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NCSO following every lead on escaped prisoners
Untitled-1
Jackie Gutknecht
Updated: Jun 15, 2017, 5:33 PM
Published: Jun 15, 2017, 5:40 PM

UPDATE: Two escaped inmates captured in Tennessee after manhunt in slayings of two Georgia prison guards.

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GEORGIA - Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown said the Newton County Sheriff’s Office is following every lead it gets regarding the ongoing manhunt of the two escaped Georgia Department of Corrections (DOC)inmates.

The manhunt, which was initiated in Putnam County after Donnie Russell Rowe, 43, and Ricky Dubose, 24, escaped their prison transport bus early Tuesday morning, killing two DOC officers in the process.

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said since the escape, the prisoners have had the time to make it “halfway across the United States.” He said his department, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the DOC are working with agencies throughout the country to make sure the criminals are found.

“We’re following every possible lead, looking for vehicles that match the description, we’re really exhausting every particular isolated area within the county,” Brown said.

Brown said the NCSO has followed up on tips within the county, but nothing has played out at this point.

If you spot the escapees, Brown said, call 911 immediately.

“I would ask that the citizens do not approach these individuals and allow law enforcement to carry out their fundamental duties,” he said.

“If (the escapees) should read The Covington News, my advice would be, ‘Do not show up in Covington, Georgia, Newton County,” Brown said. 

Sills said there is currently a $130,000 reward being offered for any information leading to the arrest of the two prisoners. Information can be left on the tip line by calling 877-WANTED2 (877-926-8332).
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.