This column is part of a weekly round-up of notable grand jury indictments and court decisions, following through on cases reported by Savannah Morning News public safety reporter Drew Favakeh. If there are cases you're curious about, email Drew atAFavakeh@Gannett.com.
Ahmad Moore pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter
On June 21, Ahmad Moore pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, according to a review of court records. Moore was sentenced to 20 years, including five years to serve and 15 years on probation.
On March 9, 2021, a Chatham County grand jury indicted Moore for malice murder, two counts of felony murder, one count of criminal attempt to commit a felony, aggravated assault, and five counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
According to the motion to nolle prosequi ("not wish to prosecute") filed on June 20, Chatham County prosecutors did not pursue those counts because Moore "is entering guilty pleas to other charges." Before the plea was reached, Moore's jury trial had been scheduled for June 24.
According to previous reporting by the Savannah Morning News, Savannah Police, in collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force (SERFTF) and the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Moore on Feb. 4, 2020, in Guyton, Georgia in relation to the shooting death of Darian Clark Jr., 19.
On Jan. 12, 2020, officers found Clark suffering from life-threatening gunshot injuries. He was transported to the hospital for treatment where he died eight days later.
Man indicted for homicide by vehicle
On June 26, a Chatham County grand jury indicted Romarie Rakwon Harris for homicide by vehicle in the first degree, driving under the influence and speeding.
According to the indictment, Harris was driving a 2012 Dodge Charger on Wheaton Street near the intersection of Live Oak Street on Jan. 10, 2021; however, Savannah Morning News has verified through a Savannah Police incident report that the correct time and date of the fatal crash was 2:40 a.m., Jan. 11, 2022. The indictment alleges that Harris was speeding at 111 miles per hour (mph) in a 30-mph zone while also under the influence of alcohol when the accident occured and killed Saddiq Pinkston, a passenger in the car, “without malice afterthought.”
A bond hearing in the case is scheduled for July 26.
Women indicted for posing as lawyer
On June 26, a Chatham County grand jury indicted a woman for two counts of forgery in the first degree, two counts of identity fraud, four counts of theft by deception and six counts of unauthorized practice of law.
The indictment alleges that the woman, Sharong Nicole Smith, who also went by Nicole Johnston, made a notice of appearance of counsel in a Chatham County Recorder’s Court Case on behalf of another attorney, Amy DeLozier, and “willfully and fraudulently [used] a name and bar license number.”
Additionally, Smith wrote an “answer” in a Magistrate Court case. Smith also “unlawfully [obtained]” more than $6,000 from four people, claiming she would perform legal services for them, according to the indictment.
According to media reports, Smith was arrested in 2010 in Savannah for theft by deception and deposit account fraud. Smith worked for an Effingham County Judge as a paralegal from 2020 through December 2021 when she was fired for failing to return a computer with sensitive data on it, according to media reports.
There are no hearings scheduled yet in the case.
Former Savannah Police administrative assistant indicted for stealing funds
On June 26, a Chatham County grand jury indicted a former Savannah Police Department (SPD) administrative assistant for three counts of theft by taking and three counts of theft by deception. Between January 2020 and January 2024, Tiffany Welch-Nealy stole about $158,000 in payroll and overtime funds, the indictment alleges.
In March 2019, Welch-Nealy was hired as a police administrative assistant at the Southside Precinct, according to SPD Public Safety Communications Manager Neil Penttila. Welch-Nealy's employment was terminated by SPD on March 1, 2024. The crime was concealed by Welch-Nealy until it was discovered in January 2024, according to the indictment.
"The City of Savannah acknowledges the ongoing investigation involving a former employee and trusts that the justice system will handle the matter appropriately,” Penttila said in an emailed statement to SMN. “We remain committed to serving the residents of Savannah with integrity and honesty."
Arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 9.
Former Savannah Police officer indicted for robbery
On June 26, a Chatham County grand jury indicted former Savannah Police officer Ernest Ferguson for robbery by sudden snatching. According to the indictment, Ferguson entered a Belk’s Store on Dec. 27, 2023, requested to view the most expensive watch, and after being shown a Rolex, grabbed the watch and ran away from the store.
The indictment comes as Ferguson is facing a lawsuit from the family of Saudi Lee, which was filed on June 21 of this year. While on duty for SPD, Ferguson shot and killed Lee in the Carver Village neighborhood on June 24, 2022. As previously reported by the Savannah Morning News, the suit goes into intricate detail about Ferguson’s killing of Lee, calling it “senseless and unjustified.”
The completed Georgia Bureau of Investigation case file for the Ferguson shooting was delivered to the Chatham DA's Office on Aug. 29, 2022, GBI spokesperson Lindsay Smith confirmed via email. The Chatham DA's investigation into Ferguson for the Lee shooting remains ongoing.
There are no hearings scheduled in the shoplifting case.
Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at AFavakeh@Gannett.com.
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