News

On November 7, 2025, a Carroll County jury found Deontrey Foster, of Bowdon, Georgia, guilty of Trafficking Methamphetamine, Trafficking Fentanyl, Possession of MDMA with Intent to Distribute, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. The Honorable Judge Dustin Hightower presided over the trial and sentenced Foster to 105 years, with the first 30 years to serve in the Georgia Department of Corrections. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Parrish, Assistant District Attorney Laura Almand, and Chief DA Investigator Becky Byrd. The investigation was led by Sgt. Kyle Jones with the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement (A.C.E.) Unit, a…

On September 26, 2025, a Carroll County jury found Brenton Dale Chase guilty of two counts of Criminal Attempt-Murder, Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Fleeing and Attempting to Elude, two counts of Interference with Government Property, Criminal Damage to Property in the Second Degree, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. The investigation was led by Sgt. Tyler North with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Zach Balty and Senior Assistant District Attorney Jared Parrish with assistance from Katelynn Culbreath, Co-Director of Victim Services. At…

On the 28th day of May 2024, law enforcement responded to Tanner Hospital in Villa Rica in reference to an overdose death. The deceased was identified as Shelby “Clint” Houpe and his cause of death included toxic effects of fentanyl. Mr. Houpe’s parents told law enforcement that Clint had been in and out of drug treatment and had recently tested negative for drugs before being discharged from a center. After his death, Clint’s parents went through Clint’s phone and found messages between Clint and Defendant Brittany Ridley where Clint told the Defendant Ridley, he “had $100 to spend” and phone…

On October 8, 2025, Billy Trey Bonner of Carrollton entered a guilty plea to charges of child molestation, criminal attempt to commit a felony, false imprisonment and enticing a child for indecent purposes. He was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Dennis Blackmon to 30 years with the first 13 years to be served in the state penal system. The investigation was led by Detective Brandon Wilson with the Carrollton Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Wade Mason and Senior Assistant District Attorney Jared Parrish with assistance from Victim Advocate Samantha Simmons. On June 10, 2024, officers…

On September 17, 2025, Brody Nichols of Cedartown, Georgia, was sentenced to 35 years to serve in the Department of Corrections for the offenses of Voluntary Manslaughter and Cruelty to Children in the First Degree following a trial by jury in Heard County. The Honorable Judge Erica Tisinger presided over the case and sentenced Nichols accordingly. Nichols was indicted and tried for Malice Murder, Felony Murder, and Cruelty to Children in the First Degree. A Heard County jury convicted Nichols of the lesser-included offense of Voluntary Manslaughter and Cruelty to Children in the First Degree. Chief Assistant District Attorney Wade Mason,…

On September 11, 2024, in the Superior Court of Troup County, Hunter Blake Harrington, now 24, pleaded guilty to six violations of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, one count of Possession of a Sawed-off Shotgun, one count of Possession of a Sawed-off Rifle, and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Silencer….