Superior Court grand jury indicts 19
By Elizabeth Billips Associate Editor

The Superior Court grand jury indicted 19 defendants during its April term, including a Waynesboro man accused of raping his teenage niece.

Rayshawn Demone Holmes, 26, was arrested in March for allegedly raping the 17-year-old when she dropped by his apartment to give him a ride to work. The victim told police she ran out of the apartment and was picked up and taken to school by an unknown woman. When the victim arrived at school, Holmes was reportedly parked in the high school traffic circle. He accompanied her to the office and told school employees her tardiness was due to car trouble.

Burke County High School officials called officers after the victim reported the alleged rape to a faculty member.

The grand jury indicted Holmes for rape and for possession of marijuana, which officers found when they searched his apartment.

While 19 true bills were returned, the grand jury returned just one "no bill," which normally indicates insufficient evidence. As a result, Lorenzo R. Lambert was cleared of a theft by taking charge dating back to February.

True bills were returned on:

+ Joshua Jerel Bates: aggravated assault (two counts), burglary and cruelty to children in the third degree (three counts).

+ Anthony Lamar Brown: burglary, theft by receiving stolen property, obstruction of a law enforcement officer and false report of a crime;

+ Lavonta Bynes: theft by taking;

+ Alfrenesia Lateka Devine: criminal damage to property in the second degree;

+ Andrew Joe Farmer: obstruction of a law enforcement officer (three counts), simple battery, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct;

+ Ashley Bernette Gibson: financial transaction card fraud (three counts);

+ Jacqueline Shaunetta Jones: financial transaction card fraud (three counts);

+ Marilyn Laqueshia Jones: financial transaction card fraud (three counts);

+ Kendra Denise Ward: financial transaction card fraud (three counts);

+ Yolanda Denise Jackson: theft by receiving stolen property;

+ George Lovette: possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and violation of the Georgia Seatbelt Law;

+ Daniel Anthony Miles: burglary and theft by receiving stolen property;

+ Crystal April Babb Myers: possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute;

+ Jack Woodrow Myers: possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute;

+ Joseph Paul Petrea: obstruction of a law enforcement officer;

+ Joshua Lee Phillips: interference with government property; and

+ Norris Raynard Washington: entering an automobile with intent to commit a theft and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.