By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Middle schooler arrested for making threats on school bus
Crime - LOCAL
Evan Newton
Updated: Sep 17, 2024, 11:31 PM
Published: Sep 17, 2024, 11:29 PM

NEWTON COUNTY – Yet another student has been arrested for making terroristic threats.

This time, a 13-year-old from Liberty Middle School was taken into custody by the Juvenile Court System on Sept. 17, according to a news release from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO). The arrest is a follow-up into an investigation by the NCSO after the threats were reportedly made on a school bus the day prior.

The student faces charges of terroristic threats and acts.

This is just the latest arrest in what has been somewhat of a trend across students in Newton County Schools, with this arrest marking the second made on Sept. 17. Previous arrests include:

  • Sept. 5: Deputies arrest a 13-year-old Eastside High School student on terroristic threats and acts charges for making verbal threats.

  • Sept. 6: Deputies arrest a 12-year-old at Clements Middle School on terroristic threats and acts charges for making verbal threats.

  • Sept. 10: Deputies arrest a 11-year-old Newton County STEAM Academy student for making terroristic threats.

  • Sept. 13: Deputies arrest “multiple students” for making threats. A specific number has not been released.

  • Sept. 16: Deputies arrest a 12-year-old Indian Creek Middle School student for making electronic threats to a school in Florida

  • Sept. 17: Deputies arrest a 13-year-old Cousins Middle School student for bringing a gun to school the previous day.

“Sheriff Ezell Brown emphasizes that any threats or acts of violence will be taken seriously and those responsible will be held accountable,” read an NCSO news release. “He urges all students and parents to recognize that any threats directed at the Newton County School System, or any school system, will be taken seriously.”

Newton County Schools is expected to address the recent arrests as well as future concerns at a safety forum on Sept. 18. The forum will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. at Newton College and Career Academy at 144 Ram Drive.
Newton County jury finds Covington man guilty of felony murder
Shane Robinson
Shane Robinson - photo by Courtesy of the Newton County Sheriff's Office
Kate Verity
Published: Mar 31, 2025, 9:15 PM

NEWTON COUNTY – On Monday afternoon, 30-year-old Shane Alexander Robinson of Covington was found guilty of killing Charles Edward Stanley III over three years ago.

The Newton County District Attorney’s Office released that a jury deemed that Robinson was guilty on three charges: Felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

On March 5, 2022, sometime between 11 p.m. and midnight, Robinson shot an AR-style firearm at a vehicle that Stanley was driving along Harvey Wood Drive. According to the District Attorney’s release, Robinson fired the weapon 13 times into the vehicle, killing Stanley.

According to a previous report by The Covington News, an arrest warrant stated that Robinson “grabbed his AR-15 (rifle) and drove” from his home to Harvey Wood Drive to “scare” Stanley.

“When Charles was backing up, Shane admitted to firing several rounds at the vehicle,” the 2022 warrant stated. “Furthermore, Shane also initially stated that he fired rounds at the vehicle as it was driving away.”

Robinson initially faced charges of murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, unauthorized discharge of firearms within 50 yards of the public highway, and reckless conduct. It is not clear if some of these charges were dismissed.

Sentencing is set for a later date, which has not been announced. A co-defendant’s case is still pending.