May 25, 2023

District Attorney Keith Higgins has selected Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Tiffiny Montenegro to assume the duties of Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney for the Wayne County office on June 5, 2023.

The Wayne County Deputy Chief ADA position was held by Melissa “Mimi” Himes since March 2021. Himes was appointed to the position by DA Higgins upon his assumption of duties as District Attorney in January 2021. Deputy Chief ADA Himes has been a prosecutor in the state of Georgia for 27 years, and is transferring to work in the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office where she will continue as a prosecutor.

Deputy Chief Montenegro was hired as an ADA for the Brunswick Judicial Circuit in June 2022. Before coming to work for the District Attorney’s Office, she worked as a prosecutor in the state of Michigan for over 16 years, securing convictions on cold case murders, child molestation cases and drug prosecutions. Deputy Chief Montenegro earned both a Juris Doctorate and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Michigan State University. Her passion is helping the victims in her community and keeping the public safe. In her free time, Deputy Chief Montenegro enjoys spending time with her husband and children, sports, going to the beach and traveling.

“While we are sorry to see Mimi leave our circuit, we are grateful for everything she has done for our Wayne County community. Her professionalism and dedication to duty has been second to none.” said Higgins. “I am glad that we had the opportunity to promote from within our circuit into the Deputy Chief position. I know that Tiffiny will continue to bring her wealth of knowledge and expertise to our office and the Wayne County community.”

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

May 24, 2023

District Attorney Keith Higgins announces that Joseph Michael Trutt, 33, of Brunswick, was convicted of Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer and Possession of a Firearm during Commission of a Felony, following a jury trial that concluded on May 19, 2023.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred during the early morning hours of July 17, 2022. On that date, Glynn County Police Department Officer Mario Nichols responded to a call for assistance. Officer Nichols met with a female who wanted to get her belongings, including baby clothes, out of a house she had shared with the defendant, Joseph Michael Trutt, who was also the father of her children. The female advised Officer Nichols that she was afraid of Trutt, and she requested law enforcement assistance to stand by while she retrieved her belongings from the home.

As they arrived at the Waverly Pines area of Brunswick and were walking up the driveway toward the residence, Officer Nichols was told that Trutt was sitting in a car in the driveway. As Officer Nichols, who was wearing his marked police uniform, was turning toward the vehicle, he heard the sound of a bullet being chambered into a firearm. When Officer Nichols turned, he saw Trutt in the vehicle pointing a firearm at him, then Trutt lowered the firearm. Officer Nichols un-holstered his service weapon and instructed Trutt to put down the firearm and called for back-up assistance. After being instructed numerous times to put the firearm down, Trutt finally put the firearm down in his lap. A back-up officer arrived and retrieved the weapon from Trutt’s lap while Officer Nichols provided cover. Trutt was then placed under arrest, handcuffed and taken to the Glynn County Detention Center. The firearm utilized by Trutt was found to be a “ghost” handgun that was built by Trutt. The handgun hand a round chambered with other bullets in the magazine. The handgun was seized and placed into evidence.

The trial was held in Glynn County Superior Court and was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney T. Clifton Woody II and Assistant District Attorney Taylor Herron. Superior Court Judge Stephen D. Kelley presided over the trial where Trutt was found guilty of Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer and Possession of a Firearm during Commission of a Felony. On May 24, 2023, Trutt was sentenced by Judge Kelley to 20 years with the first 10 years in confinement and the remainder on probation for the Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, and 5 years’ probation for the Possession of a Firearm during Commission of a Felony to run consecutive to the Aggravated Assault sentence.

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

May 18, 2023

On May 17, 2023, the Camden County Grand Jury returned a True Bill of Indictment against Camden County Sheriff’s Deputy Corporal Brian Beagle, and Detention Officers Corporal Mason Garrick and Officer Braxton Massey for the offenses of Battery, Simple Battery and two counts each of Violation of Oath by Public Officer. The charges stem from an incident in the Camden County Jail involving inmate Jarrett Hobbs on September 3, 2022.

On November 15, 2022, Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Keith Higgins requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation conduct an investigation in the allegations after the District Attorney’s Office became aware of the incident. The GBI arrested Beagle, Garrick and Massey on November 22, 2022. All three bonded from jail. The results of the investigation were turned over to the District Attorney’s Office and the case was presented to the Camden County Grand Jury on May 17, 2023.

DA Higgins stated “Peace officers have great power over those who are in their custody and control. We trust our officers to responsibly exercise their power and properly treat the people who are being detained. When our trust is broken by the excessive use of force, the officers must be held accountable. No one is above the law. Those who enforce the law cannot be allowed to break it.”

Battery and Simple Battery are misdemeanors with a possible punishment of up to 12 months in jail. Violation of Oath by Public Officer is a felony with a possible punishment of 1 to 5 years in prison.

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

April 17, 2023

District Attorney Keith Higgins announces that Gordon Glenn Spurlock, 53, of Brunswick, was convicted of two counts of Felony Aggravated Assault, following a jury trial held on May 16, 2023.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred on August 9, 2022. On that date, Glynn County Police Department officers responded to a call from a residence in the Pine Meadows subdivision in Brunswick. Upon arrival, the officers determined that Spurlock, a neighbor of the victims, had accosted the victim and her daughter and pointed a gun at them as the victim was attempting to drive her daughter to school.

As the victim and her daughter were in their vehicle attempting to leave their residence, Spurlock confronted them at the end of their driveway. He insisted that the vehicle they were in was his and pointed a gun at them demanding that the vehicle be returned to him. When the police arrived, Spurlock was still acting confrontational and insisted the vehicle was his and that he was with the FBI. Neither allegation was true. An officer met with Spurlock’s mother, who allowed him to search her home where Spurlock also lived. A gun was located in the home, and was identified by the victims as the weapon that was pointed at them. Spurlock was arrested and charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault.

The trial, held on May 16, 2023, in Glynn County Superior Court, was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Presley and Assistant District Attorney Taylor Herron, and presided over by Superior Court Judge Stephen D. Kelley. Spurlock was found guilty of both counts of Aggravated Assault and was sentenced by Judge Kelley to 20 years in the Department of Corrections, with the first 10 years in confinement and the remainder on probation. Spurlock was also banished from Glynn County and was ordered to undergo mental health treatment while incarcerated with follow-up treatment at the discretion of his probation officer upon release.

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

May 10, 2023

Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Keith Higgins announces a follow-up session to the February 2023 Community Dialogue Event will be held on May 17, 2023, at the College of Coastal Georgia.

At the February Community Dialogue event, DA Higgins and members of his staff presented information on the current make-up and workings of the DA’s office, the Victim Assistance Program and the criminal justice process.  Written questions were taken from the audience at the end of the presentation.

The follow-up session will be held on May 17^th, from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm, at the College of Coastal Georgia Auditorium.  Senior law enforcement officials from the Brunswick Police Department, Glynn County Police Department, Glynn County Sheriff’s Office and Glynn County Schools will also be in attendance.  The written questions that were collected at the initial event will be addressed at this session and questions will also be taken from the audience.                        

For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, please visit our website at brunswickda.org.

May 12, 2023

District Attorney Keith Higgins announces that Joel Brown, 25, of Brunswick, pled guilty to four counts of Aggravated Child Molestation (three felony and one misdemeanor), pursuant to a negotiated guilty plea entered in Glynn County Superior Court. Sentencing in this case was held on May 11, 2023, in order to provide the victims the opportunity to be present in court.

On December 1, 2020, GCPD began an investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse perpetrated by Joel Brown. During the course of the investigation, four victims were identified who Brown had molested over several years. Following his arrest, Brown was interviewed and confessed to the allegations. After Superior Court Judge Stephen Kelley denied Brown’s motion to suppress his statement on May 5, 2023, Brown entered a guilty plea.

In line with the negotiated guilty plea, Judge Kelley sentenced Brown to 25 years in prison, with no parole, followed by lifetime probation. This is the mandatory minimum sentence prescribed by law for felony Aggravated Child Molestation. Brown will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and follow the conditions of sex offender probation which includes treatment. The District Attorney’s Office extended the offer after consulting with the victims in the case. Detective Heather Savage with the Glynn County Police Department was the lead investigator in the case.

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

April 19, 2023

Beginning in 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week was established to provide an opportunity to raise awareness of victims’ rights. This year National Crime Victims Week will be commemorated the week of April 23th –April 29th, 2023. District Attorney Keith Higgins and the employees of the Victim-Witness Assistance Program encourage our communities to embrace this year’s theme: SURVIVOR VOICES – ELEVATE. ENGAGE. EFFECT CHANGE. This year’s theme calls upon communities to amplify the voices of survivors and commit to creating an environment where survivors have the confidence that they can be heard, believed, and supported.

Originally established by President Ronald Reagan, the project has grown to teach the community about the effects of victimization and the need for services for those who are affected. At the time of the first Crime Victims Rights’ week, most states did not have formalized legal rights for victims. Services were scant and mostly word of mouth. Victims were not informed of court proceedings and were largely left out of the criminal justice process. The Crime Victims Bill of Rights and later, Marsy’s Law, have better defined and legalized the rights of those victimized by crime.

The Brunswick Judicial Circuit will have a Memorial Wall at each Courthouse in the Circuit on display the entire week. Families and friends are encouraged to drop by and write in the guestbook that will be on display along with photos of loved ones lost. Each county will also have a program that can be attended by community members, families and friends.

The Wayne County program will be held April 26th from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Wayne County Courthouse, located at 145 North Brunswick Street, Jesup, Georgia.

The Camden County program will be held April 27th from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Camden County Courthouse located at 210 E. 4th Street, Woodbine, Georgia.

The Appling County program will be held April 24th from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Appling County Public Safety Complex located at 560 Barnes Street, Baxley, Georgia.

The Jeff Davis County program will be held April 25th from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Jeff Davis County Courthouse located at 14 Jeff Davis Street, Hazlehurst, Georgia.

The Glynn County program will be held April 28th from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Glynn County Courthouse located at 701 H Street, Brunswick, Georgia.

April 19, 2023

District Attorney Keith Higgins announces that William Leslie Kehoe, 33, of Brunswick, was found guilty of Child Molestation and Sexual Battery Against a Child Under 16 Years, following a jury trial which concluded on April 13, 2023.

On April 19, 2023, Glynn County Superior Court Judge Roger B. Lane, Sr. sentenced Kehoe to 15 years serve 10 years in the Georgia Department of Corrections with the remaining 5 years on probation for the Child Molestation charge and 5 years on probation for the Sexual Battery charge, to run concurrent with the probation sentence for the Child Molestation.

The charges stem from an incident that came to light in November of 2015, when the 3-year old victim’s great-grandmother made observations and noted behaviors that were unusual for a child of that age.

Following notification to law enforcement, an investigation headed up by Investigator Stephanie Oliver, Glynn County Police Department (GCPD), was conducted. A forensic interview of the child revealed that the defendant, Kehoe, had touched the child numerous times. When the defendant was interviewed, he admitted touching the child’s genitals on many occasions, but denied it was on purpose or done in a perverted way, claiming that it happened during wrestling and playing around with the child.

The case against Kehoe was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney T. Clifton Woody, II. The trial was presided over by Superior Court Judge Roger B. Lane, Sr., in Glynn County Superior Court. Judge Lane will sentence Kehoe within the next two weeks. Kehoe is facing a possible 25 years to serve – 20 years for the Child Molestation and 5 years for the Sexual Battery Against a Child Under 16 Years.

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

April 14, 2023

District Attorney Keith Higgins announces that William Leslie Kehoe, 33, of Brunswick, was found guilty of Child Molestation and Sexual Battery Against a Child Under 16 Years, following a jury trial which concluded on April 13, 2023.

The charges stem from an incident that came to light in November of 2015, when the 3-year old victim’s great-grandmother made observations and noted behaviors that were unusual for a child of that age.

Following notification to law enforcement, an investigation headed up by Investigator Stephanie Oliver, Glynn County Police Department (GCPD), was conducted. A forensic interview of the child revealed that the defendant, Kehoe, had touched the child numerous times. When the defendant was interviewed, he admitted touching the child’s genitals on many occasions, but denied it was on purpose or done in a perverted way, claiming that it happened during wrestling and playing around with the child.

The case against Kehoe was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney T. Clifton Woody, II. The trial was presided over by Superior Court Judge Roger B. Lane, Sr., in Glynn County Superior Court. Judge Lane will sentence Kehoe within the next two weeks. Kehoe is facing a possible 25 years to serve – 20 years for the Child Molestation and 5 years for the Sexual Battery Against a Child Under 16 Years.

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

March 28, 2023

The District Attorney’s Office is aware of the incidents that occurred with regard to Trent Lehrkamp. We have met with the law enforcement agencies that are investigating the matter, and we continue to communicate with them as they are working to gather all the available facts and evidence. As the facts become known, we are researching criminal statues and procedures so we can determine what laws are applicable to the facts.

Our objective is the discovery of the truth and the proper application of the law to those facts. This requires a thorough and complete investigation by law enforcement that does not merely rely upon what is posted on social media. This takes time.

As the investigation proceeds, the District Attorney’s Office will continue to confer with law enforcement to monitor the status of the investigation and provide legal advice. Once a complete and thorough investigation has concluded, my office will review all of the evidence and determine the appropriate course of action. We will not make a decision until we know all of the facts and we can determine what can be proven by admissible evidence in a court of law.

After the District Attorney’s Office decides what action should be taken, we will publicly announce our decision and explain the factual and legal basis for the chosen course of action. At the appropriate time, a redacted copy of the investigative case file will be posted on our website at brunswickda.org under the tab for “Special-Interest Cases” so the public can review the facts for themselves.

While we understand the public interest in this case, we urge everyone to be patient and allow the investigation to take its due course. There is much misinformation about the matter on social media, and we ask you to not assume that social media posts are the actual facts of the case. The District Attorney’s Office pledges to be as transparent as possible as this case moves through our judicial system.

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