Author: On Common Ground News

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A Norcross couple was convicted of manslaughter for the death of the woman’s 10-month-old son. Dennisa Mary Vega and Jahlin Javante Corey, both 33, were each found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and battery (two counts for Vega, the child’s mother, and one count for Corey) for the September 2019 death of young Amir Vega. A Gwinnett County jury also found Vega guilty of second-degree cruelty to children and found Corey guilty of two counts of aggravated battery. Corey received a sentence of 50 years, with 15 to serve in confinement, while Vega received a 21-year sentence with…

ATLANTA – Today, the Georgia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1, the Riley Gaines Act of 2025, banning biological males from participating in women’s sports across the state. A top priority of House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) and Lt. Governor Burt Jones, the bill is rooted in legislative findings on protecting female athletics and ensuring fairness in sports for women. It follows the work of the Senate Special Committee on the Protection of Women’s Sports, established by Lt. Governor Jones.   Both, Burns and Jones applauded the passage of the bill.  “Today, the General Assembly sent a clear message—biological men are not welcome in…

CONYERS, GA—Three local elected officials united to celebrate Women’s History Month with their inaugural event, “Women on Purpose,” honoring the contributions of several outstanding women in the Rockdale County community. Hosted by State Rep. Rhonda Taylor (District 92), Rockdale County Commissioner Tuwanya Smith (Post 1), and Conyers Councilmember Connie Alsobrook (District 2-Post 2), the March 16 celebration paid tribute to the resilience, leadership, and impact of women throughout Rockdale County. The evening opened with a warm welcome from Charlotte Booker and an invocation by Sandra Jackson-Lett, setting a tone of gratitude and celebration. The Rev. Darlene Smith served as the…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – A major drug dealer was convicted of trafficking more than 17 kilograms of methamphetamine. A Gwinnett County jury on Friday, March 28, found Jose Luis Sandoval guilty of trafficking methamphetamine, after he was arrested with a cache of the illegal narcotic in June 2023 “Dangerous drugs like this are not tolerated in Gwinnett County,” Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “We are pleased with this result. Thank you to the jury for this verdict and to our team for closing this case.” Sandoval was sentenced to 30 years to serve 25 years in prison custody. On June 26,…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—Authorities have located 5-year-old Indi Bullock, a non-verbal child, deceased in the retention pool behind the apartment complex where he lived in Lawrenceville. He left home on Thursday, March 27, after jumping over a balcony where he lived, the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office said.  The Hall County Sheriff’s Department dive team and the Gwinnett County Fire Department Swift Water Rescue team located the little boy after multiple agencies searched overnight for him.  GCPD Crime Scene Unit responded to the scene to collect any possible evidence and fully process the scene.  “At this time there is no suspected foul play,…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – Gwinnett Parks and Recreation is seeking part-time, seasonal lifeguards for its five year-round aquatic centers and four seasonal pools. Starting pay is $17.32 per hour, and free training is provided for candidates selected to lifeguard at a Gwinnett County aquatic center. Once individuals have passed the required courses, he or she can become American Red Cross-certified lifeguards, learning lifesaving skills, enforcing safety rules and rescuing swimmers who are injured, sick or in distress. Gwinnett County maintains and operates nine state-of-the-art seasonal and year-round aquatic facilities providing innovative programs, swim lessons, and recreational activities. “Whether preventing injuries, administering…

ATLANTA—A group of Georgia senators are condemning the Senate Committee on Education and Youth’s passage of House Bill 127. The proposed legislation that prohibits public schools, local education agencies and public postsecondary institutions from promoting or maintaining programs that advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion.  The bill passed out of the Senate Committee on Education and Youth on Thursday, March for diversity, equity and inclusion.  Senators Elena Parent (D–Atlanta), RaShaun Kemp (D–Atlanta), Donzella James (D–Atlanta), Sonya Halpern (D–Atlanta) and Freddie Powell Sims (D–Dawson)spoke against the committee’s passage of the legislation in a joint statement, stating:  “Yesterday, Georgia Senate Republicans took yet another step backward by…

DECATUR, GA–A DeKalb County Grand Jury has indicted 17 alleged gang members on drug and weapons charges following a multi-agency investigation.   Acting on a warrant that was part of an investigation out of Texas, authorities discovered firearms, an illegal psychedelic mushroom growing operation and seized a significant amount of other drugs from a house in Lithonia.  The following suspects were indicted on March 25 in connection with the case:  Darin Katharail Harris, 20 Nashan Levonta Hutton, 25 Calvary Ray Jackson, 21 Jakai Tyere Lewis, 18 Amarion Jacoby Pitts, 21 Joshua Demarquis Thomas, 19 Naseem Umar Triplett, 21 Caleb Nehemiah Dudley,…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – Career criminal prosecutor and nationally recognized legal author Michael Scott “Mike” Carlson joins the Gwinnett District Attorney’s Office today as Executive Assistant District Attorney. Carlson will lead the agency’s Appellate, Complex Case, and Training divisions. Carlson has practiced law for 33 years and has been devoted to public service since 1997. He has also co-authored several annually updated books, including “Carlson on Evidence,” and has been an adjunct professor at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School and Emory University Law School. Atlanta-based legal periodical the Daily Report in 2019 listed Carlson as a “Georgia Trailblazer” for his commitment to…

CONYERS, GA- Three Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) seniors were honored for their creative writing skills after entering this year’s “Conyers’ Celebration of Community” essay contest, a partnership between the city of Conyers and RCPS. Jasonica Morgan was the first-place winner, earning a prize of $500. Kenneth Jackson, Jr. was the second-place winner of $350 and Kevina Dallas was the recipient of $150 for third place. All three students attend Rockdale County High School and were recognized at the March 19 Conyers City Council meeting by essay judges Mayor Vince Evans and Council Member Valyncia Smith. “This year, students were tasked with writing about embracing where they…