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

Columbia County Arrest Sparks Urgent Action Against Human Sex Trafficking in the CSRA

AUGUSTA, Ga. – An Augusta woman finds herself behind bars following serious…

Unveiling the Mystery: Potential Destinations for the Stolen Louvre Jewels

NEW YORK (AP) — As the world reels from a daring heist…

Arrest Linked to Missing Rankin Man Case Following Discovery of Possible Human Remains

In a chilling turn of events more than a year after his…

Calvary Day Baseball Team Celebrates State Championship Victory with New Rings

In a moment of triumph and celebration, the Calvary Day baseball team…

Tune In at 9:30 p.m.: Florida’s Coast Set for Spectacular SpaceX Rocket Launch

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – On Wednesday, SpaceX is set to embark on…

Tampa City Council Set to Decide on Crucial ‘Early Works’ Phase for SoHo Flood Mitigation Project

In Tampa, Florida, the City Council is poised to decide on a…

Tragic Training Accident Claims Life of Washington Co.-Johnson City EMS Member

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Washington County-Johnson City EMS is grieving…

Beaufort Launches Major $6.9 Million Stormwater Initiative to Protect Waterfront

The city of Beaufort, South Carolina, has commenced construction work along the…

Chicago Mayor Unveils Innovative Tax Proposal Targeting Social Media Companies

CHICAGO (WGN) In an effort to address the city’s significant $1.2 billion…

U.S. Intercepts Two Additional Suspected Drug Vessels in Pacific Ocean Operation

The U.S. military expanded its crackdown on drug trafficking in South America…

U.S. Defense Department Targets and Destroys Alleged Narco Vessel in Pacific Operation

On Wednesday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth revealed that the department executed…

Individual Apprehended on Multiple Allegations, Including Drug Trafficking and Animal Cruelty

In a sweeping multi-agency operation, authorities in Hampton County, South Carolina, have…