Toombs County Returns Grand Jury Indictments

The Toombs County Grand Jury met on Thursday, August 3, and returned 21 true bills to the Toombs County Superior Court, including the indictments of Kerri Samples Monroe and Kenny Peardell Battle.

Monroe was indicted on five counts of insurance fraud, as the Georgia State Board of Worker’s Compensation argues that Monroe fraudulently issued fake certificates of Worker’s Compensation insurance to five businesses. Monroe, who previously owned and operated The Monroe Agency, was first arrested on July 25, 2022, on five counts of felony identity fraud and seven counts of felony reporting and dispositions of premiums after the Toombs County Sheriff’s Office investigated a formal criminal complaint for fraud and theft filed against her on May 11, 2022.

The Toombs County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this investigation by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Fire Safety and the Georgia State Board of Worker’s Compensation. The next step in the legal procedure will be continued from page

for Monroe to enter a plea to begin the trial process.

Another high profile case indicted by the Grand Jury on August 3 is the State of Georgia vs. Kenny Peardell Battle. Battle was arrested on January 17, 2023, during a traffic stop after authorities recognized his vehicle from the description of two armed robberies that occurred earlier that day.

The Toombs County 911 Dispatch received a call at 11:39 a.m. on January 17 reporting an armed robbery at the Open Air Market convenience store in Lyons. The caller said that a black male had come into the store with a gun and robbed the clerk of cash. The clerk was unharmed. The Lyons Police Department quickly arrived on scene and issued a be-on-the-lookout (BOLO) order for a white Chrysler 200 being driven by the suspect.

Less than 20 minutes later, at 11:53 a.m., the Toombs County 911 Dispatch received another report of an armed robbery, but this time at a Normantown convenience store, which is located at the intersection of Old Normantown Road and New Normantown Road. The store clerk shared a description of the suspect and an event that was almost identical to the incident at the Open Air Market: a black male had entered the store with a gun and robbed the clerk of cash, but left the clerk unharmed. That same white Chrysler left the Normantown store headed to Vidalia.

As deputies responded to the incident, TCSO Lieutenant Wendell Beasley made contact with the suspect’s vehicle traveling west on Georgia Highway 130 East. Lieutenant Beasley conducted a traffic stop as other deputies arrived, and soon, he, Captain Kight, and Sheriff Kight took Battle into custody.

Battle was formally indicted on charges of armed robbery, aggravated assault, possession of Oxycodone, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted Ffelon.

Zychevious Cortez Hooks was also indicted during the Grand Jury session on three separate true bills from three instances of aggravated assault and obstruction of an officer.

On November 5, 2022, Hooks allegedly assaulted Niaemyia Rhynes with a knife after entering her home with the intent of assaulting her. A few months later, on April 21, 2023, Hooks violated a family violence ex parte protective order by calling Rhynes with intent to intimidate and harass her. Finally, on May 2, 2023, Hooks contacted Rhynes again at her home. When officers attempted to apprehend him for this offense, Hooks harmed Corporal Harley Robertson by striking her in the head and depriving her of the use of her hand, as well as resisting arrest and knocking Lieutenant Kim Williamson to the ground.

For these offenses, the Grand Jury indicted Hooks on one true bill with charges of aggravated assault, aggravated stalking, and two counts of obstruction of an officer; another true bill with charges of aggravated assault, cruelty to children in the third degree, and obstruction of an officer; and a third true bill for aggravated stalking.

Other indictments included: • Christa Lynn Traugh ber – two counts of cruelty to children in the first degree • Johnathan David Traughber – two counts of aggravated sexual battery, one count of criminal attempt to commit a felony • Georey Charles Vance – two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon • Kennedarie Antionio Beall – two counts of cruelty to children in the first degree • Justin Blake Spires – fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer • Ramon Escabedo – aggravated assault • Bradley Brandon Lane – aggravated assault • Benny Albert Murray – failure to register as a sex offender • Shannon Derrick Wyche – theft by receiving stolen property, possession of a schedule I controlled substance • Christopher Dywane Dykes – six counts of child molestation • Steven Bernard Searcy – terroristic threats, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Nicholas Vee Carroll – two counts of sale of cocaine • Winston Salem Jr. – sale of cocaine • Victor Lamar Wakins – trafficking methamphetamine, furnishing prohibited items to inmates, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute • Shakeah Lanice Sims — trafficking methamphetamine, furnishing prohibited items to inmates, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Kenny Battle