GORDON COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT

From the Gordon County Superior Court

The Gordon County Superior Court convened on Monday, March 7, 2022 at 9 a.m. with the Honorable Jeffrey A. Watkins, Judge, Superior Courts, Cherokee Circuit presiding.

After Court was called to order, the following persons were selected as Grand Jurors for the March Term, 2022:

Vernon L. Caldwell (Foreperson), Martha S. Briggs, Makaela Ranels, Alan Burns, Hope Sampson, Stacy Kellum, Cynthia L. Bohannon, Michael King, Michael Paul Wilson, Maria Becerra, Eric Montez Carter, Alan Brindt Gallman, Eater Charles, John Elec Jones, Don Marlon Cornwell, Linda Gail Kreider, Shirley marie Casey, Andy Thomas, Daniel Canales, Jacqueline Goss, Bryan Bohannon, Bryant Wayne Mancil, Benja Curtis, April Scott (Alternate), Lisa Gray (Alternate), Scott Anthony Defoor (Alternate).

The following persons were elected as officers for this Grand Jury:

Vernon L. Caldwell (Foreperson), Martha S. Briggs (Vice Foreperson), Linda Gail Kreider (Clerk), Alan Burns (Doorperson), Dwight Gentry and William Tyner (Bailiffs).

Judge Watkins charged and instructed the Grand Jury after Sharon M. Fox, Senior Assistant District Attorney, administered the statutory oath to both the Foreperson and then all the other members of this Grand Jury, as well as the required oath to our bailiffs for this term of the Grand Jury.

We would like to thank District Attorney Samir Patel and his staff for their legal opinions and for the assistance in the proceedings as to criminal cases presented to this Grand Jury.

Also, we commend our law enforcement personnel for the excellent job they do and also commend the officers who appeared before this body from all the different local agencies for their efficiency, appearance and professionalism. finally, we thank our Bailiffs for their service and courtesy to this body. We recommend they each receive an additional day’s pay for their performance and all extra duties and services that they provided this body.

1. We have examined all criminal cases presented by the District Attorney’s Office and reported 24 True Bills and one No Bill.

2. In accordance with our statutory duties (O.C.G.A 36-17) this body received the written financial reporters of the following County Officers:

Hon. Mitch Ralston, Sheriff of Gordon County, along with Chief Deputy Robert L. Paris and Maj. Pat Bedford; Hon. Scott Clements, Tax Commissioner; Hon. John R. “Richie” Parker, Judge of Probate Court; Hon. Grant Walraven, Clerk of Court; and James Ledbetter, Administrator, Gordon County Government.

All Financial Reports have been examined and all are accepted as submitted.

3. As per O.C.G.A. 15-1271(b)(1), this Grand Jury has designated itself as the one to inspect and examine the offices and operations of the Clerk of

Superior Court, Judge of Probate Court, and the local division of this circuit’s District Attorney’s Office and the County Administrative and Financial Department.

The Committee reports are adopted by the Grand Jury and submitted as part of these presentments as follows:

County Administrative and Finance Department -- The Grand Jury Committee assigned to the County Administrative Office consisted of the following members: Benja Curtis, Brian Bohannon, Andy Thomas, and Brindt Gallman. The committee does not need to report for any improvements. The current necessary improvements are currently being made.

Judge of Probate — The committee assigned to the Probate Judge consisted of the following members: John Jones, Alan Burns and Lisa Gray. The committee reports that no fire suppressants in the hallway or offices. Only two fire extinguishers were visible in the probate area. There is a need for paint touch up in many areas along the wall. This is probably due to recent move. They need fire storage for vital records during the time they are working from the Plaza.

District Attorney — The Grand Jury Committee assigned to the District Attorney’s Office consisted of the following members: Martha Briggs, Michael Wilson and Stacy Kellum. The committee reports the District Attorney’s Office is doing a wonderful job. They really appreciate the work put into the courthouse. They believe the courthouse is laid out well and the offices are beautiful. Grand Jury Room — The committee reports they would like for the witness chair to have a microphone. The individuals int he back of the room cannot hear the witnesses. The committee does report that they believe the grand jury room should have better chairs. The chairs for the witness is awkward leading to the witnesses having difficulty sitting int he chair and making their presentation.

Clerk of Superior Court

— The Grand Jury Committee assigned to the Clerk of Superior Court consisted of the following members: Hope Sampson, Easter Charles and Jacqueline Goss. The committee observed that some old records have not yet been preserved and some records that are not digitized yet. Theses are maintained in the vault for preservation at this time.

4. We authorize our Fireperson to call this Grand Jury back into session any time during our appointed term, if he warrants it to be necessary.

5. We recommend these presentments be spread upon the minutes of the Court and be published in the legal organ of Gordon County.

This 18th day May, 2022. Signed, Vernon L. Caldwell, Foreperson; Linda Gail Kreider, Clerk; and Alan Burns, Doorperson.

Order of the Court: Presented in open court, let the same be filed and spread upon the minutes of the Court. Let these presentments be published int he legal organ of Gordon County,

This 18th day of May, 2022.

Signed, Hon. Suzanne H.

Smith, Judge, Superior Court, Cherokee Judicial Circuit.