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OFFICE OF THE DEKALB COUNTY
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
DEKALB JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
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NEWS FROM DISTRICT ATTORNEY SHERRY BOSTON
Summer 2026
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Greetings,
Our team got into the World Cup spirit this summer, celebrating the beginning of the tournament with a nod to the countries playing, honoring the vast cultural makeup of our staff, and training law enforcement officers on the complexities of trafficking crimes during large-scale international events.
Sadly, we had to say an emotional goodbye to our UIFSA (Uniform Interstate Family Support Act) Division. After more than 30 years of service the division was closed when the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Child Support Services informed my office that they would not renew our contract for Fiscal Year 2027.
I want to take this opportunity to say how deeply proud I am of former Director Kamilah Miller and the entire UIFSA team, many of whom were with the division for more than a decade. They handled this unexpected transition with grace, compassion and determination. They remained laser-focused on minimizing the impact the change would have on the families they served.
For decades, the work of our UIFSA staff helped improve the lives of children and families, promoting economic stability, reducing poverty, and reinforcing parental responsibility. Thank you to the entire team for their unwavering commitment and for their outstanding service to DeKalb County and the State of Georgia.
In June, I filed a lawsuit against the State of Georgia challenging the constitutionality of a new law that seeks to take information away from voters in our region. During the 2026 legislative session, lawmakers in the Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 369, a measure that changes many county-level elections from partisan to non-partisan including Tax Commissioner, Clerk of Court, Solicitor-General and District Attorney. However, the law, signed by Governor Brian Kemp, only impacts those races in five metro-Atlanta counties—DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, Fulton, and Gwinnett.
This is an issue that all Georgians should be concerned about as national and local conversations continue around election integrity. It is my belief that all voters should have access to the same information about the candidates running to represent their communities.
While this fight continues, my team and I remain committed to doing the work every day to keep our community safe. I hope you will take a few moments to read about our recent case dispositions, accomplishments and community events below.
As always, thank you for the opportunity to serve as your DeKalb County District Attorney. It is an honor and privilege to work for you.
Sincerely,
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District Attorney
DeKalb Judicial Circuit
| | More Than Child Support: The Legacy of DeKalb County's UIFSA Division | | |
Article written with assistance from Communications Intern Boston Simpson
For more than 30 years, the UIFSA Division of the Office of the DeKalb County District Attorney faithfully served the parents and children of DeKalb County and beyond through a contract with the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Child Support Services. UIFSA stands for Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, the law that guides states on how to enforce child support orders for children and parents living in different states or countries.
Earlier this year, the District Attorney’s Office received notification that the state would not renew the office’s contract for Fiscal Year 2027. The division closed to the public on June 5, 2026.
During its operation, the division managed more than 4,000 cases serving more than 6,000 children and collected and distributed more than $9 million in child support payments annually. The money collected helped support children, custodial parents, families, and households here in DeKalb County, across the United States, and all over the globe.
Staff in the UIFSA Division helped families navigate some of the hardest moments of their lives with knowledge and compassion. DeKalb County UIFSA Child Support Director Kamilah Miller led the division for nearly 15 years. While reflecting on the closure, Director Miller shared, "Our division was like a family. We loved serving the community, and we strove to provide customers with the information they needed in order to make their lives and their children's lives better."
Director Miller was quick to point out that she was just one member of a highly specialized team. One of the most complex aspects of the UIFSA team's work was navigating the differences in child support laws across jurisdictions to ensure families received accurate guidance and support. Staff made sure parents understood the process, had the correct forms, and were prepared for those differences by providing weekly calls to inform them when licenses or passports were about to be suspended, interest was increasing, or when they needed to file modifications.
Miller is proud of UIFSA's outstanding results, commitment to providing genuine customer service, effort to build strong relationships, and unwavering support of the community. Although UIFSA was a high-traffic office with daily visits from clients that kept the team busy, she feels strongly that they never lost focus on their main mission - helping children and their families.
“We had a rapport with noncustodial parents and custodial parents like no other office, honestly,” she explained.
The UIFSA Division staff made a special effort to share information with families about resources that support long-term success, such as the Parental Accountability Court and the Fatherhood Program. They assisted parents with previous criminal records in securing jobs, recognizing that a stable source of income helps put people on the right track for child support. They also utilized external community resources to help clients who were facing food scarcity, homelessness, and unemployment, to ensure their needs were addressed promptly and effectively.
Director Miller believes the legacy of the UIFSA Division of the Office of the DeKalb County District Attorney will be the countless families that were supported through the hard work of the dedicated team of attorneys, case managers, and administrative professionals.
"We were kind during the process and provided information that helped them move forward in their lives and their children's lives," Miller said.
Before the division closed its doors, Director Miller and the DA’s Office assisted UIFSA employees in finding new employment. Many staff members secured positions throughout the DA’s Office and with other DeKalb County departments. Special thanks to DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson who prioritized these dedicated employees and partnered with the DA’s Office to ensure they experienced a smooth transition. In addition, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners honored the UIFSA Division with a proclamation on June 9, 2026 (pictured above the article).
Families with open UIFSA cases who were served by the DeKalb County UIFSA Division office located at 160 Clairmont Ave. in Decatur will now receive services from the Georgia Department of Human Services office located at 2910 Miller Road, Suite 100, Decatur, GA 30035. For questions or further information, please visit www.childsupport.georgia.gov or call 1-877-GADHSGO (1-877-423-4746).
| | Fourth Annual Missing Persons and DNA Event | | |
May is recognized as Missing and Unidentified Persons Month. On May 17, the DeKalb County Cold Case Task Force hosted the fourth annual Missing Persons and DNA Event at the Avondale Estates Town Green. The event served as a one-stop-shop for families and friends of missing persons to share information about their loved ones with investigators, open or add to missing persons reports, and donate DNA samples that may assist with identification efforts. The event was also open to members of the public who wished to learn more about the work of the DeKalb County Cold Case Task Force.
The DeKalb County Cold Case Task Force is a coalition consisting of staff from the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office, the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the DeKalb County Police Department. Learn about the Task Force.
Even individuals who do not have a known missing loved one may be able to help identify someone else’s family member. A distant DNA connection from someone in the community can provide critical leads in unidentified remains cases and help return a name to someone who has gone unidentified for years. Community members who are interested in participating may request a DNA kit.
| | Back to School Firearm Safety | | |
As families prepared to send children back to school, the District Attorney’s Office spent time in the community reminding parents and caregivers about the importance of safely securing their firearms. The team distributed more than 70 portable gun safes and trigger locks at the City Schools of Decatur Back 2 School Bash and more than 150 safety devices at the DeKalb County School District's Back-to-School Rally. DA investigators were in attendance at both events to provide hands-on demonstrations on how firearm safes work.
Even families without firearms at home should talk to their children about what to do if they come across one—don’t touch it and go tell a trusted adult who can handle the situation safely.
| | Avondale Estates Community Support Event | In July the DA’s Office partnered with the City of Avondale Estates on a Community Support Event for people impacted by the July 4th Avondale Estates gunfire incident. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with organizations that serve victims of gun violence, learn about the criminal justice process, receive referrals for mental health services and other community resources, and speak with on-site counselors. Therapy dogs were also in attendance. Information was available for parents and caregivers on how to support children experiencing distress after traumatic events. | | The World Cup—Not Just Fun and Games | | |
Article written with assistance from Communications Intern Shray Bhatnagar
As over 540,000 fans from more than 80 countries descended upon Atlanta for the World Cup, the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office found unique and meaningful ways to celebrate this momentous occasion and the cultural diversity of our staff, while also working with our law enforcement partners to keep an eye on criminal activity driven by the massive event.
Kickoff
During a kickoff celebration to the tournament, employees were challenged to select different countries represented in the World Cup to showcase with food, decorations and apparel. Just as the World Cup brought people together from across the globe into our community, the office kickoff event brought staff together to learn about different customs and cultures from communities throughout the world.
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Staff Spotlights
The World Cup also provided a meaningful opportunity to showcase the diverse nationalities, cultures and backgrounds reflected by the staff who work in the DA’s Office. A series of articles and images spotlighting several staff members were posted on social media each week throughout the tournament.
Here are a few of the employees who shared what makes them most proud of their heritage:
| | "I am very proud of being an Indian in so many aspects. The culture and diversity are impeccable. Every state has its own language, and its own cuisine full of flavor. I am also very proud of the fact that India is where yoga originated." | | "The deep-rooted values of hard, honest work, taking care of family, and building your own. That iron resilience, strong culture, and the very open and giving heart of the Saint Lucian people makes me extremely proud of my heritage." | | |
“What makes me most proud of my heritage is our people:
the warmth, the passion, the way we make others feel at home, and the pride we take in who we are."
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Training
In June, the DA’s Human Trafficking and Internet Crimes Unit attended the DeKalb County Chiefs' Association Meeting in preparation for the World Cup. The team also hosted an in-depth training for additional law enforcement personnel.
Led by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Tabitha Pazmino, Investigator Casey Benton, and Victim Advocate Peggy Rémy, the trainings focused on helping officers recognize the signs of both sex and labor trafficking and respond effectively to potential cases. Participants learned how traffickers use force, fraud, and coercion to exploit victims and discussed real-world cases that highlighted the complexities of human trafficking investigations.
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Saturday, February 27, 2027
8:30 a.m., Downtown Decatur
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Join DA Boston for the 12th Annual Love Run 5K in commemoration of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month on Saturday, February 27, 2027! All proceeds will benefit In Safe Company, formerly Women's Resource Center to End Domestic Violence.
Learn more about In Safe Company.
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This summer, interns with the DA’s Office had the opportunity to visit many of the organizations that staff collaborate with on regular basis, including the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) headquarters, the Chamblee Police Department and DeKalb County Police Department’s Real Time Crime Centers (RTCC), and FOX 5 Atlanta.
At the GBI, interns learned how the GBI supports law enforcement and prosecutors across the state by lab testing drugs and DNA, using fingerprint evidence to identify suspects, and testing firearms to match them to possible offenders. At FOX 5 Atlanta, interns got to see a newsroom in action. Station staff answered questions about the daily schedule, how breaking news is handled, the ethical requirements of reporters, and the changing demands of the news industry. At the RTCCs, interns saw where officers monitor live camera feeds, analyze data, and share critical information in real time to support patrol officers and investigators in the field.
DA staff also hosted tours of the Digital Forensics Unit (DFU) embedded in the DA’s Office. Interns learned about the specialized work of DFU analyzing and investigating digital evidence as it pertains to criminal cases, including data from cellular phones, computers, and social media.
| | DAs Seek to Block Georgia Law Making Local Offices Nonpartisan | | |
AJC
June 3, 2026
A group of metro Atlanta district attorneys on Wednesday launched a challenge to a new Georgia law that could reshape politics across metro Atlanta by making it harder for Democrats to hold onto power in the state’s most populous region.
The lawsuit starts the legal fight over House Bill 369, a measure signed by Gov. Brian Kemp in May that makes district attorneys and other key local offices nonpartisan in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties.
The district attorneys argue the law is unconstitutional and designed to weaken Democratic political power in Georgia’s most liberal counties, where voters have increasingly backed Democratic candidates in recent election cycles.
Read the story on the law that seeks to make local offices nonpartisan.
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Families Meet with DeKalb County Task Force in
Search for Answers on Missing Loved Ones
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WSB TV
May 17, 2026
Families with missing loved ones had the opportunity to meet with law enforcement and experts in hopes of getting answers they have sought for years.
The DeKalb County Cold Case Task Force had its fourth annual Missing Persons and DNA event at the Town Green in Avondale Estates.
It allows families of missing people to provide information and DNA samples that could help investigators identify remains.
Watch the story on the Missing Persons and DNA event.
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Massive Cache of Automatic Weapons,
Methamphetamine Brings Down DeKalb County Man
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FOX 5
June 5, 2026
A jury found Vincent Denard Simon, 41, guilty on Wednesday of trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking marijuana and two counts of possessing a firearm during a felony. The conviction follows an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation that led to a raid on his home on Ward Lake Way in Ellenwood on Feb. 6, 2024. GBI agents learned Simon was selling drugs from the home and secured a search warrant after completing several controlled buys.
Read the story on Simon's conviction.
| | | Podcast: Serve Somebody with Steve and Emily | | |
DA Boston was a guest on the Serve Somebody with Steve and Emily podcast. They spoke about the capacity of the District Attorney’s Office expanding under Boston’s leadership, the concept of smart prosecution and proactive efforts to prevent crime, as well as the challenges the criminal justice system and prosecutors face in the current landscape. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
https://servesomebodypodcast.com/
| | | Documentary: Worst Ex Ever | | |
Senior Assistant District Attorney Shannon Hodder, who is an integral part of the DeKalb County Cold Case Task Force, is currently featured in season two of the Netflix Documentary Series, Worst Ex Ever. The episode explores the disappearance of Shawndell McLeod in 2011.
More than a decade after McLeod went missing, Senior ADA Hodder led the successful prosecution of McLeod’s former girlfriend, Joyce Pelzer, in connection with the crime.
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The South & The Next 250
DA Boston participated in a panel discussion titled "Reimagining Justice Administration in the South” during The South & The Next 250 Conference. She and her fellow panelists discussed how those working inside the justice system are shaping its future. They explored the delicate balance of delivering safety and accountability with fairness, proportionality, and dignity, and shared insights for the next 250 years of the justice system in America.
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Summit on the Future of Prosecution
DA Boston attended the Summit on the Future of Prosecution, a convening of researchers, prosecutors and policy leaders hosted by the University of California Irvine School of Social Ecology. The conference centered on the intersection of prosecution and research. She participated in a panel titled “Future Directions for Research, Practice and Policy” that included discussion of challenges on the horizon, opportunities for improvement, and ideas for strengthening collaboration between the prosecution and research communities.
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Leadership DeKalb Class of 2026
Chief Investigator Tracey Enderson is a graduate of the Leadership DeKalb Class of 2026! With a focus on the entire county, Leadership DeKalb class members learn about history, diversity, government, justice, arts and culture, education, health and economic development in the community. During graduation, Chief Enderson and fellow graduate Felix Floyd, Assistant Public Works Director for the City of Decatur, were honored with the “Safety Patrol Award” for directing traffic and keeping their classmates safe as they crossed the road.
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National Missing & Unidentified Persons Conference (MUPC) Service Award
Senior Assistant District Attorney Shannon Hodder of the DeKalb County Cold Case Task Force was recognized with the 2026 National Missing & Unidentified Persons Conference (MUPC) Service Award from the National Criminal Justice Training Center of Fox Valley Technical College. The MUPC Service Award recognizes extraordinary efforts and outstanding achievements that have been made in contributing to the search, investigation, recovery, identification, and reunification of those who go missing. The award honors Shannon’s unwavering commitment to families of the missing and unidentified, her national leadership in forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG), and her transformative work on cold cases and missing persons investigations.
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NDAA Complex and Organized Crime Conference
Yolanda Lippert, Director of Major Crimes, and Craig Smith, Deputy Chief Investigator of the Digital Forensics Unit, presented at the National District Attorneys Association's 2026 Complex and Organized Crimes Conference. Their presentation, “Digital Evidence to Scale: From Data Overload to Trial-Ready Strategy,” addressed how to organize complex digital evidence for trial. They were honored to share best practices with and learn alongside other prosecutors and investigators throughout the country who handle complex and organized crime.
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2026 Basic Litigation Bootcamp
The DA’s Office participated in the 2026 Basic Litigation Boot Camp course hosted by the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia. Several prosecutors took part in the course, both as attendees and speakers/trainers. Chief Assistant District Attorney Eddie Chase taught Direct Examination; Sam d’Entremont, Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney with the Appeals & Litigation Support Unit, taught on Motions Practice; and Director of Training Drew Healy taught on Closing Arguments. They also joined Buffy Thomas, Senior ADA with our SB440 Unit, and Tabitha Pazmino, Deputy Chief ADA with the Human Trafficking and Internet Crimes Unit, in teaching workshops on the different parts of a trial and assisted with a mock bench trial and jury trial.
| | Staff attended Summer Conference hosted by the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia. Three staff members also spoke at the conference: Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney of the Appeals and Litigation Support Unit Sam d’Entremont, Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney of the Human Trafficking and Internet Crimes Unit Tabitha Pazmino, and Director of Training Drew Healy. | | DA Boston attended the NAACP Annual Unity Breakfast at Peace Baptist Church for an inspiring morning of connection with community members and fellow DeKalb County leaders. | |  | DA Boston attended the State Bar of Georgia Annual Meeting. She was re-elected to serve on the Board of Governors and was installed during the 2026 Annual Meeting as a representative of the DeKalb Judicial Circuit. | | DA Boston and members of the team participated in the National Black Prosecutors Association's 43rd Annual Conference & Job Fair. The event is an opportunity to connect with prosecutors from across the country and meet job candidates. | | | DA Boston and three team members, Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney for Diversion & Community Alternatives Programs Lisa Moultrie, Director of Victim Services Amanda Planchard, and Victim Advocate Breanna Sawyer, joined the Prosecutors Alliance for their first-ever Reimagining Accountability conference. | | DA Boston attended the 2026 State of the County Address at Assembly Studios in Doraville. Thank you to CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson for the inspiring message about all that is ahead for DeKalb County. | | | DA Boston and staff attended the Champions for Change gala benefiting the Women's Resource Center to End Domestic Violence as the organization marked 40 years of impact. During the event, the organization unveiled a new name and brand identity - In Safe Company. | | In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the DA’s Office hosted a journal donation drive for the Women's Resource Center to End Domestic Violence, now known as In Safe Company. Employees donated more than 100 journals which will be used for programming with sexual assault survivors to aid in their healing journey. | | | Congratulations to the “Sentencers” who defended their title and had the highest team score for the second year in a row at the DeKalb Pro Bono Ballin' Bowling Fundraiser! The award-winning team was led by Captain TyShawn Jackson, Senior Assistant District Attorney. DA Investigator André Williams took first place with the highest individual score and his fiancé had the second highest score! | | Director of HR, Finance, Budget & Grants Luz Sanchez and HR Specialist Summer Landolfi attended the SHRM 2026 Annual Conference and Expo. SHRM is the world's largest gathering of HR professionals, hosted by the Society for Human Resource Management. | | | Deputy Director Antoinette Liddell and Administrative Assistant Jasmine Sutherland, both with the HR, Finance, Budget & Grants Department, attended the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) 120th Annual Conference. GFOA is a community of finance professionals committed to excellence, transparency, and public service. | | Senior Assistant District Attorney Latonia Hines with the Crime Strategies and Community Partnerships Unit attended the Swearing-In Ceremony for new City of Clarkston Chief of Police James Bullock. The DA’s Office congratulates Chief Bullock and looks forward to working alongside him and his team. | | | Jon’Dasha Price, Fair and Just Prosecution fellow and summer law intern, attended BBQ with a Cop hosted by the DeKalb County Police Department Tucker Precinct alongside Michael Costello, Senior Assistant District Attorney with our Crime Strategies and Community Partnerships Unit. | | The Human Trafficking and Internet Crimes Unit hosted a workshop for the DeKalb County Police Department’s Police Athletic League Young Women’s Empowerment Program. During the workshop, teens age 12-17 learned how to recognize the signs of Human Trafficking and report it, as well as the role that social media and technology play in how predators approach victims. | | | Senior Assistant District Attorney TyShawn Jackson and Victim Advocate Marc King, both with the Firearm Violence Prevention Unit, and Michael Costello, Senior Assistant District Attorney with the Crime Strategies and Community Partnerships Unit, attended the Third Annual Peace Walk and community resource fair hosted by Emory Healthcare and the City of Lithonia. | | The Crimes Against Elder Persons and Adults with Disabilities Unit traveled to Greenforest Community Baptist Church where 50 seniors were in attendance for a presentation about seniors protecting themselves from scams and fraud. | | | The DA’s Office hosted the International Homicide Investigators Association (IHIA) for a three-day Officer Involved Critical Incident course. The training outlines best practices for investigations into officer involved shooting cases and in-custody deaths through lecture, critical examination of video footage and scenario-based training. | | Crimes Against Elder Persons and Adults with Disabilities Victim Advocate Tina Williamson participated in the Tucker Precinct Senior Summit. | | | Supervising Victim Advocate Yuzellie Garcia, Victim Advocate Shakoa Harper, and Investigator Matthew Principe attended the DeKalb County Police Department’s Spring 2026 DeKalb County Public Safety Fair in Stonecrest. | | | | Join the conversation @SherryBostonDA | | | | |
