Augusta, GA
Augusta man sentenced for trafficking heroin, possessing a firearm
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A Richmond County man has been sentenced to nearly 15 years in prison after his conviction on drug trafficking and gun possession charges.
Kelvin Laron Howard, 68, was sentenced after a U.S. District Court jury convicted him on charges of possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall fined Howard $2,500 and ordered him to serve three years of supervised release after his prison term.
“Kelvin Howard was identified as a significant distributor of illegal drugs in the Augusta area, and held to account through a jury trial,” said Steinberg. “His sentence demonstrates there is no tolerance for armed drug dealers in our community.”
A U.S. District Court jury convicted Howard on all charges in December 2023.
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office identified Howard as a heroin distributor in the Augusta area. Investigators found enough heroin for more than 700 individual doses, drug scales and packaging materials, nearly $1,000 and a loaded pistol, according to the news release.
“The arrest and subsequent conviction of Kelvin Howard by way of a jury trial is an example of the community’s support we have in Richmond County,” said Sheriff Richard Roundtree. “Mr. Howard was not only identified as participating in illegal drug activity, but he was also found to have a firearm in his possession as a convicted felon. His conviction has the potential to save lives by having one less illegal firearm on the streets and illegal drugs in our community.”
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Deputies respond to alleged double murder-suicide in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Richmond County Coroner’s Office responded to the 600 block of Bennock Mill Road at 1:04 p.m. Sunday in reference to 3 deaths, which appears to be a double murder-suicide.
Upon arrival, three bodies were located inside the residence, officials say.
The sheriff’s office said initial investigations indicate the incident is a double murder and suicide among family members.
The Richmond County criminal investigations division and crime scene unit also responded to the residence.
Autopsies have been scheduled, and no further information is available at this time.
Officials say there is no danger to the public.
This would mark the CSRA’s fourth murder-suicide in 2025.
On April 8, officials said they found a married couple dead in their home on Springwood Drive; both had gunshot wounds.
On March 28, authorities say 71-year-old Keith Jones shot his girlfriend, 67-year-old Kathy Hydrick, and then turned the gun on himself at their home on Walnut Court.
On April 4, the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office announced that a deadly shooting at Valley Proteins Inc. was confirmed as a murder-suicide.
Deputies responded to the facility in Ward shortly before 6 p.m. Monday, where they discovered 44-year-old Willie Hopkins Jr. and 52-year-old Kimberly Leon dead.
The autopsy verified that Leon was shot multiple times by Hopkins before he turned the gun on himself.
While each story is different, and we don’t know the circumstances surrounding this most recent case, there are local groups working to teach others about the warning signs.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Gwinnett County murder suspect dead after police pursuit in Columbia County, deputies say
AUGUSTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First/WRDW) – A Gwinnett County murder suspect is reportedly dead after a police chase near Augusta, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies said the chase happened on I-20 eastbound near Jimmie Dyess Parkway near mile marker 193.
Deputies conducted a PIT maneuver on the suspect’s vehicle. The suspect, who has not been identified, then died by suicide, according to the sheriff’s office.
The Columbia County Coroner’s office says it was called to the scene around 8:45 p.m.
This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.
Copyright 2025 WANF. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Murder suspect dead after police pursuit on I-20 in Columbia County
GROVETOWN, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A murder suspect is dead after a police pursuit on I-20 in Columbia County that shut down traffic for hours.
Traffic was blocked on I-20 eastbound near Jimmie Dyess Parkway by mile marker 194 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office tells us the incident involved a Gwinnett County murder suspect.
Deputies say they conducted a PIT maneuver on the suspect, who then committed suicide, according to the sheriff’s office.
The male suspect was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:21 p.m., and an autopsy has been scheduled, according to the Columbia County Coroner’s office.

The car ended up in a ditch, and officials worked through the evening to get the car out.
Georgia State Patrol also responded to the scene and is assisting with the investigation.
This isn’t the first time this year that Columbia County deputies have pursued a potentially dangerous suspect. Back in April, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Brandon Sikes was killed in the line of duty during a shooting on I-20 near Belair Road.
An encounter with an RV driver claimed the life of Deputy Sikes and seriously injured Deputy Gavin White.
There are no other reported injuries in Friday’s incident.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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