Ohio man convicted of molesting 8-year-old girl

Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast

GDP Script/ Top Stories for May 15th

Publish Date: May 15th

From the Ingles Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.

Today is Wednesday, May 15th, and Happy 70th Birthday to MLB HOF George Brett.

***05.15.24 – BIRTHDAY – GEORGE BRETT***

I’m Bruce Jenkins and here are your top stories presented by KIA Mall of Georgia.

1. Ohio man convicted of molesting 8-year-old girl
2. Cocaine trafficker sentenced to life in prison
3. Gwinnett's judicial candidates weigh in on the court system's biggest challenges

Plus, my conversation with Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on diabetes.

All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen daily and subscribe!

Break 1: MOG

STORY 1: Ohio man convicted of molesting 8-year-old girl

In 2019, Kevin McKenna, a 66-year-old Ohio man, molested an 8-year-old girl in Lawrenceville and Loganville, Georgia, multiple times. Last week, a jury convicted him on charges including aggravated sexual battery and child molestation. He received a life sentence plus 20 years and will be registered as a sex offender for life. Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson condemned his actions, emphasizing the trauma inflicted on the victim and the relentless pursuit of justice by the Special Victims Unit. The victim reported the crimes in 2021, detailing instances where McKenna touched her inappropriately and attempted sexual contact.

STORY 2: Cocaine trafficker sentenced to life in prison

Glenn Smithson, aged 52, was recently convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole for trafficking cocaine in Gwinnett County for over three decades. The conviction followed a bench trial where he confessed to his involvement in trafficking drugs investigated in 2021. Prosecutors highlighted the efforts of law enforcement, particularly the Gwinnett County Police Narcotics Unit, in dismantling his criminal operation. Investigations revealed Smithson's activities through wiretaps and surveillance, leading to his arrest after a traffic stop where cocaine was found in his possession. This sentencing marks the end of a long history of drug-related convictions spanning 30 years. District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson emphasized the community's safety with Smithson behind bars.

STORY 3: Gwinnett's judicial candidates weigh in on the court system's challenges

In Gwinnett County's upcoming judicial races, candidates address pressing issues such as mental health in court proceedings and fairness in treatment. State Court Judge Shawn Bratton emphasizes civility and respect in the diverse community, while Deputy District Attorney Ramona Toole highlights the need to tackle case backlogs through proactive scheduling. In the Superior Court races, candidates stress equality and individualized approaches to justice. Juvenile Court Judge Rodney Harris advocates for equal treatment regardless of representation, while Magistrate Judge Kimberly Gallant supports treatment courts for accountability and recovery. In the race to replace retiring judges, candidates prioritize mental health support for defendants, with B. Thassanee "BT" Gutter-Parker proposing a comprehensive safety plan, Regina Matthews advocating for continued accountability court programs, and Tuwanda Rush Williams emphasizing intervention plans over incarceration for those with mental health diagnoses. Voters can explore detailed candidate responses on gwinnettdailypost.com.

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We’ll be right back

Break 2: TOM WAGES

STORY 4: Georgia prison inmate pleads guilty in meth conspiracy

Christopher David Johnson, aged 46, has pleaded guilty to leading a methamphetamine conspiracy while incarcerated in a Georgia prison. He faces a minimum of 15 years to life in prison for distributing over 500 grams of meth. Johnson orchestrated the operation using multiple cellphones from prison, coordinating with accomplices through Facebook and text messages. His co-conspirator, Michael Paul Brown, was recently sentenced to 15 years for his involvement. The state budget includes $10.7 million for prison technology upgrades to prevent contraband smuggling. The U.S. DEA and law enforcement agencies from Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia investigated Johnson's case, with his guilty plea entered in federal court in Abingdon, Virginia.

STORY 5: Emergency hearing on Mulberry cityhood referendum set for Thursday

An emergency hearing has been scheduled by a Gwinnett Superior Court judge regarding a lawsuit aimed at halting the Mulberry cityhood referendum on the May 21 ballot. Filed by retiree Stephen Hughes, the lawsuit contends that key aspects of the proposed city's charter are unconstitutional, including limitations on property tax collection and specified city services. Hughes' attorney argues that the referendum would deceive voters, as the proposed city's structure faces legal challenges. Supporters of Mulberry cityhood, such as Georgia House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration, denounce the lawsuit, alleging it is driven by special interest groups, possibly developers opposing the proposal. Citizens For Mulberry President Michael Coker maintains that cityhood enjoys community support and anticipates its passage, dismissing the lawsuit as a last-minute attempt to derail the referendum.

We’ll be back in a moment

Break 3: INGLES 10

STORY 6: LEAH MCGRATH

And now here is my conversation with Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on diabetes.

STORY 7: LEAH MCGRATH

***LEAH MCGRATH INERVIEW***

We’ll have final thoughts after this.

Break 4: SCANDRETT

Signoff –

Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at gwinnettdailypost.com

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