Augusta DA touts new Major Crimes Division as accused serial rapist gets conviction
By Lauren Young
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WFXG) – When running for the office of District Attorney in 2020, Jared Williams stood on a campaign promise to deliver justice that is strategic, measured, accountable, reasonable, and tough.
Tuesday, Williams stood on the steps of Richmond County's John H. Ruffin, Jr. Courthouse to announce the implementation of a dual-force effort known as the Major Crimes Division. The division includes a Violent Crimes Unit, aimed at dealing with gangs and gun violence, and a Special Victims Unit, which investigates crimes that are sexual in nature or committed against the elderly or small children.
According to Williams, the two forces are highly specialized and strategically trained.
“They get involved earlier. They dig deeper. Their specialized knowledge makes them an authority in the courtroom.”
Williams says this is an advantage for the community, and for the prosecutors looking to put away dangerous criminals. One such criminal, says Williams, saw justice last week following multiple acquittals in sexual assault cases.
“In 2020, Darrell Oliver wasn't facing an SVU prosecutor. He walked away, free to go commit another rape. He did just that in November of last year. But this time we were ready. This time he would not escape. I am proud to report that after five days of trial, a Richmond County jury has found this serial rapist guilty. This threat has been eliminated. He is no longer free to victimize and terrorize women in our community. We now have justice for all the survivors of his depravity,” Williams proclaimed from in front of Lady Justice at the Richmond County Judicial Center.
Kari Viola-Brooke serves as executive director of Child Enrichment, and she works with children who have been victimized by violent and sexual crimes. She says, having a department focused on convicting these types of criminals is a huge win for Augusta.
“Richmond County is the number one county in the state of Georgia for child trafficking cases. That is not per capita or based on population; that is numbers alone,” says Viola-Brooke. “There is no reason why Richmond County should be ahead of Atlanta.”
Taking an approach that mirrors that of a larger city like Atlanta is what brought DA Williams to create his Major Crimes Division.
“We are the second largest city in the state. We needed a DA's office that reflected that reality. We needed the best and brightest. We needed to organize like a major city's DA's office,” he said.
As he and his team works to make sure these criminals do not continue walking free in Augusta, Williams issues his warning:
“To the gang members and people who do gun violence: we've got a gang too. To the child molesters and sexual predators: we're watching and we're ready. To the community: we're in this fight with you. We're not backing down, so stand with us.”
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This “Eyes on Trafficking” story is reprinted from its original online location.
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PBJ Learning is a leading provider of online human trafficking training, focusing on awareness and prevention education. Their interactive Human Trafficking Essentials online course is used worldwide to educate professionals and individuals how to recognize human trafficking and how to respond to potential victims. Learn on any web browser (even your mobile phone) at any time.
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EYES ON TRAFFICKING
This “Eyes on Trafficking” story is reprinted from its original online location.
ABOUT PBJ LEARNING
PBJ Learning is a leading provider of online human trafficking training, focusing on awareness and prevention education. Their interactive Human Trafficking Essentials online course is used worldwide to educate professionals and individuals how to recognize human trafficking and how to respond to potential victims. Learn on any web browser (even your mobile phone) at any time.
More stories like this can be found in your PBJ Learning Knowledge Vault.