Augusta, GA

Inmate slain at Augusta prison; guard, 2 other inmates charged

Published

2 years ago

May 28, 2024

Inmate slain at Augusta prison; guard, 2 other inmates charged

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An inmate died Saturday in an altercation at the Augusta State Medical Prison, and a correctional officer as well as two other prisoners were charged.

The slain inmate, Roderick Hayes, 29, was serving a 10-year sentence for cruelty to children out of Fulton County, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections.

His body has been turned over to the county coroner and will be transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the official cause of death.

The death is being investigated by the Georgia Department of Corrections’ Office of Professional Standards, as is standard procedure. As a result, many details aren’t available because the investigation is ongoing.

The agency confirmed the arrest of former Officer Lloyd Hopkins, who was terminated Saturday after failing to follow policies and procedures while working at Augusta State Medical Prison, according to the agency.

According to Columbia County jail records, Hopkins, 51, is being held on charges of party to the crime of murder, party to the crime of aggravated assault and violation of an oath of office.

The agency said inmates Brendon Moore and Andy Ulysse have been charged with felony murder and aggravated assault.

Moore is serving time for crimes including rape, fleeing/eluding police, hijacking a motor vehicle, armed robbery, terroristic acts and threats, kidnapping and aggravated sodomy, according to prison records.

Ulysse is serving time for several crimes including kidnapping, armed robbery, false imprisonment and theft by taking, according to prison records.

From left: Lloyd Hopkins, Brendon Moore and Andy Ulysse(Contributed)

The Georgia Department of Corrections said in a statement:

“The GDC maintains a zero tolerance policy for individuals who choose to ignore their oath and jeopardize our non-negotiable mission of public safety. The actions of this individual does not reflect the hundreds of Officers who are committed each and every day to ensuring the safety of the public and the safe operations of our facilities.”

Inmate slayings aren’t unheard of at the prison. Among the deaths there:

Hayes’ records with the Georgia Department of Corrections show other offenses including sexual exploitation of a child, pimping a minor under 18, trafficking sexual servitude and burglary.

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Augusta, GA

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

Published

8 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – April is Autism Awareness Month, and one local group raised awareness with a walk in Augusta on Sunday.

The fourth annual autism walk was hosted by Moving Over Mountains Against autism at Lake Olmstead Park.

All proceeds from the walk support autism awareness initiatives.

We spoke with the CEO and founder of the group, Deidre Roberson, who said this year they are dedicating the walk to their photographer, who died recently.

Roberson told us what she looks forward to the most.

“I look most forward to seeing the different people every year. We always meet different people, new people, and they come from all over the CSRA, so Washington, Wilkes, Carolina,” she said.

There were also several vendors providing resources to families.

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Augusta, GA

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

Published

20 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Augusta University baseball is in a three-game series matchup against the University of North Georgia.

AU is currently down in the series 0-2 after a close loss Friday and a loss Saturday.

But we aren’t focusing on the Jags, we’re going to take a look at North Georgia’s head coach, Nolan Belcher.

He is an Augusta native who began his career at Greenbrier and Augusta Christian.

He won three state championships, which then led him to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

There he won back-to-back national championships and finished runner up in 2012.

His coaching career began after that where he eventually joined the Peach belt Confrence, coaching at USCA and GCSU.

Now in his first season as head coach for the Nighthawks, he is happy to come home and coach in front of his friends and family.

“I’m very fortunate that I got family that, one is still around and they can come watch me do what I love. And, they’ve shown me, nothing but support throughout my whole coaching career and even back on my playing dates are very thankful and appreciative for everything they’ve done for me.”

AU and UNG will have their final series match on Sunday.

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