Court Ruling Strikes Residency Limitations for Sex Offender

Thursday, November 29, 2007 On July 1, 2006 the Georgia legislature passed one of the most restrictive sex offender registry laws in the nation.  The most controversial provision of the law, residency restrictions, found its way to the Georgia Supreme Court.  Last week, the Court ruled the residency restrictions placed on sex offenders is unconstitutional. The sex offender registry is a tool to warn the public and provide a means for law enforcement to track convicted sex offenders in the community. The Georgia law tasked Sheriffs' Offices throughout the state with the responsibility for registering sex offenders, which includes approving where a sex offender can reside.  Many sex offender were required to move or prohibited from living at certain locations after the implementation of the new law.  However, based on the Court's ruling, it has been determined that the residency restriction provision as written, is not enforceable.  Sex offenders may now live wherever they choose.  They are no longer restricted from living within 1000 feet of day care centers, schools, churches, and other areas where minors congregate.  In light of this ruling, Georgia's deputies will continre registering and tracking sex offenders and informing the public where offenders live through local sheriff's office websites, postings in public places, and local newspaper announcements. In addition, community involvement is the keystone behind the publicly assessable sex offender registry.  Citizens become the eyes and ears of the community and become acutely aware of offenders who reside, work, and attend school in the community.  The public is encouraged to educate themselves on the presence of sex offenders living in their community.  Contact the Toombs County Sheriff's Office website at www.toombscosheriffoffice.com and go to Sex Offender List or access other sex offender registry websites, such as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Sex Offender Registry, to increase awareness of Georgia's sex offender population and their whereabouts. The Georgia  Sheriffs' Association, Inc. is comprised of 159 elected sheriffs with the support of over 45,000 honorary members throughout the state who recognize and appreciate the service of the constitutional Office of the Sheriff and the Georgia Sheriffs' Youth Homes, Inc.

Monday November 19, 2007 HELP US FIND YOU !!!!!!!!The Toombs County Commissioners have established a new numbering system which shall be administered by the Toombs County 911 Division.  This ordinance was established in 1999 and made known to the public at that time. It is necessary for public safety purposes that 911 emergency operators accurately dispatch assistance as well as dispatched units promptly locates the area to be serviced.  It is required that all locations that have been furnished a 911 address in Toombs County outside an incorporated area must display an address so that it is visible from the public roadway.  All locations furnished with a 911 address are required to display their proper address on their mailbox.  If there is no mailbox then the address must be displayed so that it is easily visible from the roadway.  The numbers need to be at least 3 inches and in a contrasting color. This is a county ordinance and will be enforced by the Toombs County Sheriff's Office.  Failure to comply will result in a fine.

Monday November 5, 2007,  It is with great sadness that Sheriff Alvie (Junior) Kight reports, on Saturday afternoon, November 3, 2007, at approximately three-thirty P.M., Toombs County Deputies responded to a call at 3204 Lot E, Lyons, Georgia, in reference to a child being hit by a vehicle.  According to witnesses, Ragelio Monrreal, 22-month-old Hispanic male, was playing in the yard when Yanko Lopez backed up to leave and ran over the small boy with his vehicle.  He apparently did not realize what had happened and drove off.  The child was taken to the Meadows Regional Hospital in Vidalia where he was later pronounced dead.  Parents of the child are Ragelio Monrreal, and Vidalia Quintero.  The incident is under investigation by the Toombs County Sheriff's Office and at this time no foul play is suspected. 

Monday September 24, 2007, According to Sheriff Alvie Lee Kight, Jr. on Saturday September 22, 2007, Toombs County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a gun shot victim at 752 Ponderosa Road, Lyons. When deputies arrived they found Phillip Anthony Smith, thirty-five-year-old white male who had been shot twice. Smith was hit in the hand and shoulder area with a 32-Caliber and was transported by EMS to Meadows Regional Medical Center in Vidalia. Phillip Lee Jones thirty-one-year old white male was arrested at the scene by Toombs County Sheriff's Deputies in connection with the shooting. According to Jones the argument started when Smith accused Jones of taking a Bull Dog from Smith's residence earlier in the week.  Jones stated that Smith pulled what he believed to be a small hand gun and pointed it at him.  At that time Jones fired two rounds from his 32 cal. handgun, hitting Smith.  According to Smith he did not have a gun at the time and no other gun was found at the scene other than the suspect's gun.  Jones is being charged with aggravated assault and is being held in the Charles Durst Detention Center.  A bond hearing will be held later today.  The case is under investigation by the Toombs County Sheriff's Office and the GBI.

Monday September 24, 2007, According to Sheriff Alvie (Junior) Kight, Monday, September 24, 2007, Toombs County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a two car accident on Highway 1, North on Pendleton Creek Bridge.  Two vehicles had collided head-on after trying to miss several broken up bales of hay that were laying in the roadway which appeared to have caused the accident.  Apparently the bales of hay had fallen off a vehicle earlier this morning.  EMA, The Fire Department and EMS units were dispatched to the scene.  Juan Gabriel Guzman of Route 3, Box 446, Metter, Georgia was dead on arrival when the units arrived on the scene.  Two of the victims had to be extracted from one of the vehicles.  EMS transported two of the victims to Meadows Regional Medical Center in Vidalia. The Toombs County Sheriff's Office and the Georgia State Patrol are investigating the accident.

Friday August 24, 2007 According to Sheriff Alvie (Junior) Kight, Wednesday, August 22nd 2007 on Ezra Taylor Road, an altercation took place between several juveniles and young adults, all from Lyons.  The arguments began with a cell phone conversation that took place at a residence in Lyons.  They agreed to meet on  Ezra Taylor Road to settle their differences.  When they arrived at the location they were met by George Dykes, a seventeen-year-old white male and John Christopher Murphy, twenty-six year old white male, both from 460 Adams Hammock Road.  Murphy pulled a 45 Caliber Automatic and fired onto the ground.  The other party got into their vehicle to leave when Murphy fired three rounds into the vehicle hitting  one of the juveniles in the leg.  Luckily  no one was seriously injured during this altercation.  Christopher Murphy has been charged with Aggravated Assault.  George Dykes has been charged with Simple Battery after an incident occurred that morning at Toombs County High School due to him hitting a female while at school.  Both have been arrested.  George Dykes has been released on bond.  Christopher Murphy is being held at Charles Durst Detention Center at this time.

Saturday August 20, 2007 According to Sheriff Alvie Lee Kight, Jr., early Saturday morning August 18, 2007, Toombs County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to the north end of Toombs County near Highway 297 and Taylor Springs Road, in reference to three home invasions by three white males wearing bandanas around their face.  The suspects forced their way into two homes and attempted the third but were unsuccessful.  The suspects were demanding money from the home owners when they forced their way in through the door of the homes.  It appeared that they forced their way in the front door of one of the residence by kicking it open.  The suspects broke glass out of the front door of the other house and opened the door with their hands to get inside the residence. Shots were fired at the suspects at one of the homes by the home owner but apparently no one was hit.  The home owner was not injured.  If you have any information on these suspects please call the Toombs County Sheriff's Office.

Monday July 23, 2007 Please be aware that copper tubing is still very high and we have people taking Copper wire out of abandoned homes and new residences until construction. If you have any information concerning this please call the Toombs County Sheriff's Office at 912-526-6778. 

Saturday July 21, 2007 According to Sheriff Alvie Lee Kight Jr., Toombs County Deputies recovered three marijuana plants in the south end of the county near the Cedar Crossing area. They were approximately 3 ft. high, still in a large pot and appeared to be watered and fertilized recently. No arrest have been made at this time. The Toombs County Sheriff's Office is conducting the investigation.