JUSTIN JONES FOUND GUILTY AND SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE FOLLOWED BY 30 YEARS FOR KIDNAPPING AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2024

On March 27, 2024, Justin Jones, 37, of Carrollton, was found guilty by a Carroll County jury of Kidnapping with Bodily Injury, Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats, Battery, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony. Following the verdict Carroll County Superior Court Judge Blackmon sentenced Jones to Life in prison without the possibility of parole followed by 30 years in prison.

Assistant District Attorneys Wade Mason and Laura Lukert prosecuted the case with DA Investigator Becky Byrd and Victim Advocate Katelynn Culbreath. Det. Dan Keever with the Carrollton Police Department led the investigation, which revealed the following:

On May 5, 2021, the victim met Jones in the parking lot of a local gym to discuss problems with their romantic relationship. Once the victim arrived, Jones grabbed her by her hair, pulled her into his car, and beat her in the head and face with his hands and a handgun. Jones then drove her to a BP gas station, a local church, and a Dollar General while he continued to abuse and beat her. The State introduced video surveillance footage from all four locations showing Jones’ vehicle at these locations.

Jones then took the victim to a dirt road, forced her on her knees, and put the gun to her head as he threatened to kill her. However, instead of killing her, Jones took her to a shed at his relative’s house for the entire night before returning her to her car at the gym the next day. In addition to the victim’s testimony about the abuse, the State admitted photographs showing her bruised and swollen face as well as medical records from Tanner Medical Center where the victim was diagnosed with injuries consistent with physical abuse. In addition to the victim’s emotional testimony, another girlfriend of Jones testified that he had physically abused her for more than a decade.

After acknowledging Jones’ history of violence towards women and children, which included multiple prior convictions, Judge Blackmon declared that Jones’ “reign of terror ends today,” before sentencing him to Life without the possibility of parole. While it is tragic that Jones has been able to torment and harm so many innocent people in his life, in this case the judicial system achieved justice with this guilty verdict and sentence. This case should serve as notice to domestic abusers in our community that they face substantial prison sentences for their violence. However, this case should also give hope to those who suffer domestic violence. If they come forward for help, local law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office, and the judicial system will protect them and pursue justice for them.

JOHN HERBERT CRANFORD, JR.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
COWETA JUDICIAL CIRCUIT