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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 2025
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Greetings!
I hope you’re staying cool and that you’ve had an opportunity to enjoy time with friends and family this Summer. I love this season – the Summer traditions and community events, slowing down (when possible) and spending time with my family, and convening with my staff and fellow prosecutors at the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia (PAC) Summer Conference and the National Black Prosecutors Association Annual Conference.
While I encourage my team to take time to connect with their loved ones, we also speak often about the importance of connecting with our community, and in turn connecting those community members with services, support and opportunity.
This summer we found ourselves fostering relationships with two specific groups – young people and seniors. Several departments in the office welcomed a class of more than 20 enthusiastic students for our Summer Internship Program. Members of our Human Trafficking & Internet Crimes Unit spent time with a dynamic group of young women participating in the DeKalb County Police Department's PALS Young Women’s Empowerment Program. Our Crimes Against Elder Persons & Adults with Disabilities Unit and our Communications Team worked together to launch a 34-page Resource Guide to help seniors and their loved ones spot the warning signs of abuse and scams.
To wrap up the Summer, we celebrated Director of Training Drew Healy who was named Division 3 Assistant District Attorney of the Year by the District Attorneys Association of Georgia at the PAC Summer Conference, in part for his work to mentor and train younger attorneys in our office and around the state.
As the weather (hopefully) cools down, we’re looking ahead to fostering even more connections with the community during the annual National Night Out festivities happening throughout the county in August, recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, and planning for our 11th Annual Love Run 5K next February.
As always, thank you for the opportunity to serve as your DeKalb County District Attorney.
Sincerely,
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District Attorney
DeKalb Judicial Circuit
| | Third Annual Missing Persons and DNA Event | | |
In May, the DeKalb County Cold Case Task Force hosted the third annual Missing Persons and DNA Event at Legacy Park in Decatur. Families and friends of missing persons were invited to attend the event to share information about their loved ones, open or add to missing persons reports, and donate DNA to assist with possible identification efforts.
Members of the public were also invited to learn more about the work of the DeKalb County Cold Case Task Force, 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.
During the event, the Cold Case Task Force had the opportunity to connect with several families who have missing loved ones. The event also brought new attention to the Task Force’s work to identify the remains of more than a dozen individuals in DeKalb County and reunite them with their families.
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Learn more about these individuals and the work of the DeKalb County Cold Case Task Force at https://bit.ly/DeKalbColdCase.
If you believe you have information that can help identify anyone, please call the Cold Case Tip Line at 404-371-2444.
Thank you to all of the partners who made the event a success including the DeKalb County Medical Examiner's Office, Raymond Green International Outreach of Hope, the DeKalb County Police Department, the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office, Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta, NamUs, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Cobb County Medical Examiner's Office, the Decatur Police Department, Black and Missing, Inc., Qiagen, and Genetic Genealogist Jeremy Lipford.
| | Summer Internship Program | | |
DA's Office Welcomes Record-Breaking Intern Class
Article written by Ethan Wilcox, Communications Intern
The DA’s Office had its largest ever cohort of interns this summer, employing 21 students from more than a dozen colleges and universities. Part of the reason for this growth was the introduction of programs focused on different career areas within the office after previously only offering legal internships.
Investigative Internships
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One of these opportunities is an investigative internship that lets students observe and experience all stages of the criminal investigation process.
“[This internship] has been so eye opening. It has been one of the most valued experiences of my life so far,” said Evelyn Williams, an investigative intern and third-year student at Mississippi State University.
Williams observed investigators as they responded to crime scenes, talked to witnesses, and handled trials. She also got to shadow the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office.
“I found it super interesting being able to go into the actual examination floor where they perform the autopsies and seeing how much work that they put in to get justice for people,” Williams said.
Williams shadowed a different investigative team each week to see how they functioned in the office. She particularly enjoyed her time with the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Unit.
“Each unit has been so friendly and open and answered every question,” Williams said. “They're like a real strong community and family.”
Legal Internships
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The office employed 11 legal interns who observed and participated in the prosecution process. Each intern was paired with an attorney and given different assignments over the course of the program.
The interns had a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Some were first-year students newly introduced into the law field, while others were third-year students who had already practiced law at previous internships.
“In law school they kind of teach you law generally,” said Niyah Norton, a first-year law student at Emory University School of Law. “Here, I'm seeing criminal law in practice and not just taking it as a class.”
Students are assigned a division that best fits their skills and interests. Norton works with the Crimes Against Elder Persons and Adults with Disabilities (CAEPAD) Unit. She has observed trials, written case summaries, and prepared witnesses to testify in front of the Grand Jury.
Norton is from Maryland and was nervous about relocating to Georgia for law school, but the challenge of working in a new environment has made her confident that she can do it again in the future.
“I think I've just enjoyed having a new experience,” Norton said. “Knowing that if I wanted to work outside of my home area, it would be okay.”
Norton said that law students interested in applying to the internship should be open to recommendations from their supervisors and be willing to learn about as many divisions as they can.
Data Internships
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The DA’s Office also offers internships in the Intelligence/Data Analytics field. These interns use coding software and cloud-based databases to complete different projects over the course of the program.
Rosie Larson, a fourth-year data science student at Emory University, said she appreciates how their work is being used by prosecutors.
“My favorite part is seeing all the moving pieces and how data can fit into the broader scheme of the office,” Larson said. “We convert the [visual] model that we have of the data into a version that's legible to people that are using it in the context of prosecution.”
Larson analyzed crime data to find patterns related to geographic location. She created data visualizations to reveal crime-related trends at specific places in DeKalb County. This information can be used to help prosecutors and investigators do their work.
Larson said that the data interns often collaborated on assignments and learned from each other.
“I was surprised at how well all of our skills blended together into the projects and how well we've been able to divvy things up so that we're each doing something that plays to our strengths,” Larson said.
She said the internship has helped her consider a future in law.
“I definitely went into this wanting some confirmation on whether I want to go to law school,” Larson said. “It's definitely helped me see myself in law and has given me confidence that it is something that I want to pursue.”
The DA’s Office offers internship opportunities throughout the year. For more information on the programs and how to apply, please visit our website.
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11th Annual Love Run 5K
Saturday, February 28, 2026
8:30 a.m., Downtown Decatur
Join DA Boston for the 11th Annual Love Run 5K in commemoration of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month on Saturday, February 28, 2026! All proceeds will benefit the Women's Resource Center to End Domestic Violence.
Registration is now open.
https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Decatur/LoveRun5K
| | | Day care horror: Man guilty of killing woman while she held their child | | |
Atlanta-Journal Constitution
July 3, 2025
It was a frightening day at a DeKalb County day care center, one the staff will likely never forget.
What started as an argument between a man and a woman on that afternoon in 2022 devolved quickly into a scary scene — with young children all around — and eventually a shooting that left the 22-year-old woman dead.
The Lithonia man at the center of the incident, Taco Nash Jr., emerged from a wooded area behind the day care facility on Snapfinger Park Circle with his child in his arms, according to DeKalb prosecutors. The 16-month-old girl, covered in blood, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, police said.
Read the story.
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Former Atlanta VA drug counselor indicted,
accused of buying methadone from patients
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FOX 5
June 18, 2025
Philip Fritz was indicted by a DeKalb County grand jury on drug charges, among others, in a sweeping 72-count indictment against the healthcare professional.
The backstory:
FOX 5 has been reporting on Fritz since last year, after obtaining secretly recorded video of Fritz allegedly purchasing methadone from veterans.
Watch the story.
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Man sentenced for kidnapping,
raping woman in DeKalb nearly 40 years ago
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WSB-TV
June 3, 2025
A DeKalb County jury has convicted a man of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman in a 1988 cold case.
On May 20, Reginald Colwell, 58, of Albany was found guilty of kidnapping, rape, and aggravated assault.
The conviction stems from an incident that happened on December 30, 1988.
Investigators said a 20-year-old victim went to the DeKalb County Police Department to report that she had been raped.
Read the story.
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DeKalb County Cold Case Task Force
strives to identify the nameless dead
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FOX 5
May 14, 2025
Investigators in DeKalb County are on a mission to give a voice to the voiceless.
A task force created in 2022 aims to identify the remains of every Jane and John Doe in the county—to give families closure and, in some cases, justice.
What we know:
Time may have forgotten DeKalb County’s unidentified faces, but investigators have not. Each sketch of a missing individual has a case number, but their names remain unknown.
Watch the story.
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DA Boston has been elected as the Chair of the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia (PAC). PAC provides important services to the hundreds of elected and appointed prosecutors across the State of Georgia. The council consists of nine members, six district attorneys and three state court solicitors, who establish policies that guide the day-to-day work of the Council staff.
DA Boston has also been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Women's Resource Center to End Domestic Violence. In March, the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence acquired the DeKalb Rape Crisis Center. This strategic, mission-driven move allows the organization to offer a comprehensive spectrum of care for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.
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Congratulations to Drew Healy who has been named Division 3 Assistant District Attorney of the Year by the District Attorneys Association of Georgia!
As Director of Training, Drew ensures that the DA's Office maintains the highest level of prosecutorial competency. He consistently demonstrates exceptional legal acumen and a deep sense of responsibility to uphold the law, and is often entrusted with leading or assisting in complex prosecutions.
Beyond his legal expertise, Drew mentors and trains prosecutors both within our office and across the state, and his commitment to professional development is evident through his extensive teaching engagements.
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The Crimes Against Elder Persons and Adults with Disabilities (CAEPAD) Unit works to hold bad actors accountable, but another important part of their mission is to educate the community, so they don't fall victim.
On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 15, the CAEPAD Unit launched a Resource Guide to help seniors and their loved ones spot the warning signs of abuse and scams.
Read the free guide here.
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Congratulations to Claire Simms Chaffins, Director of Communications & External Affairs, and Tyler Mann, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, who have graduated from the Leadership DeKalb program. A well-deserved honor for both of these members of the team and the amazing work they do on behalf of the citizens of DeKalb County.
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Congratulations to Senior Assistant
District Attorney Furhawn Shah with the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Unit.
Furhawn was recently elected to serve
as Vice Chair of the Atlanta Bar
Association’s Criminal Law Section.
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Congratulations to Bernard Ussery,
Senior Assistant District Attorney with the
Anti-Corruption Unit, for 10 years of service to the State of Georgia.
| | Staff from the DA's Office enjoyed another fantastic Summer Conference hosted by the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia! Thank you to Chief Assistant District Attorney Edward Chase, Deputy Chief ADA of the Appeals and Litigation Support Unit Sam d’Entremont, and Director of Training Drew Healy who all shared their expertise as presenters at the conference. | | DA Boston participated in a panel discussion for Fair and Just Prosecution fellows across the country hosted by Joy Copu McCray, FJP fellow and summer intern in the DeKalb DA’s Office. DA Boston spoke about her career journey, how she became a prosecutor, and what motivated her to run for DeKalb County District Attorney. | | DA Boston participated in the Fallen Officer's Memorial Ceremony hosted by the DeKalb County Police Department in remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice and to recognize their families and loved ones. | | The DA’s Office hosted “Optimizing Missing Persons Investigations,” a training for law enforcement. DA Investigator James Delk and fellow members of the Cold Case Task Force shared how to utilize the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) to enhance missing persons investigations. | | |
The DA’s Office participated in the 2025
Basic Litigation Boot Camp Course hosted
by the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia. Several prosecutors from our office took part in the course, both as speakers
and attendees.
| | The Human Trafficking and Internet Crimes Unit hosted a workshop for the DeKalb County Police Department's PALS Young Women’s Empowerment Program. The teens learned 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. | | Director of Victim Services Amanda Planchard led training for Victim Advocates at the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia. The session focused on secondary trauma and self-care for those who help counsel victims through the criminal justice process. | | Congratulations to the DA's Office team for their first place win with the highest team score at the DeKalb Pro Bono Bowling Fundraiser! The award-winning team was led by Captain TyShawn Jackson, Senior Assistant District Attorney. Congratulations are also in order for DA Investigator Andre Williams who won first place for the highest individual score! | | Senior Assistant District Attorney Shannon Hodder and Supervising District Attorney Investigator Matthew McLendon, who lead the office’s work on the DeKalb County Cold Case Task Force, presented at the National Missing and Unidentified Persons Conference hosted by the National Criminal Justice Training Center. | | Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Lauren Caldwell, who leads the Pre-Charging Unit, spoke to new police recruits as part of the DeKalb County Police Department’s Academy. Deputy Chief Caldwell walked them through the court system and how a case moves forward after officers make an arrest. | | Chief Assistant District Attorney Eddie Chase and Investigator Casey Benton traveled to Washington, D.C. to represent the DA’s Office at the Police Executive Research Forum hosted by Prosecutors’ Center for Excellence. Eddie and Casey presented on the office’s work to combat human trafficking and ongoing partnerships with local law enforcement to tackle this issue. | | |
Latonia Hines, Senior Assistant District
Attorney with our Crime Strategies & Community Partnerships Unit, attended the DeKalb
County Police Department Tucker Precinct’s Cone With A Cop event at Roll O Coaster Dessert Shop. Yum!
| | Senior Assistant District Attorney TyShawn Jackson and Victim Advocate Shakoa Harper, with the Firearm Violence Prevention Unit, attended the second annual Peace Walk hosted by Emory Hillandale's Violence Prevention Program. The event was held in recognition of National Gun Violence Awareness Month. DA staff provided gun locks to interested participants and took part in the Community Resource Expo. | | |
Senior Assistant District Attorney
Shannon Hodder attended the National
Missing Children's Day event hosted by Raymond Green International Outreach of
Hope and connected with several individuals who donated DNA to add to the Cold Case
Task Force’s community database!
| | The DA’s Office participated in an elder abuse training for attorneys and law enforcement hosted by the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia. Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Franklin Engram, with the Crimes Against Elder Persons and Adults with Disabilities Unit, presented on the work of the DeKalb At-Risk Adult Multi-Disciplinary Team. | | | | Join the conversation @SherryBostonDA | | | | |
