December 7, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
A man caught on camera breaking windows out of a church building on Old Snow Hill Road has been arrested and charged in the case.
38-year-old Matthew Griffith of Snow Hill Road, Dowelltown will appear in General Sessions Court December 14 on charges of aggravated criminal trespassing, desecration of a venerated object, and vandalism. His total bond is $30,000.
According to Chief Deputy Brian Williams of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, on November 25 at 2:23 a.m. Griffith went onto the property of 1563 Old Snow Hill Road and was observed on camera breaking three windows out of a church resulting in approximately $3,000 in damage.
38-year-old Melinda Beth Murphy of Page Drive Smithville is charged with aggravated burglary and vandalism. Her bond is $25,000 and she will make a court appearance on December 14.
Chief Deputy Williams said that on November 23 Murphy allegedly threw a cinder block through a window in order to break into a residence on Page Drive.
42-year-old Jeremie Donald Johnson of Alexandria to Dismal Road, Liberty is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court December 14.
Chief Deputy Williams said that on November 25 a deputy was summoned to Brush Creek Highway due to a possible motor vehicle accident and upon arrival the officer spotted Johnson walking across the road from New Hope Road. The deputy stopped and spoke to Johnson and observed that Johnson’s eyes were red and glassy and that his speech was slow. Johnson also had an odor of alcohol on him. For his safety and that of the public, Johnson was placed under arrest for public intoxication.