(GA. NEWS NETWORK)
*A deputy with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is accused of being involved in gang activity. WFXG reports Diana Santiago, employed by the sheriff’s office since May 2020, was taken into custody Monday on three felony charges, including Violation of Oath of Office, Conspiracy to Purchase or Possess a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Street Gang Activity.
*A former Georgia teacher who was forced to resign over an online post about conservative activist Charlie Kirk is suing her former employer. Michelle Mickens, a high school English teacher outside of Athens, says she’s been on indefinite paid suspension pending termination since the post was circulated online. In the suit, Mickens claims her First Amendment rights are being violated. The AJC reports this week her post said, “While I’m sad that we live in a country where gun violence is an epidemic, the world is a bit safer without him.” Mickens referring to Charlie Kirk. The Oglethorpe County School System says they’re confident in defending themselves.
*A Carroll County homeless couple faces charges of first-degree child cruelty after deputies found their three young children alone in a tent. Carroll County deputies say they arrested Jason and Kira Askea after receiving a call from a nearby camper who reported the children, ages 2, 4, and 5, alone, hungry, and covered in feces at Little Tallapoosa Park. Fox5 Atlanta reports deputies say the 2-year-old boy, who has Down syndrome, was unable to hold up his head, walk or talk and the child’s seizures had gone untreated, causing brain damage due to medical neglect. Reports show the children also showed signs of dental neglect and are now in DFCS custody. The parents remain in jail without bond.
*Gov. Brian Kemp has Towns County Sheriff Kenneth Henderson for 60 days after the sheriff arrested a Hiawassee Police officer during a call where a deputy had been shot twice. Body cam video shows the officer was arrested for securing the deputy’s gun. Ultimately it turned out the deputy had shot himself twice in the leg. Charges were dropped against the police officer.