Augusta, GA

Bond denied for deputy accused of inappropriate relationship with minor

Published

2 years ago

July 8, 2023

Bond denied for deputy accused of inappropriate relationship with minor

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Bond was denied Friday for a Richmond County deputy accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs Division received information that Deputy Christopher Masters was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a juvenile, according to deputies.

The Criminal Investigation Division began a separate investigation into the allegations.

During the bond hearing, the defense says he’s a good cop, well respected and many love him.

His entire family was in court. His 16-year-old son, his daughter, who is married with two kids, his wife, his brother, and his mother were there to support him.

Court announced that the victim’s father was in the room, but they didn’t identify him.

News 12 received his disciplinary reports.

On June 27, internal affairs received a complaint about possible inappropriate text messages between Masters and a 17-year-old.

The state said he was caught sending messages to the then 16-year-old while working in juvenile court. He allegedly asked for videos of the girl performing sexual pleasures, which he would respond he wanted more of.

They reviewed the text messages and found them to be inappropriate. Those messages began in May 2022 and continued through June 2023.

Masters acknowledged he did wrong, and the messages were bad. He resigned in lieu of termination, deputies said.

On March 29, 2021, internal affairs were called by a former female applicant. She said Masters comments to her made her withdraw from the hiring pool.

They reviewed the messages and found them to be inappropriate. Masters says that was not the intention, and the messages were misinterpreted.

In a separate complaint and during a formal interview on March 30, 2021, a female deputy jailer with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office came forward saying Masters engaged in a series of messages that were sexual in nature.

They reviewed the messages and found them to be inappropriate. The proposed action was termination, but instead, he was demoted to deputy, transferred to court service, and put on 12 months probation.

In February 2020, Masters was alleged to have engaged in a series of text messages with a deputy’s wife.

Those were also deemed to be inappropriate. The proposed action was two days without pay and completing a paper on supervisor responsibility. He received the proposed action and six months of supervisor rank.

Masters began his employment with the agency on July 14, 2007, and was assigned to the courthouse at the Augusta Judicial Center.

As a result of the investigation, it was determined that probable cause existed to charge Masters with sexual exploitation of children and violation of oath by a public officer, deputies said.

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Augusta, GA

North Augusta Baseball gets one last swing at Riverview Park

Published

52 minutes ago

January 16, 2025

Press Room

North Augusta Baseball gets one last swing at Riverview Park

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We’re just under two months away from baseball season and this year will be a bittersweet one for North Augusta’s baseball and softball teams.

While many players would much rather play at a brand-new facility, Riverview Park has been home to the Yellowjackets for a long time now.

After this season, however, North Augusta will finally have a new place to call home.

But, they will have one more chance to close out a phenomenal season before transitioning to the new stadium next year.

You’ve seen the construction and you can see the vision.

In just a few more months, across the street from North Augusta High School will be two brand-new facilities.

The newest home of the Yellowjackets baseball and softball teams.

“It’s a chance to have something that is ours,” said Lynn. “Our own atmosphere at school. It’s going to be exciting.”

The over $8 million project was slated to be completed ahead of this year’s season, but after multiple delays like the impact of Hurricane Helene and just how big of a project it truly is, the facilities are still several months from being ready for play.

In the event construction concludes as originally planned, Head Coach Kevin Lynn says the team has no plans to move fields in the middle of their 2025 season.

“I don’t want to have summer ball starting there, I want our kids to start a regular season there,” said Lynn. I want them to open the season up and have a true home opener.”

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) looks on during pre-game warm-ups before an...

The good news is, nothing about this year will feel different for the team.

The Yellowjackets have called Riverview Park home for over 40 years and they’ll get one more chance to send it out with a grand slam.”I grew up watching my brother play here and many people before him, so being able to play here one last time feels really good.”

“I’d like to go out on a high note and finish up strong here. Our goal is to win all of our games at home since we play here all the time and know the layout more than anybody else. It’d be nice to accomplish those goals in our last season.”

Lynn’s team will open up on the road against Strom Thurmond on Feb. 11.

The Yellowjackets are 40 and 40 under Lynn as head coach.

It’s hard to believe we’re almost to baseball season, before we know it we’ll be talking about the Masters.

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Augusta, GA

2 young males dead after boat overturns in Screven County

Published

9 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

2 young males dead after boat overturns in Screven County

SYLVANIA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Two young males are dead after their boat overturned while fishing, according to the Screven County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a press release, around 12:45 p.m. on Wednesday, emergency services received a call about a boat overturning in a pond off Poor Robin Road.

Upon arrival, deputies spoke with a young adult male who was located at the scene. The male reported he had been in a boat with two other young males fishing when their boat overturned.

The young male was treated for his injuries and released, according to officials.

Additional agencies arrived on the scene including the Screven County Marine Rescue Squadron and several local scuba divers.

“After an extensive 5-hour search, in 46-degree water, the bodies of the remaining two young males were located in the pond,” said Sheriff Norman Royal.

The investigation into the circumstances that led up to these deaths is still ongoing, but no foul play is suspected at this time, according to officials.

Screven County EMS, Screven County Fire, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Effingham County Fire and Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, also assisted in the response.

Sheriff Royal sends his thoughts and prayers to the families of these two young men and thanks all agencies that assisted and made their recovery possible.

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Augusta, GA

WATCH: Gun comes out during fight at Butler High, video shows

Published

17 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

WATCH: Gun comes out during fight at Butler High, video shows

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A weapon was seized by school administrators after the apparent gun fell to the floor during a fight between students Tuesday at Butler High School.

Parents were told of the incident in a letter.

“Two students engaged in a fight in a classroom today during a class,” the letter stated. “During the altercation, students saw a weapon drop to the floor.”

The Richmond County School System didn’t address what kind of weapon it was, but a video on Facebook showed what appeared to be a gun.

Administrators and Richmond County School System police responded immediately and secured the school for about 45 minutes while police investigated, parents were told.

The student was taken into custody and the incident was addressed following the Code of Student Conduct and Discipline.

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