Crime & Safety stories in Atlanta

Brallan Martinez, 25, was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges of child molestation involving a 14-year-old girl he met on Snapchat. He will also serve lifetime probation and register as a sex offender upon release.

Kristy Cooley was sentenced to 40 years in prison after being convicted of severe abuse and torture of her 9-year-old daughter. The case was uncovered by an observant online teacher who reported the signs of abuse.

Christopher Harold Lovett, 59, has been arrested after dragging a Clayton County police officer during a traffic stop on October 21. The officer is recovering from non-life-threatening injuries.

Atlanta police arrested two women on murder and child cruelty charges after 4-year-old Colby Cooks was found dead from severe abuse. Family friends revealed that the Georgia DFCS received multiple reports of abuse months prior to the tragedy.

Christopher Harold Lovett has been arrested following a nearly week-long manhunt after allegedly dragging a Clayton County officer during a traffic stop. Officer P. Fender was injured in the incident, which occurred when Lovett sped away after being pulled over for speeding in a school zone.

Jason Andrew Webb, 37, is accused of posing as a police officer and exposing himself to a driver at a gas station in Suwanee. He faces charges of impersonating a public officer and public indecency after the incident was recorded by the victim.

Six individuals were sentenced in Fulton County for their roles in a series of deadly robberies that involved impersonating Uber Eats drivers. The court heard emotional testimonies from victims' families, highlighting the lasting pain caused by the murders.

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office is verifying the whereabouts of registered sex offenders to ensure compliance with residency laws. This initiative comes as the county has the highest concentration of sex offenders in Georgia, with checks being conducted just before Halloween weekend.

A suspect has been arrested following a deadly shooting outside The Crest at South Point apartments in McDonough. The victim was shot in the chest during an argument and later pronounced dead at a medical facility.

Kevin Betts was arrested in Jones County after deputies found him attempting to hide methamphetamine in a child's bedroom. He faces charges for possession of meth and violation of probation.

Taconda Lashad Bush, 50, was arrested for a drive-by shooting at a home in Cherokee County where children were present. Authorities used surveillance footage and witness interviews to identify him, and the incident may be linked to a previous workplace issue.

Taconda Lashad Bush, 50, has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and stalking after a drive-by shooting occurred at a Cherokee County residence. The incident raised concerns due to the presence of children in the home during the shooting.

Erica Patterson, convicted of murdering relatives with poisonous mushrooms, has lost her appeal and will serve life in prison without parole. The court deemed her actions as shockingly criminal, denying any possibility of early release.

Gainesville police arrested two suspects after a shooting injured a 14-year-old boy on Tuesday. The shooting happened shortly before 1:30 p.m. in the area of Chestnut Street and Summit Street. The boy was shot multiple times, but survived.[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]On

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with a shooting that injured a 14-year-old boy in Gainesville. The incident highlights a troubling trend of violence involving teenagers in the area.

Atlanta police have arrested two women, Jasmaine Smoak and Jasmine Jenkins, in connection with the death of 4-year-old Cobee Cooks, whose body was discovered in a closet. The Fulton County Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide due to multiple blunt force injuries.

Andrew Wayne Broome, 36, has been arrested in Hall County after a cybertip led to the discovery of 100 videos of child sexual exploitation. He is currently held without bond as investigations continue into additional charges.

Two suspects, including a 15-year-old charged as an adult, have been arrested following the shooting of a 14-year-old in Gainesville. Police Chief Jay Parrish described the incident as a 'wake-up call' amid rising youth violence.

Johnathon Bostic was arrested for exposing himself and threatening a mail carrier, and now faces additional charges for making a shank while in custody. His violent behavior raises concerns about safety and security in local jails.

A 19-year-old man, Hunter King, has been charged with aggravated assault after allegedly shooting his girlfriend's father, Richard Powell, in Covington. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening, also involves charges of child cruelty, though details remain unclear.

Three individuals, including a former student, were arrested for planning a shooting at Cherokee High School. The superintendent confirmed that no actual school floor plans were accessed, only publicly available images.

Christa Pike, who survived a botched execution in Tennessee, has opened up about her physical and emotional pain following the incident. She reflects on her past and the impact of her actions while calling for compassion amidst her suffering.

Investigator Stephanie Howard from the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office resigned and was arrested for allegedly misusing the Flock Safety technology. An internal audit flagged her suspicious activities, leading to charges of violating her oath of office.

A Barrow County Sheriff's Office investigator has been arrested and charged with allegedly misusing the agency's Flock license plate reader system.

A trial date has been set for Cole Tomas Allen, the man accused of an attack at the White House Correspondence dinner in April.

An investigation into possible misconduct at a northwest Georgia high school has led to an arrest, according to the sheriff’s office.[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]Joseph “Brent” Cooper, principal of Dade County High School, was arrested on two counts of improper sexual co

Atlanta police shot and killed a driver after their SUV rammed into patrol vehicles while officers were attempting an arrest. The incident occurred during an operation related to a domestic violence warrant.

Pamela Harris from South Fulton has been a victim of swatting nine times, fearing for her family's safety. Despite reporting the incidents to police and the FBI, the harassment continues, raising concerns about community safety and law enforcement response.

A 23-year-old woman, Haleigh Leanne Spradlin, was arrested after allegedly shooting at a deer hunter in Coweta County. The incident stemmed from a family dispute, with the hunter narrowly escaping injury.

Three individuals, including a 17-year-old and a 21-year-old, were arrested for planning a mass shooting at Cherokee High School in Canton. The plot involved detailed preparations, including obtaining weapons and a school floor plan, and was thwarted after the FBI detected threatening social media messages.