Vidalia Police Chief Brian Scott along with Glynn County Police Chief John Powell and three other former county police officers have been indicted by a Glynn County Grand Jury. According to a press release from the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s office, the indictments were unsealed Thursday night sometime around 9:00 in the courtroom of a Glynn County Superior Court Judge.
The charges arose from a scandal in 2019 that involved a former Glynn County narcotics officer, who had inappropriate relations with a confidential informant. It is also alleged that information about a police chase involving the Glynn-Brunswick Narcotics Enforcement Team, which resulted in a death was suppressed by those indicted.
Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney, Jackie L. Johnson appointed former Clayton County D.A. Tracy Lawson to serve as a Special Prosecutor in November of last year to determine if further charges were appropriate.
James Cassada, a former member of the Drug Enforcement team pled guilty to two counts of violation of Oath of Office and as a condition of his sentence, Cassada “agreed to cooperate with further investigations and potential prosecution.”
As a result of her investigation and review a Grand Jury was convened on Wednesday and Thursday and the Indictments were handed down.
Scott was indicted on the two counts of Violation of Oath by a Public Officer, along with one count each of Subordination of Perjury and Influencing a Witness.
Scott along with the others indicted are expected to be processed and released on Bond sometime Friday afternoon, according to Mitch Shook who is currently representing Scott in the charges.
Vidalia City Manager Nick Overstreet issued the following statement:
“A grand jury in Glynn County returned four true bills on an indictment that was presented this morning in Glynn County Superior Court against the City of Vidalia Police Chief, Brian Scott, and others named in the indictment. The four counts against Chief Scott include two counts of Violation of Oath by Public Officer, one count of Influencing a Witness, and one count of Criminal Attempt to Commit a Felony. Chief Scott was placed on administrative leave with pay immediately pending investigation of the indictment and surrounding facts.”
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February 28-- J. D. Dickerson Primary School would like to announce our Students of the Month for February!
Left to right: (Top row) William McCall, Kevin Head, Jae-Lynn Brewton, Hayes Dixon, and Dennis Adams; (Third row ) Keeyi Brown, Zylen Lee, Hannah Murray, Benton Ramsey, and Peyton Coursey; (Second row) Nolan Blount, Allison Aquino, Skylar Willingham, and Kellan Lawson; (Front row) Journee Harris, Gabriel Renteria, and Kinsley Kidd (Not Pictured) Parker Toler
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SECCA Board Member Don Betts and SECCA CEO Shelly SmithFebruary 26-- Twenty representatives of local manufacturing and logistics companies along with Toombs-Montgomery Chamber executives met recently at Southeastern Early College and Career Academy (SECCA) to launch a new program, Make It - Move It, a high school pathway on designing and shipping goods. By partnering with local businesses, SECCA can provide work-ready graduates who will be motivated team members in local industries. SECCA Board of Directors initiated the program and is working with Shelly Smith, SECCA CEO, and SECCA staff to make it happen.
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Here's the latest advisory from Toombs County Emergency Management Agency Director Lynn Moore: "Altamaha is at 82.7 as of 8:45 this morning. It is predicted to rise to 83.3 by Saturday morning."
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Waters along long rivers are still wreaking havoc of on residents, and in some cases, causing them to evacuate in leave their homes.
In Montgomery County Wednesday afternoon, Emergency Management Agency Director Donnie Daniels said while no one is sure exactly, it’s believed that the Altamaha River at the 221 bridge should crest today.
Daniels said that Three Rivers Lane, Dead River Road and towns Bluff Lane that were placed under a mandatory evacuation nearly two weeks ago are significantly affected by the high water.
Daniels said that at least one flood gate at Lake Sinclair had been opened Tuesday night and that has an impact on the steadily rising water. Numerous Road Closed signs have been posted along flooding roads, and unless you are a resident or have other business in the area, you are asked not to attempt to access the roads.
As a precaution, a EMA personnel and Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies were stationed in the Three Rivers building near the county line Wednesday night and prepared for immediate action if needed.
The EMA Director said the Flood of 2020 is basically right on schedule, noting that residents along the river tell him flooding of this proportion occurs about every 4 years with the last flood in 2016.
Toombs County EMA Director Lynn Moore said Wednesday afternoon that McNatt Falls and Gray’s Landing also continues to rise, noting that the Altamaha at 81.7 and expected to crest Friday afternoon at 82.8 inches. Water at Gray’s Landing was about a foot high according to Moore, however, no residents have been evacuated due to the flooding.
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