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tigated the incident, which occurred at the Vidalia Village Apartments, located at 410 Randolph Drive, at approximately 11:40 a.m. on December 12, 2024. On this date, dispatchers received reports of an individual suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. When they arrived, Vidalia police officers found Timothy Byrd, 31, of Vidalia, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds; Byrd was quickly transported to Memorial Health Meadows Hospital by EMS for treatment, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

Ja’meak Rashod Byrd was later identified as the sole suspect of the shooting and was taken into custody on December 31, 2024.

Now that he has been indicted, Byrd will enter a formal plea to the court to determine his next steps in the judicial system.

Obstruction of U.S. Marshals Stephen Howard Gilbert, Sr., was indicted on two counts of obstruction of an officer and one count of possession of marijuana for attempting to fight two U.S. Marshals during his arrest.

On December 14, 2023, Gilbert threatened to use a knife to harm two U.S. Marshals, who were assisting the Lyons Police Department to arrest him for possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, which was discovered to be methamphetamine. Gilbert will enter a formal plea of guilty or not guilty to the court to determine whether he moves on to sentencing or to a trial.

Trafficking in Meth

Two individuals were indicted on charges of trafficking in methamphetamine, and will now enter pleas to the court. Auther Eugene Williams was indicted on charges of trafficking in methamphetamine, fleeing/ attempting to elude police officers, possession of cocaine, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a first offender probationer. Williams was arrested on July 11, 2024, after fleeing from a Toombs County Sheriff’s deputy, and was found to be in possession of illegal drugs, including more than 28 grams of methamphetamine.

Charity Ann Miles was indicted on charges of trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. She was also arrested on July 11, 2024, and was found to be in possession of more than 28 grams of methamphetamine.

Williams and Miles’s formal pleas will determine whether they move on to a trial or sentencing hearing.

Theft by Conversion

Former AllCare Pharmacy and Healthcare Services Employee Jamie Stapleton was indicted on two counts of theft by conversion for stealing money from the business over two years.

Between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020, Stapleton allegedly stole over $50,000 from the company by manipulating the business’s QuickBooks to falsely reconcile bank statements. According to law enforcement officials, Stapleton was the only individual to have the authority to make these changes in the QuickBooks. These thefts were discovered during an internal financial review on May 15, 2023.

Stapleton will now enter a formal plea to the court to determine her next steps in the judicial process. Inappropriate Sexual Contact Former Toombs County High School Agriculture Teacher Chasity Cheyenne Knight was indicted on one count of sexual contact by an employee or agent in the first degree.

Knight was arrested by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation on August 27, 2024, after the GBI investigated allegations of an inappropriate relationship between the teacher and a student.

According to the GBI, investigators were asked by the Toombs County Sheriff’s Office to probe the case on August 19, after deputies learned of possible sexual abuse by a teacher with students in the district. During the investigation, authorities found evidence indicating that Knight had a sexual relationship with a student while she was still employed at the school.

Knight was arrested on one count of improper sexual contact by employee, agent, or foster parent, consent not a defense. She was booked into the Toombs County Detention Center, and later released on a $2,500 cash bond.

She will now enter a plea of guilty or not guilty to the court to determine whether she will move on to trial or a sentencing hearing.

Moss Curtain Motors Theft Four individuals were indicted and charged with theft by taking and burglary in the second degree for a theft that occurred at Moss Curtain Motors in September 2024.

Between September 28, 2024, and September 29, 2024, Joshua Denmark, Isiah James Dixon, Timothy Ethan Johnson, and Donte Devon Tolbert reportedly broke into the Moss Curtain Motors car lot, located at 400 North Street East in Vidalia, and stole a 2018 Dodge Challenger and 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The men also allegedly broke into the dealership’s office.

These men will now enter a formal plea to the court to determine their next steps in the judicial process. Fleeing/Eluding Police Officers Jimmy Christopher Lumley was indicted on charges of fleeing/attempting to elude police officers, failure to stop at a stop sign, speeding, and reckless driving for the chase that he took Toombs County Sheriff’s deputies on.

On April 21, 2025, Lumley reportedly fled from deputies on his motorcycle after law enforcement attempted to pull him over for a traffic infraction. Lumley drove over 100 miles per hour along U.S. Highway 56 running from deputies and driving recklessly in the process.

Lumley will now enter a plea of guilty or not guilty to the court to determine whether he will move on to trial or a sentencing hearing.

Other Indictments

Other individuals indicted were Tyler Anthony – aggravated assault (three counts) and Shaunteia Cierra May – terroristic threats and battery.

The Toombs County Grand Jury will reconvene on June 29 to review several cases and return either true bills or no bills of indictment.