Judge Is Against Trespass Warrant
Judge Terry Massey issued a ruling April 25 in Holy Nation Church’s civil hearing reviewed last Tuesday in Jasper County Superior Court.
The hearing stemmed from a September 2024 incident in which one of the plaintiffs in the hearing were issued a criminal trespass warrant for visiting the church location. Current church leaders filed the warrant.
After reviewing the merits of the hearing including the history of the church, Judge Massey wrote the following:
“The Court finds that there was evidence presented to show proper procedures were followed in the execution of a trespass warrant. Furthermore, Defendants testified that the church is open to all attendance as long as attendee(s) do not disturb service.”
“The Court is limiting its ruling to the examination of procedures followed in the execution of the trespass warrant. The Court DENIES the petition for injunction and temporary restraining order, but rules that the Plaintiff(s) shall be allowed to attend the church service. In making this ruling, the Court relies on Defendants’ firm assertion that all are welcome to attend service as long as attendees do not disturb service. The Court further ORDERS that Plaintiff(s) shall not be disruptive. The Court makes No FINDING as Plaintiff(s) membership in the church.”
Several other criminal sentences were issued by Judge Massey during last Tuesday’s motion day which included the following:
•Christopher Stodghill, sentenced to three years of probation for giving false information to a law enforcement officer, driving while license suspended and possession of methamphetamine. Fined $2,000.
•Sonya Bonner, sentenced to one year of probation for giving false information to a law enforcement officer and possession of drug related object after having probation revoked to 90 days in Jasper County jail for failure to adhere to probation terms. Fined $500.
•Christopher Black, sentenced to one year of probation for possession of drug related objects. Fined $500.
•Bethany Fincher, sentenced to one year of probation for theft by shoplifting. Fined $200.
•Ashley Enrique, sentenced to one year of probation for theft by shoplifting and theft by taking. Fined $400.
•Alexis Clemons, sentenced to one year of probation for obstruction of an officer, Fined $300.
•De’Eric Driskell, sentenced to one year of probation for unlawful disposition of dead animal. Fined $500.
•Jonas Smith, probation revoked 180 days to the state probation detention center for new offenses of posession of controlled substances, obstruction of an officer, driving while license suspended and window tint violation. He also tested positive for drugs.
Pre-trial diversion agreements were issued for Kalib Edwards, Traci Rutherford, and Anijah Cotterell.