​A big thank you to State Animal Crimes Prosecutor Jessica Rock, USDA Investigations Special Agent Douglas Bridges and the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia for presenting Animal Law and Investigation Training at the Fayette County District Attorney's Office. We had attendees from across the State of Georgia who came to the class. Every seat was filled for the training on animal cruelty investigations and prosecution.

​District Attorney Broder had the honor to speak to the Senoia Rotary Club last night regarding the role of the District Attorney. It was a great discussion and she provided updates on our office. The Senoia Rotary Club is in our neighbor circuit with many Fayette County members. Pictured below are District Attorney Marie Broder and Senoia Rotary Club President, Sam Morris.

​PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
The Fayette County District Attorney’s Office has been hard at work the past three weeks trying cases. Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Warren Sellers tried the State of Georgia vs. Robert Lemons, and on April 29, a Fayette County jury found Lemons guilty of burglary in the second degree, possession of tools for the commission of a crime, and criminal trespass. The Honorable W. Fletcher Sams sentenced the Defendant to a total of 10 years, with 9 years to serve in prison followed by 1 year of probation. The maximum sentenced was one year.
 
Lemons, a 30 year old man from McDonough, was convicted of entering the property of LKQ Pick Your Part, a business in Fayetteville, at just after 1 am on August 14, 2019. Lemons pried open an exterior door to the business with a yellow crowbar with intent to steal auto parts. The alarm was triggered.  The business had surveillance cameras and video showed the Defendant on the property wearing a dark colored long sleeved shirt, dark pants, a dark stocking cap and carrying a bag over his shoulder.  A security monitoring company employee spotted the Defendant on the surveillance camera on the property and called 911.  The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to respond to the scene, and the defendant was apprehended less than 3 minutes after the alarm was triggered. Lemons had four prior felony convictions out of other counties.
 
Senior Assistant District Attorney Dan Hiatt picked a jury to try the case of the State of Georgia vs. Eugene Martin yesterday, May 3rd. Martin, a 35 year old man from Albany, GA faced armed robbery and aggravated battery charges. On September 3, 2020, Martin and another man entered the Victoria’s Secret in the Avenue shopping center. He sprayed the victim, an employee of the store, with pepper spray and fled the scene with more than $2,000.00 worth of merchandise. Patrons of the Avenue shopping center contacted law enforcement and retrieved a tag number from the getaway vehicle. Peachtree Police Department responded and quickly put out the information about the getaway vehicle. The vehicle and the defendant were apprehended very shortly after in Newnan with the help of Newnan Police Department. The incident was caught on a security camera.
 
This morning, after the jury was empaneled, the defendant indicated his desire to enter a guilty plea to the charges. The victim was present and in accordance with the plea, The Honorable Ben J. Miller, Jr. sentenced the defendant to 30 years with the first 15 years to be served in prison. The maximum sentence was life in prison. The defendant had four prior felony convictions out of other counties.
 
Due to the lengthy history of both defendants, they will not be eligible from early release.
 
District Attorney Broder said of the convictions, “it has been a challenge to get trials up and running again, but we have done it. I am so proud of my office and our collaboration with the law enforcement agencies who worked these cases. These convictions should send a message to those who seek to come into Fayette County and commit crimes, do not come here. Here, in Fayette, we will prosecute you for those actions in order to keep the citizens safe.”
 
Trials will continue for the next two weeks. 

​Our District Attorney inspires students at St. George's Episcopal School Career Day! District Attorney Marie Broder served as guest speaker at the school's recent Career Day. The students participated in a mock trial and learned about the many different roles in our court system.
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​Please help me welcome Misty Gresham to our team! Misty is an amazing investigator, and we are very lucky to have her.

I am honored to be a panelist at this extremely important summit. Teen Dating Violence is a big problem. Start by getting informed, so you can be part of the solution! Thank you to Promise Place for organizing this!

​https://www.facebook.com/events/2936300746648375/

​I am so proud to stand along with these agencies who brought this horrific drug ring down. We did it together. I'm reminded of the quote "alone we are strong, but we are stronger together." Today we took down a methamphetamine distribution ring that was spewing poison into our communities. We stopped it with teamwork, hard work, and determination. Methamphetamine destroys families, and we took a hard stance today in saying NO MORE. Drug dealers need to pack up and get out. This is no place for you.
Thank you to all of the law enforcement agencies that were involved. We did this together. Together we are stronger.