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Former federal employee pleads guilty to mishandling classified materials

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Former federal employee pleads guilty to mishandling classified materials


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A former employee of a U.S. Department of Defense component agency pleaded guilty to mishandling sensitive documents and faces up to five years in federal prison.

Margaret Anne Ashby, 26, of Nevada, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to an information charging her with unauthorized removal/retention of classified documents, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

The guilty plea subjects Ashby to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison, substantial financial penalties, and up to three years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

“Maintaining confidentiality of sensitive government documents is essential to protecting our citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Those granted the privilege of working with such material are well aware of the rules regarding the safekeeping of these documents, and also are aware of the consequences for failing to comply with those rules.”

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As described in the plea agreement, starting in March 2020, Ashby was a civilian employee of a Department of Defense component agency located in the Southern District of Georgia, and during this time held a Top Secret security clearance as required for her employment.

From Left: 22-year-old Savion Walker and 42-year-old Montrako Bradley

From February 2022 to May 2022, Ashby, without authority, knowingly removed documents and materials containing classified information “concerning the national defense or foreign relations of the United States . . . with the intent to retain them at unauthorized locations, including her residence in the Southern District of Georgia and in digital files saved via a personal computing device located in the Southern District of Georgia.”

U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall will schedule a sentencing hearing for Ashby upon completion of a pre-sentence investigation by U.S. Probation Services.

“When people violate the trust given to them to safeguard our nation’s intelligence, they put our country at risk,” said FBI Atlanta Assistant Agent in Charge Brian Ozden. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will seek to hold accountable those who knowingly and willfully mishandle classified information.”

The case was investigated by the FBI, and prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys L. Alexander Hamner and Darron J. Hubbard, and Trial Attorney David J. Ryan with the U.S. Department of Justice Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

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Augusta, GA

First Alert Forecast l Drying out and warming up for the week ahead

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First Alert Forecast l Drying out and warming up for the week ahead


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Dry weather returns to the CSRA for the week ahead with temperatures warming up each day.

After a foggy start Sunday, we should see at least a few breaks in the clouds with highs near average in the upper 50s to lower 60s. Winds will be light from the southeast.

Sunday night looks partly cloudy and cool with overnight lows near 40 degrees. Wind will be calm.

Monday will be a partly sunny and mild day with highs in the middle 60s. Wind will be southwest at 2 to 6 mph.

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Tuesday through Thursday…Partly sunny each day and partly cloudy night. Highs will be near 70 Tuesday, warming into the lower to middle 70s Wednesday and Thursday.

Clouds increase a bit Friday, and there could be a shower or two late in the day. Highs Friday will be in the lower to middle 70s.

Keep a close eye on the forecast if you have outdoor plans next weekend, because a frontal system moves in with a decent chance of rain Friday night into Saturday. Highs will be a touch cooler Saturday in the middle 60s.

Above average temperatures likely for the next 2 weeks.(WRDW)

Keep it here for regular updates and be sure to Download the WRDW First Alert Weather App to have the latest information in the palm of your hand whenever and wherever you need it.

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Augusta, GA

Downtown Augusta businesses look forward to new year

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Downtown Augusta businesses look forward to new year


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Businesses downtown are reflecting on the past and setting new goals as the new year has arrived.

2025 was a busy year for many businesses on Broad Street, as they had to contend with construction, as well as a new sheriff seeking to make the streets safer.

Art on Broad spoke about what they’re looking forward to this year.

“We are just looking forward to putting all of the madness of the holidays behind us and continuing to see our everyday regular patrons, and then the new customers that come in, because they’re here for a convention or maybe they’re passing through on a road trip. And I feel confident that we’ll continue to see good business throughout the year,” said Catherine Alexander, business manager for Art on Broad.

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Coming up at News 12 at 11 p.m., we’ll talk to more businesses about what they are looking forward to in the new year, as well as what worked for them in 2025.



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Suspect arreested in pair of separate Augusta shootings

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Suspect arreested in pair of separate Augusta shootings


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A 28-year-old man wanted in connection to two separate shootings this month has been arrested.

One of the shootings occurred on Dec. 26 and the other on Dec. 4, officials say.

The suspect, identified as Dennis Berrien, was already wanted for aggravated assault in connection with the shooting on Dec. 4 and is now also charged in the Dec. 26 incident, after which he was arrested.

On Dec. 4, deputies received reports that Berrien had been involved in an argument with his girlfriend, according to the sheriff’s office.

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During the altercation, Berrien reportedly fired at least three shots in her direction before fleeing the scene. He left behind a damaged vehicle belonging to his girlfriend’s grandmother, deputies say.

On Dec. 26, investigators determined Berrien shot another person, critically injuring him, near the 2300 block of Winston Way, according to authorities.

Deputies and investigators say they quickly established a perimeter and began the initial investigation. Witnesses described the suspect, and with the help of K9 units, drones and surveillance cameras of nearby businesses, they were able to track Berrien.

Deputies located Berrien at the AM PM gas station as he exited the restroom, wearing clothing consistent with the witness description.

During the encounter, Berrien provided a false name and date of birth to an investigator, after which a corporal used a fingerprint scanner, which confirmed Berrien’s true identity, officials say. He was taken into custody without incident.

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In the previous year to date of Dec. 26, the sheriff’s office reports 176 aggravated assaults with a gun compared to 269 at this time last year, a 35% decrease.

Additionally, the sheriff’s office reports 32 homicides this year compared to 49 last year to date, also a 35% decrease.

They say having more boots on the ground, combined with high visibility and technology, has been a huge asset in the past year.

“This arrest highlights the strength of our coordinated response and the professionalism of our deputies. From patrol to investigators, K9 handlers, and the use of technology like drones and fingerprint scanners, our team worked seamlessly to take a dangerous individual into custody without further harm to the public,” Sheriff Eugene Brantley said.

Berrien is currently in custody and faces two aggravated assault, criminal trespass, and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a crime charges. There may be more charges as the investigations continue.

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