From STAFF REPORTS



CORDELE —An employee of the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office jail staff has told Investigator Karlie Stowe she continues to be stalked by a subject already convicted and jailed for that offense.

The victim said that on Nov. 10 she was on duty when she received a telephone call from Adrian Deon Austin, who is currently housed at Hays State Prison in Trion.

“Don’t be mad,” he reportedly told her. “Don’t act like you won a million dollars when you find out who this is,” he added before revealing his identity to the jailer who immediately hung up the phone and called Stowe.

A check with officials at the prison in Trion led to a cell “shakedown” that resulted in the recovery of a contraband cellular phone that had been smuggled into the cell where Austin is being held.

The phone was “locked” to avoid detection of any numbers called but a week later Austin provided the un-lock code. A check of calls made showed the local jail telephone had been called on the date and time the complaint was made to Stowe.

Austin also reportedly admitted to prison officials he had made the call and as the result a warrant has been requested against him for the offense of stalking after prior conviction.

In other recent sheriff’s department activity, deputies:

— Investigated several theft complaints.

Fishing gear valued at almost $1,000 was reported stolen between Nov. 12-14 from a boat parked at the home of a South Joe Wright Drive resident. The victim told Deputy Willie Williams his losses included 11 fishing reels and rods, a depth finder and a tackle box.

A resident of 2200 block of Ga. Hwy. 257 N. told Deputy Randall Smith that hunting bows valued at $225 were removed from a barn on her property sometime between Oct. 31-Nov. 14.

A U.S. 280 West resident told Deputy Williams on Nov. 1 that a subject she named had confessed last Fall to stealing some of her personal checks. The complainant estimated that 20 checks were taken and possibly forged in an amount totaling $2,817.64. The suspect already is incarcerated here on other charges. Investigation into the forgery incident continues.

A Lakeshore Way resident reported to Deputy Scott Hawkins that an assortment of items valued at an estimated $500 was taken from his property on Nov. 17 without authorization. They were removed by a green Chevrolet pickup truck driver who reportedly sold at least some of the items. Further investigation by Deputy Avery Hillman led to the arrests of Matthew Beard, 18, and Christy M. Sills, 18, both of a 297 Ray Rd. address, on charges of theft by taking.

Deputy Tammera Sears said the manager of KOA Campground located on Rockhouse Rd. asked to meet with her in reference to the theft of money between Aug. 17-Nov. 19 by a former employee.

Employees of Stripling’s General Store near Warwick reported a Nov. 18 gas drive-off to Deputy Al Thompson.

The officer said he was told an older white male driving what was believed to be a white Chevrolet pickup pulling a horse trailer left the store without making payment for $36.04 worth of gas.

— Arrested a Louisville, Ky., woman on traffic charges and later found out she was wanted by authorities in Arkansas for a non-listed violation.

Deputy Kenny Purvis said Lakeda M. Cain, 28, is charged locally with driving on a suspended license and speeding 78 mph in a work zone.

— Charged a juvenile suspect with misdemeanor battery and disrupting a public school after Deputy Ronnie Youngblood said he saw the boy strike a girl in the face with his fist while the two were at a bus ramp last Thursday.

An apparent friend of the victim, who apparently was knocked unconscious and was taken to Crisp Regional Hospital for treatment, then attempted to strike the male offender and had to be physically restrained. The case was turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

— Cited another juvenile suspect on three counts of unlawful conduct during a 911 call after he repeatedly continued to file false crime reports and incidents.

— Received a vandalism complaint that resulted in a damage estimate of at least $500.

An Arabi resident told Deputy Chris Dickerson on Nov. 17 that the windows in a truck left on his lot to be repaired had been smashed and the mirrors on the vehicle had been removed.

When contacted, the actual truck owner said he had previously left the vehicle with another subject for repairs that were never performed. He also told the deputy that person had told him he would “mess you up” after he took the truck back and declined to make payment to him.