Cordele, GA (April 4, 2024) – The GBI has arrested and charged Lee Savage III, age 21, of Cordele, GA, Jayveon Royal, age 21, of Cordele, GA, and Kavien Butler, age 19, of Cordele, GA in connection to two unrelated homicide cases. 

Investigation #1 

The GBI arrested and charged Savage III on Thursday March 28, 2024, with Felony Murder and Aggravated Assault in connection to the death of Rondarrius Wedges, age 19, of Cordele, GA. 

The investigation indicated on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at about 10:00 p.m., Cordele Police Department officers responded to the 1000 block of Tulip Ave after several calls were made to 911 in which residents heard numerous gunshots. When officers arrived, they were flagged down by a group of people at a home. There, officers found Wedges with numerous gunshot wounds, sitting inside a car. Emergency lifesaving efforts were unfortunately unsuccessful, and Wedges died from his injuries. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in to assist with the investigation along with the Cordele Police Department Criminal Investigative Division.  

Savage III was booked into the Crisp County Jail on unrelated charges. 

Investigation #2 

The GBI arrested and charged Royal on January 18, 2024, with Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime in connection to the death of Davieon Lavant, age 30, of Cordele, GA. Butler was also arrested and charged in this case with Party to the Crime of Felony Murder and Party to the Crime of Aggravated Assault on February 16, 2024. 

The investigation shows on January 5, 2024, shortly before 1:00 a.m., officers with the Cordele Police Department were dispatched to Hilltop Apartments in the 200 block of W 24th Ave to a shooting call.  

When officers arrived, they located Lavant with gunshot wounds. Crisp County EMS arrived and took Lavant to a local hospital for emergency treatment. Unfortunately, life-saving attempts were unsuccessful, and Lavant died from his injuries.  

Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation were requested to assist in the investigation. During the course of the investigation, agents obtained information that led to an arrest.  

Royal and Butler were booked into the Crisp County Jail. 

The Cordele Police Department, the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Community Supervision, and the Mid-South Narcotics Task Force assisted with these investigations. 

Both cases are being prosecuted by District Attorney Brad Rigby of the Cordele Judicial Circuit. 

As these cases remain active, anyone with information about these incidents should contact the Cordele Police Department at 229-276-2921 or non-emergency 911 at 229-276-2690, or the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Americus at 229-931-2439. Anonymous tips can be submitted via the GBI Tipline 1-800-597-8477, online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app. 

CONTACT
Special Agent in Charge Joe Chesnut
joe.chesnut@gbi.ga.gov

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Wayne County, GA (August 11, 2023) – The GBI has arrested and charged Michael Baker Jr., age 35, of Odum, Wayne County, GA, with three counts of rape and one count of aggravated sodomy. On Thursday, July 27, 2023, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and the Jesup Police Department requested the GBI to investigate a rape allegation made against Baker.

The investigation into the original allegation revealed additional victims, all alleging that while interacting with Baker, he provided them with a drink causing them to black out. During this time, Baker engaged in sexual activity with them.

During the investigation, Baker resigned from employment with the Jesup Fire Department.

Baker was booked at the Wayne County Jail.

This investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Kingsland at 912-729-6198.  Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Contact Special Agent in Charge
Stacy Carson
stacy.carson@gbi.ga.gov

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Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced today the appointment of U.S. Attorney David Weiss to serve as Special Counsel for the ongoing investigation and prosecutions referenced and described in United States v. Robert Hunter Biden, as well as for any other matters that arose or may arise from that investigation. Mr. Weiss was nominated by the former president in 2017 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2018. In 2021, he was asked to remain as U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, where he led this ongoing investigation. On Tuesday, Aug. 8, Mr. Weiss requested to be appointed as Special Counsel, and today the Attorney General made that appointment.

“On Tuesday of this week, Mr. Weiss advised me that in his judgment, his investigation has reached a stage at which he should continue his work as a Special Counsel, and he asked to be so appointed,” said Attorney General Garland. “Upon considering his request, as well as the extraordinary circumstances relating to this matter, I have concluded it is in the public interest to appoint him as Special Counsel. This appointment confirms my commitment to provide Mr. Weiss all the resources he requests. It also reaffirms that Mr. Weiss has the authority he needs to conduct a thorough investigation and to continue to take the steps he deems appropriate independently, based only on the facts and the law.”

The Attorney General also said, “As Special Counsel, he will continue to have the authority and responsibility that he has exercised previously to oversee the investigation and decide where, when, and whether to file charges. The Special Counsel will not be subject to the day-to-day supervision of any official of the Department, but he must comply with the regulations, procedures, and policies of the Department … Today’s announcement affords the prosecutors, agents, and analysts working on this matter the ability to proceed with their work expeditiously, and to make decisions indisputably guided only by the facts and the law … I am confident that Mr. Weiss will carry out his responsibility in an even-handed and urgent matter, and in accordance with the highest traditions of this Department.”

Appointment Order of David Weiss

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers a Statement

Remarks as Delivered

Good afternoon. I am here today to announce the appointment of David Weiss as a Special Counsel, consistent with the Department of Justice regulations governing such matters. In keeping with those regulations, I have today notified the designated members of each House of Congress of the appointment.

In February 2018, after being nominated by the former president and confirmed by the Senate, Mr. Weiss was sworn in as the United States Attorney for the District of Delaware. Mr. Weiss had been a career prosecutor, having served previously in the office for more than a decade.

Beginning in 2019, Mr. Weiss, in his capacity as U.S. Attorney and along with federal law enforcement partners, began investigating allegations of certain criminal conduct by, among others, Robert Hunter Biden. That investigation has been recently referenced in federal criminal proceedings in the District of Delaware. And, as noted in those proceedings and other public statements by Mr. Weiss’ office, that investigation remains ongoing.

In February 2021, U.S. Attorney Weiss was asked to remain as U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware and, in that capacity, to continue to lead the investigation.

As I said before, Mr. Weiss would be permitted to continue his investigation, take any investigative steps he wanted, and make the decision whether to prosecute in any district.

Mr. Weiss has told Congress that he has been granted ultimate authority over this matter, including the responsibility for deciding where, when, and whether to file charges and for making decisions necessary to preserve the integrity of any prosecution, consistent with federal law, the Principles of Federal Prosecution, and Departmental policies.

In a July 2023 letter to Congress, Mr. Weiss said that he had not to that point requested Special Counsel designation.

On Tuesday of this week, Mr. Weiss advised me that in his judgment, his investigation has reached a stage at which he should continue his work as a Special Counsel, and he asked to be so appointed.

Upon considering his request, as well as the extraordinary circumstances relating to this matter, I have concluded that it is in the public interest to appoint him as Special Counsel.

This appointment confirms my commitment to provide Mr. Weiss all the resources he requests. It also reaffirms that Mr. Weiss has the authority he needs to conduct a thorough investigation and to continue to take the steps he deems appropriate independently, based only on the facts and the law.

Mr. Weiss will also continue to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware.

As Special Counsel, he will continue to have the authority and responsibility that he has previously exercised to oversee the investigation and decide where, when, and whether to file charges. The Special Counsel will not be subject to the day-to-day supervision of any official of the Department, but he must comply with the regulations, procedures, and policies of the Department.

Consistent with the Special Counsel regulations, at the conclusion of Mr. Weiss’ work, he will provide me with a report explaining the prosecution or declination decisions reached by him. As with each Special Counsel who has served since I have taken office, I am committed to making as much of his report public as possible, consistent with legal requirements and Department policy.

Today’s announcement affords the prosecutors, agents, and analysts working on this matter the ability to proceed with their work expeditiously, and to make decisions indisputably guided only by the facts and the law.

The men and women undertaking this investigation are public servants who have dedicated their careers to protecting the citizens of this country. The appointment of Mr. Weiss reinforces for the American people the Department’s commitment to both independence and accountability in particularly sensitive matters.

I am confident that Mr. Weiss will carry out his responsibility in an even-handed and urgent manner, and in accordance with the highest traditions of this Department.

Thank you.

Speaker

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland

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