Ex-deputy charged after complaint

A former longtime Dawson County Sheriff's deputy has been charged with sexual battery and false statements following a probe by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Mark Louis Caruana, 48, of Lumpkin County was booked Tuesday morning on the charges, which stem from alleged inappropriate sexual conduct while on duty.

Man was staying at closed fun center

Authorities are trying to determine just how long a theft suspect had been living at a former Dawsonville family fun park. Paul Henry Moran, 19, was arrested Friday night at Christ Fellowship Church after employees reported finding a door that leads to the adjacent family fun center propped open with a golf putter.

Ex-clerk pleads guilty

The state has resolved its criminal case against Dawson County's former clerk of courts, who pleaded guilty Friday to theft by taking and violation of oath of offices charges. In exchange for her negotiated plea, 62-year-old Becky McCord received a 10-year sentence, with four years to be served in custody and the remaining on probation.

Deputy fired after allegations surface

A veteran local sheriff's deputy has been terminated amid allegations he had inappropriate sexual conduct with a woman while on duty. According to Dawson County Sheriff's Lt. Col. John Cagle, former deputy Mark Caruana, 48, could face criminal charges in connection with the incident.

Ex-Dawson clerk gets 4 years added to prison term

Former Dawson County Clerk of Courts Becky McCord pleaded guilty Friday in Superior Court to theft by taking and violation of oath of office charges. In exchange for her negotiated plea, McCord, 62, received a 10-year sentence with four years to be served in custody and the remaining on probation.

Additional arrests made in local theft case

Local authorities have made two more arrests in connection with a string of thefts in Dawson and Forsyth counties last month. Nathan Seth Davis, 17, was taken into custody in Forsyth County on Sept. 28 on burglary, theft by taking and criminal trespass warrants. He is being held without bond at the Dawson County Law Enforcement Center.

Sex offender found at lodge

A convicted child molester wanted on a felony escape charge in Hall County was taken into custody Saturday in Dawsonville. Michael Keith Coker, 21, of Gainesville, reportedly did not return to the Hall County Detention Center from work release Friday.

Officials arrest 2 in theft case

Two suspects are in custody and two more are sought in connection with a string of thefts in Dawson and Forsyth counties. Dawson County Sheriff's Capt. Tony Wooten said the Sept. 21 arrest of Calvin Blackstone, 31, of Dawsonville for a probation violation led investigators to a home off Knight Road in north Forsyth.

Teen injured in wreck

A local teenager was flown to an Atlanta-area children's hospital after being trapped in a crushed pickup truck for nearly two hours Monday night. According to authorities, the 13-year-old girl was a passenger in a Ford F-150 that struck a power pole near Harmony Church Road and Ga. 400 just after 11 p.m.

Judge rejects plea deal

Former Dawson County Clerk of Courts Becky McCord will be back in Superior Court next month after a judge rejected her guilty plea on theft by taking and violation of oath of office charges. Northeastern Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Kathlene Gosselin did not publicly say Friday why she refused to accept the plea, which had been negotiated and approved by both the state and McCord's attorneys.

Judge rejects ex-clerk’s guilty plea

Former Dawson County Clerk of Courts Becky McCord will be back in Superior Court next month after a judge on Friday rejected her guilty plea on theft by taking and violation of oath of office charges. Northeastern Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Kathlene Gosselin did not publicly say why she refused to accept the plea, which had been negotiated and approved by both the state and McCord's attorneys.

Man pleads guilty to local charges

A local man awaiting trial on vehicular homicide charges in Lumpkin County has pleaded guilty to separate felony charges in Dawson County. Appearing Sept. 7 before Superior Court Judge Andrew Fuller, Jeremy Todd Adams admitted his role in a February case in which he was charged with false imprisonment, interfering with a 911 call, simple battery and criminal trespass.

Clerk of courts theft case nears end

The sentencing hearing for former Dawson County Clerk of Courts Becky McCord is scheduled for today in federal court in Gainesville. McCord, 64, pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion and bankruptcy fraud charges in June.

Authorities discover alleged grow houses

For the second time in less than a week, investigators shut down a suspected indoor marijuana-growing operation in western Dawson County. Dawson County Sheriff's Capt. Tony Wooten said the two busts, which resulted in three arrests, were unrelated.

Man shot in alleged drug theft

A 42-year-old Dawsonville man was arrested Monday after he reportedly shot an intruder who authorities say was attempting to take marijuana plants from his property early Sunday. Dawson County Sheriff's Capt. Tony Wooten said Darius Marcel Ciupeiu faces felony drug charges as well as a litany of other charges.

Family disputes state patrol reports

Family members of the teen who died last week in what has been dubbed a "car surfing" accident are convinced the police report is inaccurate.

Man charged with child molestation

A Dawsonville man arrested last week is accused of sexually abusing two girls.

Ex-bank manager charged in theft

Man charged in attempted arson

A Dawsonville man was arrested Monday morning after he reportedly attempted to set fire to his home on Duck Thurmond Road last week.

Tax official resigns after drug arrest

Dawson County's chief tax appraiser has resigned following his arrest last week on misdemeanor drug charges.

Chief tax appraiser facing drug charges

Dawson County's Chief Tax Appraiser was arrested at his office Tuesday afternoon on misdemeanor drug charges.

Hilton gets life for murders of N.C. couple

Convicted serial killer Gary Michael Hilton received four more life sentences last week for the kidnapping and slaying of an elderly couple in North Carolina.