The Local Lowdown Podcast

IF YOU HAVEN’T HEARD FROM YOUR LOVED ONE AT FCI JESUP, THIS MAY BE WHY

JESUP, Ga. — Families waiting for a phone call from someone incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Jesup may finally have an explanation.

FCI Jesup has been without normal phone communications after a fiber-optic cable was severed during scheduled repair work Monday, according to information provided by prison officials.

The communications outage followed a planned power outage at the federal prison. As of Wednesday, Sept. 23, the phone disruption remained unresolved, and officials said there was no estimated timeline for completion of the repairs.

A MESSAGE TO FAMILIES

If you have not heard from your loved one at FCI Jesup, this is likely the reason why. The lack of communication does not necessarily mean something has happened to the person you are waiting to hear from. The institution is experiencing a facility-wide telephone outage related to the damaged fiber-optic cable.

Prison officials said staff members are continuing to notify attorneys and family members about the outage as legal-call requests and other inquiries are received.

Officials also said a “Town Hall” update was provided throughout the institution’s housing units so those incarcerated at FCI Jesup would know why telephone service was unavailable and understand the status of the outage.

For families on the outside, even a short interruption in communication can create significant concern, particularly when regular phone calls suddenly stop without warning.

At this point, officials have not announced when normal telephone service will be restored.

The Local Lowdown will update this story if additional information becomes available regarding restoration of service at FCI Jesup.

~The Local Lowdown

TWELVE ARREST CHARGES BECAME THREE IN ST. SIMONS CHILD EXPLOITATION CASE

BRUNSWICK, Ga. — A Glynn County grand jury has indicted a St. Simons Island man on three counts of sexual exploitation of children, more than a year after police announced his arrest on 12 charges involving child exploitation and illegal drugs.

A Glynn County grand jury indicted Lucas Pigge on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 on allegations that he possessed sexually explicit material involving a female child, according to reporting by The Brunswick News. Pigge reportedly remains free on bond.

The three-count indictment represents a substantial reduction from the charges announced by the Glynn County Police Department following Pigge’s arrest on August 7, 2025.

At the time, police announced four counts of sexual exploitation of children for possession, four counts for distribution, possession of ma*****na under one ounce, possession of co***ne, possession of M**A and possession of drug-related objects.

None of the four distribution allegations or four drug charges appeared in the reported indictment.

The Police Department’s original news release stated that a forensic examination of electronic devices seized from a residence on George Lotson Avenue confirmed the presence and dissemination of illegal material involving children. Police said the investigation was conducted with assistance from the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Police publicly reported that dissemination had been confirmed. Thirteen months later, the grand jury indictment reportedly contains no distribution charges.

Prosecutors routinely reduce or decline charges for legitimate reasons. Evidence may prove insufficient, searches may be challenged, multiple counts may involve the same conduct, or prosecutors may decide to pursue only the charges they believe can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The reduction alone does not establish wrongdoing or preferential treatment. However, the public record currently available does not explain what happened to nine of the 12 charges announced at the time of Pigge’s arrest.

It remains unclear whether the four distribution counts were rejected by the grand jury, withdrawn by prosecutors or never presented for consideration. It is also unclear what became of the four drug allegations, including the co***ne and M**A that police reported finding.

The public has also received no explanation for why 13 months passed between an arrest based on what police described as confirmed forensic evidence and an indictment containing only three possession counts.

The Local Lowdown is seeking the complete indictment and case docket from the Glynn County Clerk of Superior Court. We are also submitting questions to the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office and the Glynn County Police Department concerning the missing distribution and drug charges.

Pigge has not been convicted of any crime. An indictment is a formal accusation, not a finding of guilt, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Mr. Pigge, his attorney, the District Attorney’s Office and the Glynn County Police Department are invited to respond. Any response will be reported fairly and in context.

Anyone with information may contact the Glynn County Police Department’s non-emergency line at 912-554-3645 or Silent Witness at 912-264-1333.

Corrections may be submitted to [email protected]. Tips may be sent to [email protected].

WEST NILE VIRUS DETECTED IN GLYNN COUNTY MOSQUITOES

BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Health monitoring has identified West Nile virus in a mosquito sample collected in Glynn County, prompting additional treatment and surveillance in the affected area.

According to the Glynn County Board of Commissioners, the positive sample came from the Belle Point Creek area near King Cotton Road. Test results confirming the presence of the virus were received Friday, Sept. 18.

County officials emphasized that no human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Glynn County.

After receiving the positive result, Vector Disease Control International, Glynn County’s mosquito-control contractor, treated the surrounding area with targeted spraying and larval-control measures. Technicians also searched for standing water and other locations where mosquitoes could reproduce.

Enhanced trapping, testing and mosquito-control operations will continue throughout the area. Additional treatments may be performed if mosquito activity remains elevated or future samples test positive.

Residents can reduce their risk by applying insect repellent when outdoors, wearing long sleeves and pants when practical and removing standing water from containers, gutters, flowerpots, birdbaths and other areas around their homes.

Glynn County officials said mosquito populations and testing results will continue to be monitored. The county plans to notify the public if additional positive samples are identified.

BRUNSWICK COUPLE FEARS FOR SAFETY AFTER FALLING TREE DESTROYS CAR

BRUNSWICK, Ga. — A Brunswick couple says repeated warnings about a dead tree went unanswered before it crashed onto their vehicle and destroyed it last weekend.

Geraldine McDermott and Henry Baker have lived at Shady Acres, a Brunswick mobile home community owned by Parakeet Communities, for approximately 10 years. The property is heavily wooded, but the couple believes some of the trees have become dangerous because of disease and internal decay.

McDermott said they notified property management about the tree roughly six months before it fell. According to her, management said someone would follow up within a week, but the problem was never addressed.

The couple’s concerns became reality Saturday when the tree fell directly onto Baker’s car, causing enough damage for the vehicle to be considered a total loss.

McDermott said management initially appeared to believe that only a small branch had fallen. She said she explained that the entire tree had come down and destroyed the vehicle, but the couple still received no meaningful response.

Their fears now extend beyond the loss of the car. The couple said a tree inspector identified two additional diseased trees near their rented mobile home that may also be at risk of falling.

McDermott said she no longer feels safe sleeping inside the home because she fears another tree could fall during the night. She is also concerned that a falling tree could strike a child or another resident.

Under Georgia law, responsibility for damage caused by a fallen tree can depend on whether the property owner knew, or reasonably should have known, that the tree was dead, diseased or otherwise hazardous. The couple’s claim that management received advance notice could become important if responsibility for the damage is disputed.

McDermott and Baker said they have contacted Parakeet Communities several times without receiving a response. Action News Jax also attempted to reach the company online and by telephone but reported that its inquiries were unsuccessful. A reporter who visited the leasing office was told the property was private and was asked to leave.

The couple says the destroyed car can eventually be replaced, but their greatest concern is preventing a more serious tragedy.

“These trees are gonna kill us or kill a child,” McDermott said. “You can’t replace the child, but we can replace our car.”

Parakeet Communities has not publicly responded to the allegations or stated whether the remaining trees will be inspected or removed.

FORMER KINGSLAND POLICE SERGEANT FACES SEVEN FELONY CHARGES IN STOLEN PROPERTY INVESTIGATION

KINGSLAND, Ga. — A former Kingsland Police Department sergeant is facing seven felony charges after investigators allegedly connected him to a stolen pickup truck, trailer, lawn mower and police equipment.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified the former officer as 33-year-old Dereck Thomas of Kingsland. Thomas is charged with three counts of theft by receiving stolen property, along with one count each of theft by taking, removing or falsifying an identification number, filing false documents and violating his oath of office.

The investigation began on Nov. 26, 2024, after Kingsland police requested the GBI’s assistance with the disappearance of a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado from a local Bennett automobile dealership.

The truck resurfaced on June 25, 2026, when authorities stopped it at an inspection station in Yulee, Florida. According to the GBI, Thomas was behind the wheel and towing a trailer reported stolen from the Camden County School System.

Investigators said the trailer contained a lawn mower that had also been reported stolen from the Bennett dealership property in Kingsland. Two tablets belonging to the Glynn County Police Department were allegedly found in Thomas’ possession as well.

Thomas was still employed by the Kingsland Police Department when the vehicle was stopped, although he was off duty at the time. Police Chief Rick Evans said Thomas was immediately placed on administrative leave while the GBI conducted the criminal investigation and the department opened a separate internal affairs investigation.

The internal investigation concluded that Thomas had violated multiple departmental policies, according to the department. He was subsequently terminated from his position.

Evans said the department requested an independent GBI investigation to protect the integrity of the case. He emphasized that wearing a badge does not place anyone above the law and said accountability and transparency are required of every member of the department.

Thomas surrendered to authorities on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, and was booked into the Camden County Jail.

The GBI said the investigation remains active. Once it is completed, the agency will submit its findings to the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review and possible prosecution.

Anyone with information concerning the investigation may contact the GBI’s Kingsland Regional Investigative Office at 912-729-6198 or the Kingsland Police Department at 912-729-8254. Anonymous information may be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477) or through the See Something, Send Something mobile application.

The charges are allegations. Thomas is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Don’t have plans? Check out the Feel Good Festival.

🎬✨ Saturday plans = handled.

After the Discover Norwich Multicultural Festival, stick around for a FREE movie under the stars! 🌙🍿

💛 FEEL GOOD FESTIVAL: Movie in the Park
🎥 The Iron Giant
📅 Saturday, September 19
🍔 Picnic Hour | 7 PM
🎬 Movie Begins | 8 PM
📍 1723 Norwich Street

Hosted by Golden Isles Film Festival & SoGlo Theatre, bring your blankets, lawn chairs and favorite people, grab dinner from the food trucks at the Multicultural Festival, and settle in for a feel-good night on Norwich Street. ✨

Make a whole day of it! Explore the Discover Norwich Multicultural Festival from 2–7 PM, then stay for the movie.

📲 And keep the Feel Good going all month long! Grab your FREE Feel Good Festival Digital Passport to unlock special September-only offers at participating downtown businesses.

Find the passport + remaining festival events at the link in bio 💛

KINDNESS COULD SAVE A LIFE: A COMMUNITY CALL TO CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER

BRUNSWICK, Ga. — The person smiling beside you may be fighting a battle you cannot see. The coworker who seems distracted may be caring for a sick parent. The neighbor who has withdrawn may be grieving. The child who suddenly becomes quiet may be afraid to reveal what is happening at school or online. The stranger you pass in a store may be using every ounce of strength just to make it through another day.

We rarely know the full weight another person is carrying physically, mentally, emotionally or financially. That is why kindness matters. A patient response, a sincere conversation or a simple question such as “Are you doing okay?” can reach someone at the exact moment they need to know they are not alone.

Mental health is not a subject our community can afford to avoid. Struggling emotionally is not a personal failure, and asking for help is not weakness. Silence often allows pain to deepen. Honest conversations can open the door to support, treatment and hope.

Parents and caregivers must remain involved in their children’s lives, including their online lives. Children also need to know they can be honest without immediately being judged, punished or dismissed. Sudden withdrawal, anxiety, changes in sleep, declining grades, lost friendships or fear of using a phone may signal that something is wrong.

According to the CDC, bullying can cause physical, psychological, social and educational harm, while strong connections to family, school and supportive adults can help protect young people’s well-being. CDC bullying information

Adults are not immune. Fake profiles, cyberstalking, coordinated harassment, public humiliation, rumors and hateful comments can cause real harm. A cruel post may take seconds to publish, but the person targeted may carry its effects into work, family life and every quiet moment afterward. No joke, rumor, fake account or angry comment is worth another human being’s peace of mind or life.

Social media should never make us forget that a real person exists on the other side of the screen. Before posting, sharing or commenting, we should ask whether the information is true, whether it is necessary and whether it could cause needless harm. Disagreement is part of life. Dehumanizing someone should never be.

Kindness does not require money, status or authority. It can be checking on a quiet friend, sitting with a child who feels excluded, refusing to participate in online cruelty, helping someone locate counseling or simply listening without interrupting. It also means taking threats and harassment seriously, saving evidence, reporting abusive accounts and contacting law enforcement when someone’s safety may be in danger.

If someone tells you they are struggling, believe them. Do not tell them to “get over it” or compare their pain to someone else’s. Listen. Stay present. Help them connect with someone qualified to provide support. You may not have every answer, but you can help them avoid facing the crisis alone.

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, a mental health crisis or thoughts of su***de, call or text 988 or use the online chat at 988lifeline.org. The 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential support 24 hours a day. Georgia residents may also contact the Georgia Crisis and Access Line at 1-800-715-4225, which is available around the clock. If someone is in immediate physical danger, call 911.

Brunswick and the Golden Isles can be a community where people feel seen instead of judged, supported instead of isolated and protected instead of targeted. That begins in our homes, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods and online conversations.

We cannot always see another person’s pain, but we can always choose not to add to it. One kind word may not solve every problem, but it could give someone enough hope to keep going.

If we want a better future, we must build that future together, one conversation, one act of courage and one act of kindness at a time.

Have a beautiful weekend with those you love!

988 Lifeline At the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life’s challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you’re facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns…

FORMER FCI JESUP OFFICER SENTENCED IN $80,000 CONTRABAND AND BRIBERY SCHEME

JESUP, Ga. — A former federal correctional officer will spend four years in prison for accepting bribes to smuggle drugs, cell phones and other prohibited items into the Federal Correctional Institution in Jesup.

Ashley Brown, 37, of Hinesville, received a 48-month federal prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release. Brown pleaded guilty to 24 counts of a public official accepting a bribe and 16 counts of money laundering.

Federal court records state that Brown worked as a correctional officer and material handler supervisor at FCI Jesup. Between May and September 2022, inmates allegedly sent her payments through Cash App in exchange for bringing contraband into the facility.

Investigators determined that Brown received more than $80,000 through the operation. Authorities said she smuggled methamphetamine, synthetic ma*****na commonly known as K2, ma*****na and cell phones into the prison. The items were then provided to inmates who distributed them to others through the facility’s commissary system.

Two inmates involved in the scheme have also been sentenced. Adrian Sims, 53, received 78 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possessing contraband in prison.

Navarus Bryant, 48, was sentenced to 57 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Bryant pleaded guilty to 24 counts of paying a bribe to a public official and 24 counts of money laundering.

U.S. District Judge Lisa Godbey Wood imposed the sentences. The case was announced by Margaret E. “Meg” Heap, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

REMEMBERING BRIGGS GILLILAND: A MESSAGE OF COMPASSION AND AWARENESS 💔🥲

BRUNSWICK, Ga. - On Sunday, September 13, The Local Lowdown received information concerning the death of 19-year-old Briggs Gilliland. Because of the sensitivity of the situation and conflicting information about what happened, we did not publish anything immediately. We waited several days while attempting to obtain clarification from the coroner and law enforcement. We did not make our original post until Wednesday, September 16. We have not receive a callback.

Our intention was never to sensationalize Briggs’s death, intrude upon anyone’s grief, or cause additional pain. Since making the post, one thing has become overwhelmingly clear: Briggs was deeply loved by his friends, family, and many people throughout this community. Nothing but wonderful things have been said about him and the impact he had on those who knew him.

We believe the focus should now remain on compassion, su***de awareness, communication, and prevention. Young people need to know that struggling does not make them weak and that asking for help is never something to be ashamed of. Parents, friends, teachers, coaches, and neighbors should continue checking on the young people in their lives, listening without judgment, and reminding them that they are not alone.

We are not asking the public to investigate this tragedy or engage in online speculation. If anyone has credible, firsthand information that differs from what has already been provided to law enforcement, please contact the appropriate law-enforcement agency directly.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Briggs’s family, his friends, and every person in the community grieving this heartbreaking loss. May he be remembered for the life he lived, the friendships he created, and the many people who clearly loved him.

If you or someone you know is struggling or experiencing a crisis, call or text 988 for free and confidential support. Below are the original screenshots from a concerned parent.

Too often, we choose silence over awareness. Open communication is key to understanding, compassion, and prevention. Godspeed. 🙏🏻

THE LOCAL LOWDOWN IS SEEKING INFORMATION
TRIGGER WARNING - POSSIBLE SENSITIVE INFO 💔

BRUNSWICK, GA - The Local Lowdown has received credible information concerning the death of 19-year-old Briggs Gilliland over the weekend. As of today, we have not located a public statement from the investigating agency or news coverage explaining what happened.

We understand that deaths involving possible su***de are handled with sensitivity and respect for the family. However, the death of a 19-year-old remains newsworthy, particularly when people close to him have unanswered questions about the events leading up to it.

We are asking anyone with direct, firsthand information to contact The Local Lowdown privately. This includes anyone who communicated with Briggs over the weekend, knew where he planned to go, saw him that day, knew whether he possessed a fi***rm, or has relevant messages, photographs, videos, or other information that could help establish an accurate timeline.

Please preserve original messages and files. Do not post names, screenshots, accusations, or theories in the comments. We can discuss withholding your identity from publication, but we will still need to verify how you obtained the information.

The Local Lowdown is not declaring how Briggs died or accusing anyone of committing a crime. Our goal is to separate verified facts from rumors, encourage firsthand witnesses to come forward, and determine why so little information has been made public.

Information may be sent directly to The Local Lowdown through private message. Anyone possessing evidence that may be relevant to the death should also provide it to the appropriate law-enforcement agency.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 for confidential support.

We have reached out to the coroner’s office and to GCPD with no response.