By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Man arrested in Newton County and charged in Milledgeville teen's murder
0705 CovNews Murder suspect
Dequanis Parks - photo by Special to The Covington News

A Baldwin County man was arrested in Newton County early today, June 30, and charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a teen in Milledgeville 10 days earlier.

The U.S. Marshal Service’s Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Dequanis Parks this morning without incident at a relative’s home in Newton County, according to a news release from the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office in Milledgeville. 

He was charged with murder and two counts of aggravated assault following the June 20 shooting death of 16-year-old Cuatez Jones at a Milledgeville apartment complex, according to Capt. Brad King of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.

Parks was being held in the Baldwin County jail without bond, according to the release.

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office assisted with securing evidence related to the case, King stated in a news release.

“Detectives with the Covington Police Department have worked closely with our investigators and provided much needed information throughout this investigation,” the release stated.

King told The Covington News that Parks is originally from Baldwin County and traveled to Milledgeville June 20. He was there less than an hour before traveling to Newton County the same day, King said.

Baldwin County deputies found Jones shot multiple times and he was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 4:30 p.m. on June 20, according to a report from the Milledgeville Union-Recorder newspaper.

The shooting took place in a path that runs near the apartment complex, the newspaper reported.

Investigators speculated the incident may have been related to a drug theft but are still probing the incident, King said.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Detective Robert Butch of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office at 478-445-4893.
Newton County listed in Winter Storm Watch
Weather Alert.png

UPDATE #4: Snow is now expected in Newton County. See the original story for details.

UPDATE #3: The city of Covington, Porterdale and Oxford offices are all closed tomorrow.

UPDATE #2: Newton County Government has closed its offices tomorrow due to the potential of a winter storm.

UPDATE: Newton County Schools has closed schools for tomorrow due to inclement weather.

ORIGINAL STORY

The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting significant winter weather, including snow, sleet and freezing rain to affect parts of Georgia this weekend. 

Newton County can expect to be grazed by the southernmost edge of the storm. The storm is anticipated to bring snowfall across the county beginning around 8 a.m. Friday and continuing throughout the day. Sleet and freezing rain are also likely to be mixed in as the temperature rises in the afternoon. The temperature will remain low throughout the weekend, raising concerns about ice along roads. Newton County began salting the roads on Thursday in preparation.

As of Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Channel forecasts below-freezing temperatures to begin for Covington at 8 p.m. on Thursday and stay below freezing until 4 p.m. on Friday. Friday’s predicted temperatures are a high of 34 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 30, with Saturday forecasted for a high of 39 and a low of 19. Sunday is expected to heat up to 46 degrees.

“The greatest risk for ice accumulations of at least 0.10” (1/10 inch) is along the I-85/I-20 corridors,” the NWS said in its Wednesday morning release. “A more significant freezing rain event may be possible if early snow turns to rain faster than anticipated.”

According to the Newton County Government’s official Facebook page, officials from the county government, Newton County Fire Services, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the city of Porterdale, the city of Oxford, the city of Covington and the Emergency Management Agency met Wednesday to discuss storm preparations. 

Officials from the city of Covington’s Public Safety, Public Works and Utility Departments met separately to prepare. Public Works is pre-treating the roads ahead of expected icy conditions but advises that residents stay home and avoid driving on Friday and Saturday to ensure safety.

This is an ongoing story. Check back to www.covnews.com for more updates.