Man Is Killed In Hunting Accident

Joseph Wesley Hoffman, 34, of Morgan County died last Friday in Jasper County after a shooting was reported near Hwy. 16 east close to the Smithboro Community.

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to do a death investigation after the shooting was reported as a hunting accident.

According to the GBI, the incident occurred on hunting property off Hwy. 16 a few miles east of Monticello. Mr. Hoffman was on the property with another hunter. The other hunter was removing a .243 hunting rifle from the back seat of the four-door pick-up they had been riding in. The rifle went off, striking Mr. Hoffman who was on the opposite side of the vehicle, retrieving his rifle as well.

Mr. Hoffman was taken to Jasper Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy has been performed, and final results are pending the receipt of all testing, said Joe Wooten with the GBI.

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Another incident that was investigated by the JCSO was one of financial transaction card – unauthorized use. The case involved someone going to the sheriff’s office to report unauthorized use of a debit card.

Those arrested in the last week, and their charges, include:

•Andre Etienne Prevost, 25, Atlanta—probation violation.

•James Anthony Cates, 43, Monticello—possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, open container and failure to maintain lane.

•Anthony Clay Ricks, 22, Conyers—probation violation.

•Donald Torry Beacham, 37, Newborn—driving while license suspended or revoked.

•William Paul Perry, 30, Stockbridge—probation violation.

•Erika Nicole Blue, 44, Douglasville—financial identity fraud, conspiracy to commit a felony, printing, executing, negotiating checks, drafts and forgery in the 4th degree.