of the County service is conduct unbecoming and is prohibited.” This self-imposed discipline should not be construed to suggest or imply guilt of the Atlanta municipal ordinance charges alleged. I will continue to vigorously defend myself as it relates to the charges. However, the mere fact of placing myself in a position to be arrested is sufficient reason for this self-imposed discipline. I cannot, in good faith, fail to take responsibility for the negative and unwanted criticism brought to this great agency and the County, and I apologize to each of you. You deserve a leader who takes responsibility for his actions. “While the schedule of penalty for this infraction (first instance) is written counseling, in my case, I am imposing the maximum time of one week’s suspension. My suspension will be effective Saturday, May 27, 2017 through Sunday, June 4, 2017. “I will donate the equivalent of one week’s pay to a charity or charities to be determined in the very near future. “I am committed to remaining your Sheriff and restoring your trust in me.”
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Rent-to-Own Heating & Air Program Expands for Homeowners as Summer Months Approaches
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he National Sustainable Energy Group (NSEG) has expanded its Rent-ToOwn, Heating and Air Conditioning Program for homeowners that live in DeKalb, Rockdale, and Clayton County. This past week we have installed over 1500 new energy efficient Goodman HVAC units in the Metro Atlanta area. Over 850 homeowners have been assisted in DeKalb County this year. The program has 5000 slots available. We have recruited additional NATE/EPA Certified heating and air contractors to keep pace with the call volume said Percy Brooks, CEO of the NSEG. It’s truly amazing for $89.95 a month a homeowner will not have to suffer the hot and humid high 80’s and 90 degree temperatures this summer said Brooks. Qualification for approval: Homeowner property taxes must be current. Monthly payments range from $89.95 to $109.95 depending on the size of the heating & air conditioning unit and upgrades. All Goodman heating and air units come with a Warranty. Approval and installation can be completed within 5 business days. We are extremely honored to be able to assist so many homeowners that had given up on securing consumer financing to purchase a heating and air conditioning unit. We view this alternative option as one of the finest in the country said Brooks. I’m sure that we will exceed our goal of assisting 5000 homeowners across the Metro Atlanta area. We are expecting to see a record high of 50+ days of temperatures in the high 80’s and 90’s this summer season and through Fall. Our goal is to improve the quality of life for homeowners. Our customer testimonials have been heartfelt said Brooks. The program meets the EPA requirements for the new R-410A refrigerant upgrades. It also improves the quality of life and increases property value for homeowners. Our major objective is to share our program among the Faith-based community and Homeowners Associations (HOA’s) said Brooks. We needed an alternative option for homeowners with less than perfect credit, who paid their property taxes on time, but couldn’t obtain traditional consumer financing for heating & air service. We all hit speed bumps in life. Our typical Client has lived in their home for an average of 12+ years said Brooks. Energy home improvements are among the most expensive home improvement projects for homeowners said Brooks. There are over 120,000 homeowners without heating & air service and over 700,000 units working at less than 40% capacity or less. We see this as an excellent opportunity for homeowners to rent and relax. Home Number: 404-220-8719 Percybrooks.meb@live.com www.hvachomesystem.com Paid Advertisment
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On Common Ground News is published weekly by On Common Ground, Inc. The newspaper serves DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Rockdale and Henry counties. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher or the newspaper’s advertisers. No portion of this newspaper may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. We reserve the right to reject material and advertisements we deem inappropriate. On Common Ground News
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MAY 27,2017 • PAGE 3
Stonecrest City Council holds three-hour work session
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tonecrest City Councilwoman Diane Adoma, in her capacity as mayor pro tem, ran the May 24 work session in Mayor Jason Lary’s absence. Lary was attending the RECON conference in Las Vegas with developer Vaughn Irons and representatives from Discover DeKalb Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Mall at Stonecrest and other agencies to recruit vendors for the Atlanta Sports City at Stonecrest project. Emory Healthcare and Urban Retail, which owns the Mall at Stonecrest, announced their partnerships with the project on May 17. The Stonecrest City Council’s threehour work session covered several items including continued discussion on capitol equipment needed for the council and mayor as it sets up the new municipality.
The council discussed spending up to $50,000 to cover the cost of cell phones, cell phone contracts, laptops, a P.A. system, recording equipment, cameras, website development and other items. City Attorney Thompson Kurrie, Jr. recommended the council prioritize what is needed with the city manager. The council, he said, still must authorize the expenditures by an official vote. That vote
Stonecrest Town Hall Meetings set
Stonecrest City Council member Robert Turner, District 2, will host his first “Listen and Learn” town hall meeting on June 1, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia. Stonecrest City Council member Jazzmin Cobble, District 3, will host a town hall meeting for constituents on June 8, 7 p.m., Ousley United Methodist Church, 3261 Panola Road, Lithonia. Stonecrest City Council member Jimmy Clanton, Jr., District 1, has scheduled two town hall meetings to provide citizens updates and to hear from them. The first meeting will be held on June 12; the second meeting is set for July 10. Both meetings will be held 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest. Stonecrest City Councilwoman Diane Adoma, District 5, will host her second town hall meeting on June 12, 6 p.m., at the Stonecrest Library. The tax commissioner’s office and Congressman Hank Johnson’s office has confirmed their attendance, along with Alliance of DeKalb County, Inc., which received a $500,000 grant to renovate blighted properties and provide homeownership to low-income people. Adoma wrote letters on the Alliance’s behalf for the grant.
Stonecrest City Council, Work session meetings The Stonecrest City Council will hold a work session on May 31, 5 p.m., Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest. The Stonecrest City Council will meet on Monday, June 5, 10 a.m., at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest.
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could be made at the June 5 council meeting to expedite purchasing some of the equipment. The council announced it has invited three newspapers to make presentations at the May 31 work session to be considered for the city’s legal organ. The council also agreed to hold a special work session to discuss clarifications to the city charter, including responsibilities of
the council and mayor. A date was not set for that meeting. The council discussed modifications to the Governor’s Commission on Stonecrest’s report.Commission’s chair Joel Thibodeaux presented revisons concerning the mayor’s duties during the council’s May 8 work session Adoma said she published the report online after several residents requested it. Council-
man Jimmy Clanton asked that report be accepted by the council. However, Adoma only recognized receipt of the report. The council went into executive session to discuss negotiations for potential sites for City Hall. Three sites were recommended by the Governor’s Commission. T. Dallas Smith Corporation is handling negotiations for the City Hall space.
Rockdale hires code enforcement manager, sets cleanup day Rockdale County has hired a code enforcement manager, making good on Chairman Oz Nesbitt’s promise to put more resources into enforcing compliance of the county’s codes and cracking down on blight and nuisances in Rockdale. The county has hired Troy A. Smith, who has more than 20 years of experience in code enforcement. Smith, who earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Atlanta’s Morris Brown College, previously worked five years for the city of Atlanta, where he was responsible for ensuring compliance with the city’s codes. Smith also worked for the San Mateo County, California government, where he redesigned the code enforcement program. Smith also spent nine years as the chief code enforcement officer for Fulton County. Rockdale Chief of Staff Corey Hambrick said Smith supervised about 25 inspectors in enforcement, including environmental health, while at Fulton County. “He spent five years with the city of Atlanta code enforcement section as a supervisor,” Hambrick said. “There he was a supervisor and managing officer of the code enforcement division, overseeing the day-to-day operations that provide inspection of properties to ensure their compliance with the city’s codes. Hambrick said Smith’s first day on the job was May 24. Smith told the Board of Commissioners at its May 24 meeting that he is looking forward to his new role. “I’m excited about being here to see what I can do,” Smith said. Nesbitt said violators should take heed: If they don’t want to be cited for code violations, they need to clean up their properties. “Don’t call our office screaming and crying when you get a citation, because we’re telling you they’re coming. If you have junk vehicles in your yard and you’re violating an ordinance, you’re going to meet Mr. Smith and his team. If you have overgrown grass and blight and you’re in violation of code, you’re going to meet Mr. Smith. So I’m just letting you know.” Smith is spearheading a countywide cleanup day on June 10, 7 to 11 a.m. Free T-shirts and brunch will be provided to volunteers while available. Check-in and registration will be held at the Rockdale County Courthouse. For more information and advance registration, call 770-278-7052.
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Coming Up
Compiled by Mackenzie N. Morgan.
Stonecrest Library to present African-American Music Appreciation Month
Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, will kick off its celebration of black music on Saturday, June 3, 5:30 p.m. —7:30 p.m. at Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Lithonia. Enjoy live performances by local artists of various musical genres and styles throughout the month of June including jazz (June 3), classical (June 10), R&B and Hip-Hop (June 17) and gospel (June 24). Celebrate the rich and influential legacy of black music and its impact on the music industry. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 770-482-3828.
ATLANTA
Virginia-Highland summer festival brings art, food and fun Summerfest will be held on Saturday, June 2, through Sunday, June 3, in the historic Virginia-Highland community on Virginia Avenue between North Highland Avenue and Park Drive. The free festival includes an artist market, live music, food, a kidsfest, and a Saturday 5K and tot trot. Event organizers say the event is less crowded in the morning and encourage using public transportation or ridesharing. Bike valet will be available. Pets are not permitted. For more information, visit vahi.org.
Indie craft to showcase “vintage” wares, workshops The summer craft and vintage market will be held on June 3 - 4, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., at Colony Square, 1197 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta. The two-day market will feature more than 90 craft and vintage vendors, workshops, local food and music. The first 250 attendees will receive free swag bags both days. Admission is $5. Children ages 12 and under are free. For more information, visit www.ice-atlanta.com.
DEKALB
Senior story time set
ROCKDALE
Conyers Garden Club presents children’s gardening program The Conyers Garden Club along with Nancy Guinn Library will present a children’s gardening workshop on Tuesday, June 6, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m., at the Nancy Guinn Library, 864 Green Street, Conyers. Children will learn about the importance of gathering, planting and scattering heirloom seeds. Children ages 6 to 12 will get an opportunity to plant their own heirloom seeds. Jacob Wolfe, Agricultural and Natural Resource Agent for the Rockdale County Extension Service, will also speak at the presentation. The program is free and open to the public. For more information contact Gale Thomas at 404 790-7171 or thomas19546@ bellsouth.net or Carolyn Cathey at 770 388-5040 ext. 113 or ccathey@conyersrockdalelibrary.org.
Lupus awareness 5K set The Savage Run 5K for Lupus awareness will be held on Saturday, June 3, 8 a.m., at the Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Drive, Conyers. The 5K run/walk starts at 8 a.m. There will also be a 1 mile fun run starting at 8:15 a.m. Online and group registration is available at http:// runsignup.com/SavageRun5k. For more information, contact Claire Henry, 404-512-0090 or jdotsavage@gmail.com.
Local senior citizens will read their favorite childhood books to children on Tuesday, May 30, 10 a.m., at the Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur. The storytime is part of a special series held in honor of Older Americans Month. Enjoy fun-filled multi-generational morning as senior citizen storytellers and grandparents read their favorite children’s books to toddlers and preschoolers. For more information, call 404-286-6980.
GWINNETT
Kids’ summer kick-off party set Come to the Centerville Branch to kick off the summer on Thursday, June 1, 3 p.m., at the Centerville Library, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville. Families with kids will get to enjoy a variety of fun and engaging activities. Attendees will get a chance to build things using recyclables, make a craft and play games. Ages 3 and up are welcome. For more information, call 770-978-5154.
Please check with the event organizer before you go. To submit your event to Coming Up, email editor@ocgnews.com. We choose events that are free or a nominal cost to our readers.
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MAY 27, 2017 • PAGE 5
St. Paul AME to honor the retiring Rev. Cheviene Jones
he Rev. Cheviene Jones is retiring from Saint Paul AME Church, 1704 S. Stone Mountain-Lithonia Road, Lithonia. Jones, who has served 43 years in ministry, will be honored at a banquet celebration on Saturday, June 3, at 4 p.m., at Fairfield Baptist Church, 6133 Redan Road, Lithonia. Known for his holy ghost-filled preaching, his anointed teaching of the “Word of God and vocal musicianship, the Rev. Jones has pastored churches in Georgia, Missouri, California, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Alabama and Ohio. He was formerly a professional musician in New York City before
The Rev. Cheviene Jones and his wife, the Rev. Berta Jones
becoming a pastor. Born in Albany Georgia to the late Rev. L.J. and the late Mrs. Tammie L. Jones,
Rev. Jones graduated from Morris Brown College with a major in Mathematics and a Minor in Music. He earned
an MBA and PhD in educational psychology at Clark-Atlanta University. He obtained a Masters of Divinity degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta and a Doctorate of Ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. Rev. Jones has authored several manuscripts and books including “Uncovering the Ark of the Covenant,” 1994; “The Resurrection Revisited: 3 Nights and 3 Days in Hell/Sheol,”2004 and “A River from Eden that Became Four Heads of Rivers,” 2006. He has released two CDs entitled: “Sincerely Yours and “Fellowship in
Spirit. Rev. Jones is married to the Rev. Berta Lynn Rose Newsome-Jones. They have a blended family: Cherine Jones, Chequetta Jones, Cheviene David Jones and William Clinton Newsome; and grandchildren: Demarius Newsome, Kiashiah Newsome, Diandra Newsome, Niketsia Newsome, Dejia Newsome and Danielle Unger. To purchase tickets for the banquet honoring Rev. Jones, visit www.stpaul-ame. org or St. Paul AME Worship Center’s Facebook page. For more information, contact Jackie Nicks at 770-4824361 or drcjonesretirement@ gmail.com.
Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance hosts open house
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he Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance hosted an open house on May 23 to provide the community an opportunity to learn about the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area (AMNHA). The open house was held from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Alliance’s office, 3350 Klondike Road in the newly-formed city of Stonecrest. Throughout the day, visitors met with community leaders, attended a 15-minute presentation by Arabia Alliance Executive Director Mera
Cardenas and were given a brief overview of the National Heritage Area with topics covering recreation, preservation and information about the Junior Ranger program, the historic Lyon Farm rehabilitation,and the Monadnock Madness hiking event held every March. “We work closely with our community partners to bring awareness of the historic, cultural, and natural resources which are important to our national landscape,” said Cardenas. “Having an open house gives our community and visitors an
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opportunity to understand what we do and learn more about the National Heritage Area.” Just east of Atlanta, the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area is an open landscape of breathtaking beauty, peace and natural wonders that is dominated by two granite outcrops. AMNHA is one of only 49 National Heritage Areas recognized by Congress for its unique contribution to the nation’s development. Located in portions of DeKalb, Rockdale and Henry counties,
AMNHA includes more than 30 miles of paved hike/bike trails; the historic district of Lithonia; natural sites such as the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, Panola Mountain State Park and Flat Rock Archives; and is home to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit. For more information about Arabia Alliance and the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, visit www.arabiaalliance.org.
PAGE 6 •MAY 27, 2017 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
Saluting Rockdale County’s Top Graduates 2017
Rockdale County High’s Valedictorian:
RMSST’s Valedictorian:
Myra Larkin, 18
Larkin will be attending Valdosta State University. Best advice received on succeeding: Always have a goal set for yourself.
Rockdale County High’s Salutatorian: Johanna Stokes, 17
Stokes will be attending University of North Georgia Best advice received on succeeding: It’s not about what you know, it’s about what you do with what you know.
Heritage High School’s Valedictorian Tony Lee Wilson, Jr., 18
Wilson plans to attend University of Georgia. Advice to Freshmen: Always be comfortable with who you are. High school offers so many opportunities for all kinds of people. Find out what suits you best and enjoy it.
Chyna Mays, 18
Mays will be attending Stanford University. Best advice received on succeeding:Take it one day at a time. When you fail, find your faults and build on them. When you fall, wipe your tears, get up, and try again. When you succeed, determine how you can do better. You are in competition with yourself – so be your best self today and be better than your best self tomorrow. What God has for you, no one can take from you.
RMSST’s Salutatorian: Sydney Driver, 18
Driver will be attending Emmanuel College. Best advice received on succeeding: Never give up.
Heritage High’s Salutatorian Emily Grace Howe, 18
Howe plans to attend Georgia College and state University. Best advice received on succeeding: Mr. Ryan told me “Do your best, pray that it’s blessed and let God take care of the rest. This changed my whole attitude about life and learning.
Rockdale government, E-Station to host business networking event Rockdale County and E-Station, a co-working space for businesses in downtown Conyers, are hosting the Business and Community Networking 101 event on Saturday, June 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event will take place at E-station, 909 Commercial St NE, Conyers. Board of Commissioners Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. and E-station Director Scott Hartsell will lead the Business and Community Networking 101. The event will focus on public speaking and personal networking. It will also give participants a chance to network with fellow members of the business community. Doors open at 9:50 a.m. Participants can register onsite or online at this link: https://estationconyers.com/events/#!event/2017/6/3/business-community-networking-101 For more information, contact Jorge Lopez at 770-278-7056 or jorge. lopez@rockdalecountyga.gov.
DeKalb launches recycling program for seniors The DeKalb County Sanitation Division recently launched its Senior Center Recycling Program in partnership with the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia. The partnership is part of a targeted recycling program that offers recycling at the county’s six senior centers. The program allows seniors to sign up for recycling services at any affiliated senior center. DeKalb County is working to increase recycling in the county to 60 percent—or 105,000 households by 2020. The May 19 launch at the Lou Walker Senior Center is designed to encourage members of DeKalb’s senior centers to make recycling part of their everyday routines. In March, the Sanitation Division also implemented a customized school recycling program in partnership with the DeKalb County School District and plans to expand the program to higher education institutions by the end of the year. For more information on the single-stream recycling program, contact Anastasia Martin, communications and recycling outreach coordinator, at 404-294-2281 or amartin@dekalbcountyga.gov.
Salem High’s Valedictorian Omar Tapia, 18
Tapia plans to attend Georgia Tech University. Best advice received on succeeding: It actually came from a YouTube video that we watched in my SAT Prep class in 11th grade, the quote that stuck in my head was, “When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe then you’ll be successful.” I will never forget that.
Salem High’s Salutatorian
Vladislav Alex Mandzyuk, 18
Mandzyuk plans to attend Middle Georgia State University for two years (Regents’ of Engineering Transfer Program), then Georgia Tech. Best advice received on succeeding: Not to stress about the future because God is already there.
DeKalb jail services worker arrested for bringing drugs to inmates
DeKalb County Jail officials have arrested a jail services worker accused of collaborating with an inmate to get contraband inside the facility on Memorial Drive in Decatur, Georgia. In a confrontation inside the jail on May 19, the Sheriff’s Office arrested 19 year-old Corderius Farley of Decatur without incident on a warrant for Criminal Attempt to Cross a Guard Line with Intent to Deliver Contraband. Farley worked for the agency’s food services vendor, and had access to inmate workers who prepare meals in the jail’s well-known kitchen—the largest in the metro area. He is accused of working in conjunction with an inmate who is awaiting trial on charges of Probation Violation. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office had been conducting an internal investigation recently to verify information they obtained that Mr. Farley was bringing drugs into the jail and delivering them to the inmate for possible further distribution. Just as deputies made the arrest, they also conducted a sweep of the jail’s intake area, kitchen and housing units using K9 deputies and the Jail Emergency Services Team. “We needed to make inmates aware that this type of behavior will not be tolerated,” says Sheriff Jeffrey Mann. Farley is being interviewed by the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office of Professional Standards after being terminated as a vendor services employee. The inmate involved will lose certain privileges and may face additional charges, pending further investigation.
Lithonia murder suspect arrested in Atlanta The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in the murder of Tyler Bingham in Lithonia. Investigators for the DeKalb Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit arrested 21-year-old Adaren Kemond Carter of Decatur on May 24 at a gas station near Cluster Avenue SE and Eastland Road SE in Atlanta without incident. Warrants had been issued on May 17 for Carter’s arrest on charges of felony murder and armed Adaren Kemond Carter robbery alleging that Bingham was shot during the commission of the robbery on May 7. Carter was transported to DeKalb County Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division before being booked into the DeKalb County Jail.
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MAY 27, 2017 • PAGE 7
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