Georgia mayor and two others jailed for trying to halt local election
Share this @internewscast.com

CAMILLA, Ga. — The mayor of Camilla, Ga., along with two former election officials, has been incarcerated on felony charges linked to attempts last November to stop a local election after Venterra Pollard, an ally of the mayor, was disqualified from a city council race.

On Friday, Mayor Kelvin Owens was detained at the Mitchell County jail, two days after a grand jury charged him with a felony for election interference and a misdemeanor for conspiring to commit election fraud.

Camilla, a farming community of about 5,000 people, is about 225 miles from Savannah.

The city’s previous elections superintendent and her former deputy superintendent were also taken into custody. Rhunette Williford and Cheryl Ford faced the same charges as the mayor, in addition to misdemeanor allegations of neglecting their responsibilities as public officers.

Mayor Owens had blamed the local upheaval on racial politics, saying that Pollard, who is Black, was targeted by white residents trying to wrest power from the majority Black population. The city of Camilla is nearly three-fourths Black.

All three defendants remained in jail awaiting a hearing Monday. District Attorney Joe Mulholland, whose circuit includes Camilla, declined to comment on the indictment Friday.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Rep. Greene Advocates for Legislation to Ban ‘Weather Modification’ Practices

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said Saturday she plans to introduce a…

Ozzy Osbourne bids goodbye to live concerts with a final show for 40,000 fans in his hometown

LONDON – Rock legends and around 40,000 fans came together for a…

DUI Arrest and Two Hospitalized After Multi-Vehicle Crash in Savoy

SAVOY, Ill. (WCIA) — On the Fourth of July, a driver was…

Uncertain Future for Trans Athletes as Penn Reaches Agreement with Trump Administration

The University of Pennsylvania’s decision this week to sign an agreement with the…

Heavy Sheriff Department Presence at Orange County Apartment Complex

Law enforcement response to the Baldwin Apartments in Orange County. (Photo by…

dispute Over Jimmy Buffett’s Estate Highlights Widow’s Inheritance as a Warning Tale

(The Conversation) – Lawyers frequently advise clients that it is crucial for…

Several Fatalities Reported in Texas Floods; Campers Still Missing

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…

Paxton’s 41st Annual Traditional Fourth of July Celebration

More than 700 attendees gathered at Pells Park in Paxton to celebrate…

Tropical Storm Chantal Expected to Drench the Carolinas with Heavy Rain

Tropical Storm Chantal has developed off the southeastern coast of the U.S.…

Storm Team 3: Monitoring Chantal & Local Effects Expected

Passing showers will continue tonight into Sunday. Winds will remain breezy, but…

Explosive Fireworks and Delicious Baked Potatoes at Kingsport’s Red, White, and Boom Festival

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — Kingsport hosted its annual Red, White and Boom…

Hampton resident facing charges for sharing child pornography accepts plea agreement

A man from Hampton, Carter County, Tennessee, who faced accusations of uploading…