Holy Nation Church Has Court Hearing
By SUSAN JACOBS
In Jasper Superior Court Tuesday Judge Terry Massey allowed the current leadership of Holy Nation Church and those in conflict with that leadership 48 hours to resolve their issues before he issues a temporary order within the next few days with the parties to reappear in court on May 27, 2025.
Court action began following an incident that occurred at the church in September 2024 when law enforcement was called by current minister Eddie Standifer to establish some order when some Braswell family members appeared to “read a letter.”
Attorney Martin Fierman, representing five plaintiffs of the Braswell Family, including Gwen Davis and Connie Braswell who appeared in court, opened the hearing by explaining that the church was founded in 1986 by Rosa Mae Braswell. At that time rules of the church were formed by official votes of the church leadership. Mrs. Braswell died in 2003 and one of her daughters, Patricia Braswell Standifer, took over as the pastor but she died in August 2024.
Mr. Fierman said that after Mrs. Standifer died her husband Eddie and brother-in-law Harold Dumas took over the church by insertion, not a vote of the church. A letter from some of the children and grandchildren of Rosa Braswell was sent to Mr. Standifer after Patricia’s death asking to be heard at a September 2024 church service. Legal and judicial proceedings have ensued from actions that occurred on that day, which the judge was allowed to partially view from video evidence submitted.
Mr. Fierman said that his clients were not allowed to visit the family gravesite located at the church grounds or attend services there by the new church leadership.
Attorney Trichelle Simmons, attorney for Mr. Standifer and Dumas, said that the plaintiffs were disruptive when entering the church building on that day and were not showing “good faith.”
Judge Massey questioned how the church is governed and what determines disruptive. He was provided a copy of the church’s by-laws and after a brief review noted that the document was not signed or dated by anyone and doesn’t state who can or can’t attend the church.
“I realize it’s private property but what authority do you have to disallow attendance,” questioned Judge Massey.
“I don’t own the church, no one owns the church but we need order,” said Mr. Standifer.
property but what authority do you have to disallow attendance?” questioned Judge Massey.
“I don’t own the church, no one owns the church but we need order,” said Mr. Standifer.
After the lunch break, Judge Massey asked the parties involved to adjourn to private chambers to try to resolve the issues before making a ruling that either party may not like.
During the criminal court session, many of the cases were continued as most of the defendants were in custody and several others were arraigned.
Sentences from last week’s criminal session included:
•Corey S. James—sentenced to 15 years with the first four to be served in confinement for possession of a schedule II controlled substance, tampering with evidence, obstruction of an officer, and possession of marijuana. Credit with time served since October 2023 and Fined $3,000.
•Dewayne L. Carter— sentenced to 10 years with the first month in Jasper County jail for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, tampering with evidence, and fleeing or attempting to elude police officer. Credit for time served and fined $2,000.
•Colt L. Chandler—sentenced to 10 years of probation for possession of marijuana and fined $2,000. Possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a schedule II and schedule IV controlled substances were nolle prossed.
•Andrew S. Davis—sentenced to five years of probation for possession of methamphetamine and obstruction of an officer and fined $2,500. A count of possession of marijuana was nolle prossed.
•Jessica R. Smith—sentenced to five years of probation for two counts of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, tag light violation, defective windshield, and improper tires. Fined $2,500.
•Anthony Scott—sentenced to one year of probation for theft by shoplifting. Fined $400.
•Breanna Smith—sentenced to one year of probation for battery, family violence. Fined $300.
•Dayton Beam—sentenced to one year of probation for possession of marijuana and fined $500. Possession of marijuana with with intent to distribute and improper display of license plates were nolle prossed.
Probation revocations included:
Chassidy Pendergrass—probation revoked to one month in Jasper County jail with credit for time served for a new offense of driving under the influence.
Rebecca Massey—probation revoked to a minimum six month stay in a long term patient substance abuse treatment program for failure to notify the officer of record about a change in her residence.
Pre-trial diversions were entered into for Leeann Singleton, Zechariah Whitby, and Chelsie Webb.
April 2 criminal sentences included:
•Ryan Sutton—sentenced to three years of probation for possession of methamphetamine. Fined $2,000.
•Cortney Bell—sentenced to three years of probation for possession of methamphetamine. Fined $1,000.
•Breanna Latimore—sentenced to two years of probation for possesssion of drugs not in original container, possession of drug related objects, possession of marijuana. Fined $500.
•Preston Tanner—sentenced to two years of probation for disorderly conduct and possession of drug related objects. Fined $500.
•Kendardus Benjamin—sentenced to one year of possession of drug related objects and crossing the guard line with unauthorized items. He was also ordered to complete a minimum six month long term in patient substance abuse treatment program for violating previous probation terms.
•Thomas Edmonds—sentenced to one year of probation for theft by taking. Fined $500.
•Amber Lee Elkins–sentenced to one year of probation for possession of drug related object. Fined $500.
Probation revocations included:
Heather Yon—probation revoked to three years in the state penal system for new offenses of willful obstruction of law enforcement and disorderly conduct in Brooks County, petty theft and obstruction of an officer in Broward County, Fl., and failed to provided proof of mental health evaluation.
Bart Ray—probation revoked to 120 days in jail for disorderly conduct and cruelty to children in third degree in Jasper County while testing positive for cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.
