AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Former Richmond County Marshal’s Deputy Detric Jones pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery from a case out of McDuffie County, according to court records.

Jones was terminated from the marshal’s office and is now under investigation for simple battery.

Internal affairs documents from the Richmond County Marshal’s Office reveal Jones was fired after an incident at Augusta Regional Airport on Dec. 9, 2025.

According to the victim’s statement, Jones approached a passenger assistance liaison for a badge check. The victim said Jones squeezed behind her chair and brushed his erect private part against her shoulder.

He then allegedly leaned in and asked her twice: “Did you feel that?”

MORE FROM NEWS 12

Investigations: Uncovering problems in the CSRA

1. A Richmond County deputy’s dangerous liaisons
2. Judge calls molester ‘1 sick individual,’ sentences him after plea deal
3. 6-year-old walks off elementary school playground unnoticed
4. Augusta requests more details before releasing housing audit results
5. Pentagon creates permanent military moving oversight unit
6. Parents sue Ga. school district over 11-year-old’s seizure death

CCTV captured the two together, but the physical contact happened in a “blind spot” of the cameras. Jones denied the remarks, suggesting he “possibly brushed” against her by accident.

Records show Jones was fired that same day. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office started its own investigation into Jones for simple battery.

Less than a week after being fired in Richmond County, Jones was hired as a deputy in Burke County on Dec. 15. His tenure there lasted exactly seven days. By Dec. 22, Burke County human resources scrubbed him from the employee list, stating he would “not be employed here.”

While Jones was wearing the marshal’s uniform, he had been indicted by a grand jury in McDuffie County for an incident from June 2024.

In McDuffie County, Jones was a captain with the McDuffie County Board of Education Police. A victim at a juvenile justice office said Jones groped her, put his hands inside her clothes and forced a kiss on her.

On Feb. 2, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery for that McDuffie County case. He was granted first-offender status, given 12 months of probation, and a $500 fine.

Pattern of resignations

Richmond County Marshal Ramone Lampkin said at an Augusta Commission meeting more than a year ago: “People deserve second chances. We don’t know all the facts behind it. We talked to all the parties involved, and I can’t say too much because it’s an active investigation, but I am clear that we are good with this hire.”

On Friday, Lampkin released another statement:

“I want to provide clarity on the Detric Jones hire. At the time of hiring, he was under indictment but fully cleared by POST and other agencies. We conducted thorough due diligence. Upon employment, he was warned that any further allegations would result in immediate termination. When we received an allegation involving a female, we terminated him immediately and reported it to POST to suspend his certification.”

Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council records show that for years, Jones “voluntarily resigned” from every agency he worked for. Because he resigned before investigations were finished, POST was never notified of his conduct.

POST confirms Jones is now under active investigation following his termination from the Richmond County Marshal’s Office.

READ MORE: POST RECORDS FOR DETRIC JONES

In 2015, he was suspended for inappropriate comments to students.

Despite that, he nearly became a sheriff, winning the primary in Wilkes County months ago.

Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Junior Players are presenting “North Star,” a story about a young Black girl growing up during the Civil Rights Movement, in honor of Black History Month.

The performance focuses on resilience, family and stories that shape identity. The production uses a stripped-down approach on a small stage to emphasize the message the young actors deliver to audiences.

“I started to learn about my character and about the play and it was very impactful for me on a personal level,” said Nate Miligns, who plays Willie in “North Star.”

“North Star” retells the story of Relia, a young Black girl growing up during a time when finding your voice was rare and life was unfair to her family and other Black families during the Civil Rights Movement.

“He’s really passionate in his beliefs for freedom and free will. I think it’s kind of interesting that his mind is the fact that he thinks he isn’t heard,” Miligns said about his character Willie.

Co-director Sean Moton said working on the play demonstrates variety as the spice of life.

“I work with kids all day, so it’s nice to come and work with adults and kids who have a real passion for it, so it’s a joy,” Moton said.

Lewis said the play shows that every person has their own guiding star.

“The play itself is so impactful in itself. There’s such a great message that we’re trying to share about free will and our history, I’m so happy I got a chance to learn something from this character,” Sean said.

Lewis said he hopes audiences start seeing their light that can act as a guide, a light that heals, and a light that can change the world.

“North Star” will be performed Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Kroc Center. Tickets can be purchased here.

Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A Columbia County woman was sentenced to federal prison for using stolen and counterfeit business checks to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Dechanta Benning, 35, was sentenced to 70 months in prison, along with substantial financial penalties and five years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term, according to prosecutors.

U.S. District Court Judge Randall Hall also ordered Benning to pay a $2,500 fine and $300 in special assessments.

Benning obtained business checks stolen from the U.S. Postal Service, altered them, deposited the altered checks into the bank accounts of co-conspirators as well as her own accounts, then withdrew the money, according to prosecutors.

The money was withdrawn before the banks were able to recognize the checks as fraudulent.

Benning stole approximately $1 million through this scheme, according to prosecutors.

There were hundreds of victims.

“Financial fraud schemes like this don’t just impact banks — they devastate small businesses, families, and entire communities,” said Matthew Ploskunak of the FBI’s Augusta office.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the FBI.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting and defending the nation’s mail system from theft and aggressively pursuing those who would commit fraud in this district,” U.S. Attorney Margaret Heap said.

Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.