East Cobb Crime & Fire

Cobb Police officer fired amid ‘extremely disturbing’ probe

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The Cobb Police Department said Thursday it has arrested one of its own officers and terminated him following an investigation into what the interim chief is saying are “extremely disturbing” allegations.Northeast Cobb car crash, Cops on Donut Shops

Officer Aaron Wilson said in a release that Matthew Abbott has been “relieved of duty” after being taken into custody Thursday morning on charges of violating his oath of office, distribution of obscene material and public indecency.

Wilson did not provide specifics about the case, but said Cobb Police were notified by the Utah Attorney General’s Office about an investigation identifying Abbott, and that Cobb authorities then contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is conducting its own probe.

A GBI release issued late Thursday afternoon said that the charges involve child exploitation. The GBI said its probe was conducted in connection with Cobb Police and the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children’s Task Force “and led to a search warrant for Abbott’s home and his arrest.”

The GBI didn’t offer further details except to say that its investigation “is part of the ongoing effort by the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, housed within the GBI’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit, to identify those involved in the trade of child sexual abuse material.”

Abbott, 36, was arrested at his home in southwest Marietta, according to his booking report.

According to Cobb Sheriff’s Office records, Abbott was taken into custody late Thursday morning and is still being booked at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.

Interim Cobb Police Chief Dan Ferrell said that “the allegations in this case are extremely disturbing and do not reflect the values of our department. While the legal process moves forward, the officer has been relieved of duty, and we have initiated our own internal investigation. We will follow the facts, uphold due process, and take the actions necessary to maintain the trust of our community.”

Abbott could be facing further charges, according to Wilson, who said Cobb Police have turned over all investigative duties to the GBI “to ensure a fair and impartial process.”

Wilson said that the Cobb Police Department “is cooperating fully with investigators to ensure accountability. We are committed to full transparency and will continue to provide updates as this investigation moves forward.”

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77-year-old man attacked at NE Cobb home; suspect arrested

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UPDATED, 10:40 A.M. THURSDAY:Northeast Cobb car crash, Cops on Donut Shops

Cobb Police said this morning that they have taken a 29-year-old man into custody for attacking an elderly man at a home on Sandy Plains Road.

Officer Aaron Wilson said that Onur Yenihayat, of a Northeast Cobb address, was pulled over on Shallowford Road shortly after 2 a.m. Thursday after his vehicle was identified from license-plate recognition cameras, after having left the incident scene.

Wilson said that Precinct 4 officers were called to a home Wednesday afternoon in the 3000 block of Sandy Plains Road, near Bryant Lane, after receiving 911 reports that someone had been hit with a vehicle.

But when police arrived, they saw a 77-year-old man on the sidewalk, bleeding from the head, after initial incorrect reports on social media that there had been a shooting, police said.

Wilson said a preliminary investigation determined that the victim, who was not named, had returned to the home Wednesday afternoon to find the suspect in his bedroom without permission.

The victim fled outside, to the sidewalk, where he was found by police, who said they saw the suspect go back inside the home, Wilson said.

An arrest warrant for Yenihayat said the victim had been hit in the head multiple times with a piece of wood, and was bleeding from his nose.

Wilson said that police then set up a parameter around the home and tried to establish contact with the suspect, but got no response. Cobb Police called in K9 and VIPER  (Violent Incident Prevention and Early Response) units and executed a search warrant to discover that the suspect was no longer in the home, according to police.

Wilson said police obtained an arrest warrant for aggravated assault and other charges.

According to Yenihayat’s booking report at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center, he is being without bond on that single count.

Wilson said an investigation is continuing and that anyone with information is asked to contact the Cobb PoliceMajor Crimes Unit at 770-499-3945.

ORIGINAL REPORT:

Cobb Police said Wednesday afternoon that a person has been injured at a home in Northeast Cobb, but said social media postings indicating that the incident involved a shooting are incorrect.

On the department’s Facebook page, Cobb Police said around 5 p.m. Wednesday the person’s injuries “are not from gunfire,” but provided no further details.

The individual was not identified, and police said that the residence was in the area of Sandy Plains Road and Ebenezer Road.

WSB-TV reported that one of its helicopters few over the scene and reported seeing nine police vehicles, and that the person injured is being treated.

The scene is near Addison Elementary School, and the television station said that it was told bu the Cobb County School District said that “the police activity was not related to the school” and “that there is no threat to any school campuses.”

Earlier Wednesday afternoon, some local social media postings urged motorists to avoid the area along Sandy Plains Road between Karen Lane and Bryant Lane, which is in the same area.

Cobb Police said in the Facebook posting that “officers are still on scene and we will provide updates once the incident concludes and the preliminary investigation is complete.”

East Cobb News has left a message with Cobb Police seeking more information.

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Suspects arrested in 2024 murder on Powers Ferry Road

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Cobb Police said Monday that two men have been arrested in Pennsylvania as suspects in the shooting death of another man who was found in a car on Powers Ferry Road last year.Northeast Cobb car crash, Cops on Donut Shops

Cobb Police Sgt. Eric Smith said that Jayden Hooks, 21, and Malik Drake, 23, are awaiting extradition to Cobb County to face felony murder and aggravated assault charges in the killing of Curtis Coleman, 43, of Powder Springs.

Police said that Coleman was found shot to death on March 21, 2024, in a vehicle parked in the 2200 block of Powers Ferry Road. That’s near the intersection of Akers Mill Road, and police were called there in response to reports of an injured person.

In a release issued late Monday afternoon, Cobb Police didn’t offer any more details of what may have led to the shooting, which was investigated by its Major Crimes Unit.

Nor did Smith, in the release, indicate how the suspects were identified or captured, except to say that Hooks and Drake were taken into custody without “significant incident in Pennsylvania by U. S. Marshals.”

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East Cobb resident promoted to GBI chemistry section manager

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East Cobb resident promoted to GBI chemistry section manager

Submitted information and photo about an East Cobb resident:

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announces the promotion of Nicole Astor to Manager of the Chemistry Section of the GBI Crime Lab. Astor will be responsible for the supervision of staff in the Chemistry Section at the GBI Headquarters Laboratory, as well as operations within the statewide Chemistry discipline.

“I am proud to announce the promotion of Nicole Astor to Manager of the GBI Chemistry Section,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “Since joining the GBI in 1998, Nicole has served in multiple roles with dedication, professionalism, and a passion for forensic science and public service. Her wealth of experience and proven leadership make her exceptionally well-suited to lead the Chemistry Section.” 

“Nicole’s promotion is a reflection of her years of commitment to the mission of the GBI and her outstanding contributions to the field of forensic chemistry,” said GBI Crime Lab Division Director Cleveland Miles. “Her leadership, integrity, and deep institutional knowledge will be tremendous assets in her new role.” 

Astor began her career at the GBI in May 1998 as a crime lab scientist in the Chemistry Section of the Headquarters Lab. She was promoted to statewide Chemistry Technical Leader in 2010 and Assistant Chemistry Section Manager in 2016.

Astor graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1997. She obtained her professional certification as a Technical Specialist in Drug Analysis with the American Board of Criminalistics in 2010.

Astor has been a member of the Southern Association of Forensic Scientists since 2000 and served as a Member-At-Large on their Board of Directors for approximately five years. She has been a member of the Clandestine Laboratory Investigating Chemists since 2009.

Astor also served as a Member-At-Large on the Board of Directors for the American Board of Criminalistics from 2016 to 2019, and she has been the GBI representative on the National Institute of Justice Forensic Science Research and Development Technology Working Group (TWG) – Controlled Substances/Toxicology since 2014.

Astor is originally from Petoskey, Michigan, and currently lives in Marietta, GA. 

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is comprised of three primary divisions: the GBI Crime Laboratory, the Investigative Division, and the Georgia Crime Information Center. The GBI has over 900 employees and a current budget of $162.6 million.

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KSU art professor charged with aggravated assault in NE Cobb

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Cobb Police have charged a woman with aggravated assault after being accused of dragging another woman and a juvenile with her vehicle during an incident at a Northeast Cobb home last week.Northeast Cobb car crash, Cops on Donut Shops

According to an arrest warrant, Christen Ericsson-Penfold is facing one felony count of aggravated assault in the incident, which took place last Friday.

A Cobb Sheriff’s Office booking report said Ericsson-Penfold, 43, has a home address in Woodstock, and Kennesaw State University lists her as a part-time art instructor.

The warrant said that around 4:45 p.m. last Friday, Ericsson-Penfold was behind the wheel of a black Chrysler minivan parked near a home on Candlewood Way, with a woman and a juvenile girl standing at the driver’s side rear door, and that the sliding door was open.

The residence is located in a neighborhood off Blackwell Road near Shallowford Road.

Ericsson-Penfold attempted to close the sliding door and then hit the gas pedal, pulling the van forward and dragging the woman and the juvenile, causing them to fall on the ground, according to the warrant.

The warrant said that the woman was holding the juvenile on her hip, and that she suffered abrasions to both knees, her right toe and left elbow, and that the girl also had abrasions her left foot, left ankle, and right elbow.

Police said in the warrant both victims were bleeding, but didn’t indicate if any medical treatment was rendered.

The warrant also didn’t say what might have prompted the incident. The booking report said that Ericsson-Penfold was taken into custody at Cobb Police Precinct 6 off Sandy Plains Road later Friday and she was released on a $11,220 bond two days later.

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Teen charged with arson at Johnson Ferry Road gas station

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Teen charged with arson at Johnson Ferry Road gas station

An East Cobb teenager was arrested last week after Cobb Police said he tried to set fire to a gas station on Johnson Ferry Road.

According to an arrest warrant, Ian Robert Simmons, 18, threw a Molotov cocktail at the Shell station at 2898 Johnson Ferry Road on July 9.

The warrant said that the device melted a trash can and chair next to the station’s convenience store around 12:45 p.m. on July 9, and which also melted a curb on a sidewalk and caused black residue on the side of the building.

The warrant also said Simmons used a hammer to shatter the glass door of the building but did not indicate a motive for the attack.

According to the Cobb Sheriff’s Office, Simmons, of a Lassiter Road address, was arrested at his residence several hours later and taken into custody.

He was charged with a felony count of arson and a felony count of second-degree criminal property damage. Booking reports show that Simmons was released from the Cobb Adult Detention Centeron July 11 on a $5,720 bond.

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Father, 72, arrested after shooting son at East Cobb home

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An elderly East Cobb man has been charged with shooting his son in a domestic dispute last weekend, Cobb Police said.Northeast Cobb car crash, Cops on Donut Shops

Cobb Police public information officer Sgt. Eric Smith told East Cobb News that Bernard Virgilio, 72, was arrested on four counts of felony aggravated assault on Sunday night during an argument with his son, Wesley Virgilio, 43, at the family home on Pauls Way.

That’s in the Barbara Estates neighborhood off Holly Springs Road near Davis Road.

Cobb Sheriff’s Office records show that Bernard Virgilio was booked into the Cobb Adult Detention Center late Sunday and he remains there without bond.

Smith said that Cobb Police were called to the Pauls Way home around 7:20 p.m. Sunday on a report that someone had been shot. Smith said that when officers arrived at the scene, they discovered Wesley Virgilio with gunshot wounds but that he declined medical attention.

According to Bernard Virgilio’s arrest warrant, he fired at his son four times with a .38-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver, striking the younger man in the right forearm and the back of the head.

Neither Smith nor the arrest warrant explained what the dispute was about, but Smith said the Cobb Police Special Victims Unit was called in because of the family relationship.

Smith said that the incident continues to be investigated and that anyone with information is asked to contact the Cobb County Police Department Special Victims Unit at 770-801-3470.

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Memorial service for NE Cobb woman killed in murder-suicide

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A celebration of life service has been scheduled for a Northeast Cobb woman police said was the victim of a murder-suicide earlier this month.

Memorial service for NE Cobb woman killed in murder-suicide
Daphne Duplessis Saddler

The obituary for Daphne Duplessis Saddler, 38, said the service will take place July 5 at Mayes-Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta.

According to police, she was shot and killed in her home on June 7 by a man who also lived there. He was identified as Sam Mills, 44, and police said after killing Saddler, he turned the gun on himself. Police have not said how, or if, they were related.

Two of her three children named in the obituary have a last name of Mills.

Saddler bought a home in the Ramblewood subdivision near Sprayberry High School in 2021, and was a board member of the McCleskey Family-East Cobb YMCA, according to the obituary.

She was an attorney who worked for the Morgan and Morgan and John Foy personal injury law firms before starting her own law practice, the Brick Law Firm, in the Cumberland area in 2024.

Saddler grew up in Boston and graduated from the University of Massachusetts, and earned a law degree from the University of Florida.

“In her personal time, she enjoyed running 5Ks, exploring art exhibits, attending comedy shows, and listening to music of all genres, from classical and pop to Haitian kompa,” her obituary states. “Her favorite moments were spent outdoors with her three children, biking, hiking, skating, and traveling together as a family.”

The obituary states that a visitation will precede the memorial service on July 5, and that Saddler will be entombed at Kennesaw Memorial Park.

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One man killed, woman wounded in apartment shooting near KSU

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One man killed, woman wounded in apartment shooting near KSU

Cobb Police said that a man has been shot and killed and a woman has been hospitalized after being shot during an argument at an apartment complex Sunday night near the Kennesaw State University campus.

In a release Monday morning, Cobb Police Officer Aaron Wilson said Jalen Parker, 24, of Kennesaw, was pronounced dead at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital after being shot several times.

Wilson said Antoinette Hammonds, 40, also of Kennesaw, was taken to Kennestone, and is in stable condition.

Anthony Lockett, 22, of Kennesaw, was charged and arrested for murder and aggravated assault, police said.

According to his booking report, Lockett is being held at the Cobb Adult Detention Center without bond and his home address is listed as at an apartment complex on Hidden Forest Drive in Northeast Cobb.

Wilson said that police were called to the scene of Bixby Kennesaw (3021 George Busbee Parkway) around 8:15 p.m. Sunday and found a woman shot in the parking lot. She was later identified as Hammonds, the suspect’s mother, police said.

The complex is located across the street from Fifth Third Stadium and close to Town Center Mall, and primarily serves as off-campus housing.

Inside an apartment, according to Wilson, officers found a man shot multiple times, and he was later identified as Parker.

Police said there was an argument inside the apartment, but they didn’t say what it was about.

Police said Lockett was present during the argument and left the scene, then “returned with family members, confronted people inside with a gun, and then fired multiple shots inside the apartment,” striking Parker.

Someone else in the apartment returned fire, according to police, and Hammonds was shot in the exchange. Police said she was taken to the parking lot where first responders found her and took her to Kennestone.

Wilson said the investigation is continuing and anyone with information should contact the Cobb County Police Major Crimes Unit at 770-499-3945 or Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477).

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Police investigating likely murder-suicide at NE Cobb home

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UPDATED, 2:38 P.M.:

Police have identified the woman as Daphne Saddler, 38, and the man as Samuel Mills, 44. Police said that her next of kin have been identified, but they have been unable to locate next of kin for Mills.

Police did not say how they were related but that they lived in the home together, and that Mills killed Saddler before committing suicide, and that both of them died from apparent gunshot wounds.

Cobb property tax records show that Saddler was the owner of the home, and purchased it in 2021.

She was an attorney and the founder of Brick Law Firm in the Cumberland area.

ORIGINAL REPORT:

Cobb Police said they suspect that a man killed a woman at a residence in Northeast Cobb before taking his own life there Saturday morning.Cobb Police, Holly Springs Road suspicious person, East Cobb crime forum

They said that officers were called to a home on Research Drive, located off Morgan Road, shortly after 10:30 a.m., on a report of “a person down,” and found two people, a man and a woman, dead at the scene.

The address was located in the Ramblewood neighborhood near Sprayberry High School.

Their names of the dead individuals have not been released, and Cobb Police have not provided further information or indicated a possible motive.

In a brief statement to East Cobb News, Cobb Police Sgt. Eric Smith said only that the “preliminary investigation indicates that this was a homicide, and the offender then committed suicide. The male was the offender, and the female was the victim. Both subjects resided at the residence.”

Police said their investigation is continuing, and that anyone with information is asked to call the Major Crimes Unit at 770) 499-3945.

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Woman charged in death of elderly man at NE Cobb home

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A 62-year-old woman is being held without bond in connection with the death of an elderly man at a home in Northeast Cobb, according to Cobb Police.Northeast Cobb car crash, Cops on Donut Shops

Cobb Police said that Rachael Ward was charged with one felony count of neglect of an elderly person.

Police said in a statement Thursday that patrol officers were called early Wednesday morning to a home on Stoneridge Drive, located off East Piedmont Road and near Canton Road, after getting a report of an unresponsive male at the residence.

Officers found the male deceased, according to police, and after an investigation by the Major Crimes Unit, Ward was taken into custody.

Cobb Sheriff’s Office records indicate she was booked at the Cobb Adult Detention Center on Wednesday.

The victim was identified in an arrest warrant as Earl Sylvester Douglas, no age given.

The warrant, which detailed allegations of neglect dating back to January 2019, said Ward has been his caregiver since 2011.

It states that “she failed to render or seek medical aid when Douglas became sick and suffered from infected bed sores.”

The warrant further states that Ward “also failed to provide adequate nutrition to Douglas as he lost significant weight in recent months.”

In addition, she “failed to provide adequate shelter, keeping him inside a house with no air conditioning and failing to clean his room, his bed, or himself when soiled,” according to the warrant.

The warrant didn’t indicate any familial relationship between Ward and Douglas.

According to Cobb tax records, she is listed as the owner of the home on Stoneridge Drive where Douglas’ body was found.

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Memphis murder, drug suspects arrested at East Cobb home

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Marietta Police said Friday they have arrested two men who are wanted on outstanding murder warrants in Memphis as part of a gang-related narcotics sweep at a home in the East Cobb area.Marietta Police

Police said on Friday that four people were taken into custody by the Marietta Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and Special Operations Group (SOG) after a search warrant was executed at a home near the Marietta Loop and Powers Ferry Road.

In a social media posting, Marietta Police said that the two men and two women were arrested early Thursday morning at the home, located on Crestridge Drive in the Hamby Acres neighborhood.

Martavious Jenkins, 34, of Memphis, and Lecameron Jenkins, 24, of Memphis, were wanted on two counts of murder and eight counts of attempted murder each in their hometown.

They also were charged with one count each of being a fugitive from justice, as well as five felony narcotics charges each, including intent to distribute a variety of drugs.

Also charged were Maria Jenkins, 25, of Memphis and Jade Brown, 19, of Memphis, both with five intent to distribute narcotics charges, according to police.

According to Cobb Sheriff’s Office booking reports, all four are being held without bond at the Cobb Adult Detention Center, as Marietta Police said they “will facilitate their transfer back to Memphis.”

Marietta Police said they were informed by the Memphis Police gang unit that an ongoing homicide investigation begun in late April led them to Marietta, and that Marietta authorities began their own probe along with the FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force.

Police said that narcotics were in “plain sight” at the Crestridge Drive home as they executed the search warrant late Wednesday night, and that another search warrant was secured for the property.

According to police, a variety of drugs were seized on the scene, including MDMA, Oxycodone, Psilocybin Mushrooms, THC gummies, and more than five pounds of marijuana.

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Cobb government acknowledges ransomware attack on networks

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A cybercrime gang known for conducting ransomware attacks on computer systems around the world is saying it cracked Cobb County government’s networks recently that led to 10 individuals being affected, according to a published report.

Our investigation is ongoing. We will continue to notify any additional affected individuals as necessary. If we determine that specific personal information is at risk, Cobb County will provide those individuals with credit monitoring and identity theft protection.We also urge all residents to remain vigilant. Monitor your financial accounts closely and immediately report any suspicious activity to your financial institution. Currently, there is no evidence that any individual has experienced harm due to this incident. Finally, we want to reassure the public that Cobb County’s network is secure, and it remains safe to do business with us. Please note that this remains an active law enforcement investigation, and there may be questions we are unable to answer at this time.
A cybersecurity website said it found this graphic on the dark website of a cybercriminal organization claiming it hacked Cobb government networks.

But Cobb government said Friday afternoon it hasn’t been able to confirm the identity of the culprits, and “we will not speculate on information allegedly found on obscure parts of the internet.”

Cobb announced the data breach on March 21 as it began to investigate, and said last week that it believed that “an unauthorized actor” gained access to its computer systems.

A statement from Cobb spokesman Ross Cavitt Friday afternoon said that Cobb has acknowledged that there was a ransomware attack, adding that “we immediately followed established protocols, took our systems offline, and restored operations shortly thereafter.”

A third party issued a ransom demand, “which we declined,” Cavitt continued. “We refuse to support or enable criminal enterprises, even when faced with difficult choices. While we understand this may offer limited comfort to those affected, standing firm sends a clear message: bad actors will not profit from this crime.”

A website called Comparitech, which says it’s a British-based “pro-consumer” entity that helps individuals and organizations improve online security and privacy, published a story Friday saying that the cybercrime group, Qilin, claimed responsibility for the Cobb government network attacks.

The Comparitech report showed a graphic (above, at right) of what Qilin listed on its dark site about the Cobb attack, with some identifications covered, and said that 150 GB of data had been stolen.

According to Comparitech, Qilin “is a Russia-based hacking group that mainly targets victims through phishing emails to spread its ransomware” and began in 2022.

The report said Qilin has claimed 17 attacks in 2025 and there are 161 other unconfirmed claims “that haven’t been acknowledged by the targeted organizations.”

Qilin is a Chinese word for a unicorn and is a famous figure in Chinese mythology, signfiying good fortune, peace, and prosperity.

Also known as Agenda, Qilin is a ransomware-as-a-service criminal operation that works with affiliates to encrypt the data of hacked organizations, then demands a ransom.

The Comparitech report said that recent attacks include a local government data breach in West Haven, Conn., in which more than 4,000 people were notified.

A municipal court in Cleveland, Ohio said Qilin demanded $4 million in an attack in February, according to Comparitech.

On Friday, Cavitt didn’t say how much of a ransom was demanded of Cobb government.

Cobb said the 10 individuals affected by the data breach last month have been contacted, but didn’t elaborate on what data was stolen or compromised, and that the FBI has been notified, but didn’t indicate how that agency may be involved.

In Friday’s statement, Cavitt also said the following:

“Our investigation is ongoing. We will continue to notify any additional affected individuals as necessary. If we determine that specific personal information is at risk, Cobb County will provide those individuals with credit monitoring and identity theft protection.

“We also urge all residents to remain vigilant. Monitor your financial accounts closely and immediately report any suspicious activity to your financial institution. Currently, there is no evidence that any individual has experienced harm due to this incident.

“Finally, we want to reassure the public that Cobb County’s network is secure, and it remains safe to do business with us. Please note that this remains an active law enforcement investigation, and there may be questions we are unable to answer at this time.”

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Six arrested after East Marietta gunfire, police chase

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Six arrested after gunfire, police chase in East Marietta
Marietta PD photo

Marietta Police said Thursday that six people have been arrested after gunfire broke out an an apartment complex in East Marietta, followed by a law enforcement pursuit that ended with a crashed BMW.

Police said that two people who suffered gunshot wounds in the incident have been discharged from Kennestone Hospital.

Marietta Police said they were called to the Lakeside at Town Center complex at 425 Williams Drive, off Bells Ferry Road, around 10 p.m. Wednesday, after residents reported hearing gunfire.

Police said one of the callers said bullets entered her unit, but she was not struck, and that several vehicles and apartments were damaged by the gunfire.

Others described a vehicle leaving the scene as a black BMW sedan, according to police, and patrol units located it on Polk Street and Mountain View Road in Marietta.

After a police chase began the driver of the BMW lost control, and the car crashed into a power pole near that intersection and overturned, according to police, who said all six occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody.

Police said they also found four weapons in the car: three handguns and a rifle.

The suspects are Artavious Corley, 19, and Arthur Stanley, 18, both of an East Cobb address in Marietta; Charles Eliot, 20, of Canton; Dorian Santos, 18, of Canton; Arshad Head, 23, of Dallas; and Alexander Gonzales-Mendoza; 18, of Canton.

All six were charged with felony aggravated assault with intent to commit murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, according to police, who said they are being held without bond at the Cobb Adult Detention Center.

Marietta Police said the investigation continues and that anyone with information is asked call 770-794-5200 or Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta (404-577-8477).

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With Cobb Police Precinct 6, ‘we can be a little more local’

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With Cobb Police Precinct 6, 'we can be a little more local'
Cobb commissioners and public safety leaders officially open Cobb Police Precinct 6 Friday. (ECN photos and video)

After more than a decade of planning, cajoling and hustling by county officials to put together funding and complete construction, a Cobb Police precinct in Northeast Cobb has opened to the public.

At a Friday morning ribbon-cutting for Precinct 6, Commissioner JoAnn Birrell noted that the flagpoles had just gone up a couple days before.

Most of the offices and rooms inside the new facility are unoccupied, save a small staff comprising the Cobb Police DUI Task Force.

Located off Gordy Parkway near Sandy Plains Road and the Mountain View Aquatic Center at 3141 Hong Way, Precinct 6 will eventually include patrol officers in an area of East Cobb that is a good distance from Precinct 4, on Lower Roswell Road.

Precinct 4 stretches from Canton Road to the Powers Ferry Road corridor.

Cobb Police’s current coverage map, with most of East Cobb in Precinct 4.

With a presence in Northeast Cobb, “we can be a little more local,” Cobb Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer said of the aim to better-serve the public for emergencies as well as routine matters, like picking up police reports.

There’s part-time staff on hand for that purpose now, but the mission of the precinct—to become full-service–is a longer-term prospect.

“This is a dream come true,” said Birrell, who has been pushing for a precinct in her District 3 for years.

“Even though it’s not a full-fledged precinct yet, you’re still covered. You haven’t missed a beat.”

Citizens can go to Precinct 6 to file an incident report and receive a copy of one, do vehicle identification number (VIN) checks, hold community meetings, conduct online safe sales, obtain vehicle releases and speak with an officer.

Hours are daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In 2023, commissioners approved $7.7 million to complete a Precinct 6 project that was initially budgeted for $5 million in 2016 Cobb SPLOST funds. But construction cost increases delayed the opening.

When commissioners approved the additional $2.2 million in spending in 2023, the building was only 60 percent complete, with most of the interior build-out still to come.

Most of Birrell’s district now includes coverage by Precinct 4, commanded by Maj. Brian Batterton, who will be overseeing the phased expansion of Precinct 6 operations.

Commissioner JoAnn Birrell calls the opening of Precinct 6 “a dream come true.”

Precinct 4 has 18 patrol “beats,” or coverage zones, while Precinct 1 in Northwest Cobb has 8 beats, and public safety officials admit both are stretched thin, both in geography and staffing.

A possible scenario once Precinct 6 is fully operational would be to have each of those three precincts with six beats apiece.

“As the county continues to grow, more public safety services will be needed,” Cobb Public Safety Director Mike Register said. “When you look at the population growth here you really can see it’s needed.”

The ability to decrease response times is among the driving factors, as is the ability to retain emergency equipment that can’t be put in each patrol car.

While Friday’s grand opening (which included lunch courtesy of Williamson Bros. BBQ) is the first phase of the Precinct 6 build out, the timetable for the next steps is fluid.

Retiring Cobb Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer said the department has 60 officer openings.

The second phase will be to take a few beats from Precincts 1 and 4 and move them to Precinct 6.

VanHoozer, who is retiring at the end of the month after 35 years with Cobb Police, said it’s possible two beats from each could start up that process, possibly by the end of next year, depending on the department’s hiring and retention success.

The Cobb Police Department has around 700 sworn officers, and is around 60 officers short.

He said that’s a lot less than the department has had in recent years, but challenges remain filling them, like many law enforcement agencies are experiencing.

The third phase would be a fully operational precinct with a command staff similar to the existing five precincts.

That too depends on what staffing will look like, and VanHoozer said a comprehensive analysis will likely take place to reallocate beat resources across the county.

In touting Birrell’s work to see Precinct 6 become a reality, Commissioner Monique Sheffield said her colleague “understands that safe neighborhoods are a bedrock of any community.

“It’s more than a building. Let’s continue to build a strong and safer Cobb County.”

An office for a sergeant with the Cobb Police DUI Task Force.

Cobb Police is selling K-9 plush toys to support the 11 units in the department.
Rose, a Cobb Police K-9 dog, greets a citizen.

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East Cobb man indicted for setting his house on fire

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A Cobb Superior Court grand jury has indicted an an East Cobb man for arson at his own home last fall.East Cobb man convicted

According to an indictment issued March 28, Nader Nahid was indicted on one count of first-degree arson for a fire that took place on Oct. 10, 2024 at his residence on Taliwa Trail.

That’s located off Roswell Road near Old Canton Road.

An arrest warrant included in the court filings alleges that at around 3:10 that afternoon, Nahid set on fire a stack of luxury vinyl planks outside the front door of the home.

The fire spread to the attic and caused “substantial damage” to the residence, according to the warrant, and officers noted that “the odor of gasoline was present.”

The warrant further states that Nahid was the only person at the home at the time, and also was the only person there when a fire was reported on July 31, 2024.

Court filings indicate that Nahid was found to be indigent and is being represented by a public defender. He was released on a $15,000 bond in February and ordered not to return to the home, according to court filings.

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Former Cobb Sheriff’s Deputy indicted on fraud charges

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The Cobb District Attorney’s Office said a former Cobb Sheriff’s Deputy has been indicted on charges of fraud and violating his oath of office.Cobb sheriff

Cobb DA Sonya Allen said in a release Friday afternoon that Mark Ryan Hampton, 38, has been indicted by a grand jury for multiple counts of allegedly defrauding individuals and organizations by receiving money through fundraising and gifts after falsely claiming to have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and having complications.

Hampton was a sheriff’s deputy for five years, and an investigation into his activities began in November 2021, after complaints were filed about a social media account associated with him, according to the release.

The DA’s office said the investigation yielded that Hampton faked an illness with multiple sclerosis to solicit financial support.

Allen’s office didn’t indicate how much money Hampton allegedly raised, but said he was arrested on June 13, 2022. His indictment charges him with violations of Oath by Public Officer and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

“This indictment reflects our commitment to upholding the law and ensuring that public trust is maintained. He betrayed that trust by deceiving others for personal gain. No one should ever feel they are above the law,” Allen said in the release.

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Outgoing Cobb Police Chief to speak to East Cobb civic group

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Stuart VanHoozer, who will be leaving his post next month as Cobb Police Chief, is the featured speaker at the March meeting of the East Cobb Civic Association Thursday.Stuart VanHoozer, Cobb Police Chief

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Wellstar East Cobb Health Park (3747 Roswell Road), and seating is limited.

VanHoozer, who was appointed police chief in 2022, said in an interview with WSB-TV earlier this month that he will be stepping down at the end of April, after a 25-year career with the department.

The county has not officially announced the news, and an interim chief has not been appointed.

VanHoozer cited lowering crime figures and a desire to spend more time with his family for his departure, and that he plans to find employment outside of law enforcement.

VanHoozer began with Cobb Police as a patrol officer in 1999, and moved up the ranks as a precinct commander and in other high-ranking roles, including narcotics investigations and internal affairs, before becoming a deputy chief.

He holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice and public and social services from Kennesaw State University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

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Venezuelan gang member arrested in Cobb for Chicago murders

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A member of the Venezuelan street gang Tren De Aragua was arrested Thursday in Cobb County for the murders of two people in Chicago, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.Cobb Sheriff's Office

The DOJ said in a release that Ricardo Gonzales, 32, was taken into custody on an arrest warrant in Cook County, Ill, as he is a suspect in multiple kidnapping and murder cases.

Authorities say he is a “high-ranking” member of Tren De Aragua, which has been classified as a transnational criminal organization and as a criminal terrorist organization by the U.S. government.

According to the Cobb Sheriff’s Office, Gonzales was listed residing at an apartment on Hidden Glen Drive, located near Delk Road and Cobb Parkway, and was arrested there by the Sheriff’s Office early on Thursday morning.

He is being held without bond at the Cobb Adult Detention Center as a fugitive from justice, according to his booking report.

The DOJ said he is awaiting extradition to Chicago on two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder.

The DOJ said that five other people were arrested as Gonzales was being detained and were transferred to detention facilities run by the department’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unit.

According to the DOJ, Gonzales was accused of kidnapping three female victims on Jan. 28 and taking them to an alley in Chicago where they were all shot in the head.

Law enforcement in Chicago said two of the women died, and the surviving victim was able to escape and call 911.

“This defendant’s crimes against American women are horrific, and he is exactly the type of Alien Enemy the Trump administration is fighting to remove from this country in order to make America safe again,” U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in the release.

In recent weeks, several members of the Tren De Aragua gang have been arrested by U.S. authorities under the Alien Enemies Act, dating from 1798, in an attempt to deport violent illegal immigrants.

The DOJ didn’t indicate Gonzales’ immigration status, nor was there any mention of that on his Cobb jail booking report.

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Reward offered in animal cruelty case at East Cobb home

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Reward offered in animal cruelty case at East Cobb home

Cobb Police are looking for a suspect in an aggravated animal cruelty case in East Cobb.

Police said that a Good Samaritan arrived at the Cobb Animal Services shelter on Feb. 22 to report an emaciated puppy that had been caged and abandoned at a home on Forest Lane, located off Terrell Mill Road.

According to police, the puppy was left in a cage without food, water or bedding in near-freezing temperatures.

Police said an animal cruelty examination on the animal revealed visible pelvic bones and vertebrae as well as muscle loss.

Police said the suspect is a male but did not provide any descriptive information.

Anyone with information can submit an anonymous tip to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477), online at www.StopCrimeAtl.org, or by texting CSGA and the tip to 738477.

Persons do not have to give their name or identifying information to be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

You can also contact Cobb Police Det. Whitley at [email protected].

 

 

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