22 April 2022

District Attorney Keith Higgins announced today that a Camden County Grand
Jury has returned an indictment charging Varshan Lamont Brown, 47, of Woodbine, with the
offenses of Felony Murder, 2 counts of Aggravated Assault upon a Public Safety Officer,
Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Commission of a Crime by a Convicted Felon
Through Use of a Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

The Felony Murder count alleges that while in the commission of an Aggravated Assault upon a
Public Safety Officer, Brown caused the death of Latoya James on May 4, 2021. The counts for
Aggravated Assault upon a Public Safety Officer allege that Brown shot a firearm at Downy
Casey, Jr. and shot a firearm in the direction of Michael Blaquiere, public safety officers who
were executing a search warrant for the Camden County Sheriff’s Office on May 4, 2021.

The indictment resulted from an investigation conducted by the Georgia Bureau of
Investigation. District Attorney Higgins and Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Robert
German will prosecute the case.

Brown is currently incarcerated in the Camden County Jail.

Members of the media with further questions may contact the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District
Attorney’s Office at 912-554-7200.

20 April 2022

District Attorney Keith Higgins announced today that he would not pursue a
criminal prosecution of the officers involved in an incident that resulted in the death of Latoya
James during the execution of a narcotics search warrant in Woodbine.

On May 4, 2021, at approximately 04:45am, Camden County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Drug Task
Force officers were at residential address on US HWY 17 in Woodbine, GA, for the purpose of
executing a narcotics search warrant. Following entry of the residence, a use of force incident
occurred involving CCSO Deputy Downy Casey, CCSO Deputy Michael Blaquiere, and Varshan
Brown. During the incident, Brown and another occupant of the residence, Latoya James,
received gunshot wounds, and James was pronounced dead at the scene.

DA Higgins met privately with members of the family and with select community leaders today
to announce his decision. DA Higgins expressed his condolences to the family of Latoya James,
stating, “While any loss of life is always tragic, the officers’ use of force in this instance was
justified to protect their lives.”

Since the State intends to pursue criminal charges against Varshan Brown, a redacted copy of
the investigative case file will not be provided to the family or posted on the District Attorney’s
Office website.

Members of the media with further questions may contact the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District
Attorney’s Office at 912-554-7200