Corrections employee, caught with pants down in office with inmate, says she's the victim in shocking prison scandal: Police

A former corrections employee in Georgia is accused of attempting to have sexual relations with an inmate and selling cigarettes to another prisoner, according to authorities.

Vickie Lynn Frantz, 56, was terminated from her job as a purchasing assistant at the Atlanta Transitional Center — a correctional facility — on Monday.

'My client is the victim of the whole situation, and yet she is falsely accused of those charges.'

Joan Heath — director of communications for the Georgia Department of Corrections — told WSB-TV that Frantz was hired in March 2024.

Image source: Georgia Department of Corrections

The U.S. Marshals Service arrested Frantz, and she was booked into the Fulton County Jail on Monday. Frantz was hit with felony charges of criminal intent to commit a felony and trading with inmates without the consent of the warden or superintendent, according to jail records.

A judge set her bond at $30,000.

WSB reported that an investigation was launched after a security guard reported witnessing Frantz welcome an inmate into her office.

Frantz — of Rome, Georgia — was about to have sex with an inmate in her office, police said.

The affidavit of arrest that Blaze News obtained from the Georgia Department of Corrections states that the witness saw the inmate enter Frantz's office around 1:30 p.m. on June 30.

"Accused Vickie Frantz committed criminal attempt to commit custodial sexual assault by allowing an inmate of the Georgia Department of Corrections into her office, then taking off her pants to allow sexual activity," the affidavit stated.

The affidavit added, "But a security staff member intervened before any sexual acts occurred. Vickie Frantz was caught in her office lying on an inmate bed mat with no pants on and an inmate standing over her."

Frantz also is accused of selling cigarettes to another inmate.

"Vickie Frantz unlawfully accepted a payment of $50 via Chime to bring five packs of cigarettes into Atlanta Transitional Center," the affidavit stated.

Despite the former corrections employee being in a position of power over inmates, Frantz's public defender said his client was the "victim."

"She was under duress, and she was threatened with her life actually to comply with the demand by the complaining witness," assistant public defender Jae Kim told WSB. "My client is the victim of the whole situation, and yet she is falsely accused of those charges."

Heath told WSB, "As we continue to demonstrate, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for individuals who choose to ignore their oath and jeopardize our non-negotiable mission of public safety. Actions of this individual do not reflect the hundreds of officers who are committed each and every day to ensuring the safety of the public and the safe operations of our facilities."

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'Break it!' Bodycam video shows moment cops save crying little kids locked in dangerously hot car for nearly an hour

Police bodycam video out of Georgia released earlier this week shows officers with the Cobb County Police Department responding to a June 4 report about children trapped inside a hot car.

"I am standing outside of the Dick's at Cumberland Mall, and there are two children in a car by themselves — small kids crying," the caller tells a 911 dispatcher. "The windows are cracked, but I don't think that's right. And we just came out of Dick's, and I heard kids crying."

'A big THANK YOU to the concerned citizens who called 911.'

Worse still, police video indicates that while the outside temperature reached a high of 87 degrees that day, the temperature inside the car was 117 degrees.

The caller estimated that the "little girl" inside the car was about a year old while the "little boy" was about 2 years old.

Police bodycam video shows officers arriving at the scene just after 1 p.m. and quickly deciding to bust a window.

"Break it!" one of the officers says, and that's exactly what happens:

Image source: Cobb County (Ga.) Police Department

In a flash, the doors are unlocked, and the rescue is underway.

"Hey, kiddies!" one officer says, trying to keep the children calm.

Image source: Cobb County (Ga.) Police Department

As an officer reaches down to free one child from the back seat, he can't help but notice the effect the heat has had after picking up the child: "Oh, you're hot."

The second child is lifted from the vehicle, too, and soon all is well.

Image source: Cobb County (Ga.) Police Department

Officials told WAGA-TV that an infrared thermometer was used to determine the 117-degree temperature inside the car.

The station said officers arrested J’quawn Dixon about a half an hour after the rescue; he was charged with second-degree cruelty to children.

Image source: Cobb County (Ga.) Police Department

Dixon was booked into the Cobb County Jail, his bond was set at $10,000, and he was released the next day, WAGA reported.

You can watch the complete police video below:

"A big THANK YOU to the concerned citizens who called 911," police said on Facebook. "Your quick action is the reason these kids are safe today. You saw something and did something, and that made all the difference."

Blaze News on Wednesday reached out to the Cobb County District Attorney's Office to get information on Dixon's next court date, but the DA's office said no information could be shared because the case is "currently under investigation."

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Male, female — both just 17 years old — accused in road rage shooting

A male and female — both just 17 years old — were charged in connection with a road rage shooting in Georgia.

Investigators with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office — with assistance from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office — said they arrested Miranda Myers of the 200 block of Gustav Court in North Augusta as well as Cameron Howard of the 4100 block of Sapling Lane in Augusta for a road rage shooting that took place just before 4:30 p.m. Sunday on Interstate 20 at mile marker 196.

There was no word on what sparked the incident, the station reported.

A driver told police he was heading west on I-20 when a white female — Myers — pulled up beside him in a blue Tesla, WJBF-TV reported. The driver said a black male passenger — Howard — pointed a gun out of the window and fired five to six shots at his car, the station added.

Image source: Richmond County (Ga.) Sheriff's Office

Richmond County Sheriff’s Office officials found a gray Toyota Camry with multiple bullet holes, WJBF reported.

The station said the Tesla left the scene, taking exit 194 — Belair Road — in Columbia County.

One victim was shot once in his ankle, WJBF said, and the other victim was shot once in her left shoulder.

Both victims were taken to Doctors Hospital, where they were listed in stable condition, the sheriff's office said.

There was no word on what sparked the incident, the station reported.

Myers and Howard both were charged with two counts of aggravated assault, the sheriff's office said, adding that Howard also was charged with one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Image source: Richmond County (Ga.) Sheriff's Office

The sheriff's office on Monday afternoon told Blaze News that both Myers and Howard are in the Charles B. Webster Detention Center on their listed charges. The sheriff's office added to Blaze News that there is no bond for aggravated assault, and they will be held until their first court appearance, where bond will be determined or denied.

The following is a sampling of comments about the arrests on the sheriff's office Facebook page:

"Man they’re so young!" one commenter said. "They have no idea how this one act will haunt them for the rest of their lives. I’m glad they were caught, and I hope this is a lesson learned, and it stops here."
"Whoever owns the Tesla has money and will be bailing one of them, if not both, out," another user said. "My guess is ... their money will pay for the charges to be reduced to misdemeanors, and they’ll never really be held accountable because 'they can’t ruin their lives.' I’ve seen it too many times, and rarely do the kids not repeat or do worse subsequently."
"I pray every time I’m on the road for God’s safe watch and protection," another commenter said. "My grandbabies are with me so much of the time, and these are the kind of drivers on the road with you!"

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Trump’s ICE busts 11 illegal Iranian nationals: Terror suspect, ex-sniper, and another with Hezbollah ties

Following the United States' weekend strike on Iranian nuclear enrichment sites, the Trump administration's Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the arrest of nearly a dozen Iranian nationals who are illegally in the country.

The former Biden administration's open-border policies have sparked concerns that potential terrorists and other threat actors have flooded into the U.S. undetected, raising the risk of the formation of sleeper cells.

'We don't wait until a military operation to execute; we proactively deliver on President Trump's mandate to secure the homeland.'

ICE's arrests, which took place over the weekend, included a suspected terrorist, an individual with admitted ties to Hezbollah, and an alleged former Iranian Army sniper, according to a Tuesday press release from ICE.

The Department of Homeland Security stated that the arrests reflect the agency's "commitment to keeping known and suspected terrorists out of American communities."

Immigration agents in Mississippi apprehended Yousef Mehridehno. The U.S. government terminated his residency in 2017 after it determined that he made false statements on his original visa application and potentially committed marriage fraud. The federal government in February listed Mehridehno as "a known or suspected terrorist," the press release said.

Yousef Mehridehno. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Mehran Makari Saheli, a former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps with admitted connections to Hezbollah, was arrested in Minnesota. He was previously convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and a judge ordered his removal in 2022.

Mehran Makari Saheli. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

ICE Atlanta arrested Ribvar Karimi, who was reportedly carrying his Islamic Republic of Iran Army identification card, which noted that he was previously an Iranian Army sniper from 2018 to 2021. ICE determined that he was eligible for removal after he entered the U.S. on a marriage visa in 2024 and allegedly broke federal law by failing to adjust his immigration status.

Ribvar Karimi. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Behzad Sepehrian Bahary Nejad, who was reportedly carrying a loaded firearm when ICE Houston arrested him, entered the country on a student visa in 2016 and was arrested the following year in Texas for allegedly assaulting his wife, impeding her breathing. His wife obtained a restraining order, claiming that he had threatened her and her family in Iran. An immigration judge ordered his removal in October 2019 after his status was terminated due to academic suspension.

Behzad Sepehrian Bahary Nejad. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

ICE Houston also arrested Hamid Reza Bayat, who was convicted of drug crimes and driving on a suspended license. An immigration judge previously ordered his removal nearly two decades ago.

Hamid Reza Bayat. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

In Phoenix, Arizona, federal immigration agents apprehended Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand, an illegal alien who received removal orders after he was convicted for threatening a law enforcement office and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Agents also arrested Linet Vartaniann, an American citizen, for allegedly harboring Eidivand and threatening to open fire on officers. The agency claimed that Vartaniann stated she would "shoot ICE officers in the head" if they entered her home.

Linet Vartaniann. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

ICE officials in Colorado Springs nabbed Mahmoud Shafiei and Mehrdad Mehdipour, two illegal aliens living together. Shafiei was convicted of drug crimes and previously arrested for alleged assault and child abuse. A judge ordered Shafiei's removal in 1987.

Mahmoud Shafiei. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Mehrdad Mehdipour. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Federal immigration agents in San Francisco apprehended Bahman Alizadeh Asfestani, who has a criminal history, including a conviction for theft and possession of a controlled substance for sale.

Bahman Alizadeh Asfestani. Image Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Mohammad Rafikian, who has a lengthy rap sheet, was arrested on Monday by ICE Buffalo. He was previously convicted of grand larceny, schemes to defraud, criminal impersonation, and practicing as an attorney.

Also on Monday, federal agents in San Diego grabbed Arkavan Babk Moirokorli, an illegal alien convicted of forging an official seal.

'Very commonly, such groups are engaging in criminal acts to raise money, promote propaganda, recruit assets, or source technology and equipment.'

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, "Under Secretary Noem, DHS has been full throttle on identifying and arresting known or suspected terrorists and violent extremists that illegally entered this country, came in through Biden's fraudulent parole programs or otherwise."

"We have been saying we are getting the worst of the worst out — and we are. We don't wait until a military operation to execute; we proactively deliver on President Trump's mandate to secure the homeland," she added.

When Blaze News contacted ICE for comment, it directed us to its press release. The agency would not respond to specific questions about the arrested illegal aliens' potential terrorist cell involvement, whether they had previously been under surveillance, or had known or suspected contact with Iranian officials.

Kyle Shideler, the director and senior analyst for homeland security and counterterrorism at the Center for Security Policy, told Blaze News, "While the term 'sleeper cell' captures the imagination, it's better to think of such cells as 'terrorist infrastructure.'"

"Very commonly, such groups are engaging in criminal acts to raise money, promote propaganda, recruit assets, or source technology and equipment," Shideler continued. "That doesn't mean they may not possess military or terrorist training and the ability to conduct attacks. But it does allow a proactive law enforcement approach, which seeks to find and remove such threats before it becomes truly dangerous. Aggressive immigration enforcement is good counterterrorism."

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'Get the hell off of her right now!' Gutsy Good Samaritan, 66, tackles carjacker, saves woman — and things get even wilder

Theresa Mackas was departing a Chevron station on Franklin Gateway in Marietta, Georgia, on Monday night when a male appeared, asked Mackas for a ride, and then bashed her with part of a metal bed frame, WAGA-TV reported.

Investigators noted to the station that surveillance video and witness statements indicated that the male in question had been pacing near Mackas' unoccupied Chevrolet Aveo parked at the station — and then he saw his opportunity when she tried to enter her car.

'It’s what we do — help. We were running through people that were just standing around in a parking lot.'

"I was just, 'Help! Help!'" Mackas later told the station. "He and I were wrestling, and we fell to the concrete. I was screaming as loud as I could, but nobody around the gas station came."

After about a minute into the attack, Gary and Anna Edwards and their family were walking out of a Cracker Barrel across the street — heard Mackas' cries for help, WAGA said.

"And we heard a lady scream bloody murder ... and I saw across the road this guy on top of this lady," Gary recalled to the station.

Gary took off running across the road — as did Anna, WAGA noted.

And Gary — all 66 years of him — flat-out bulldozed the brute, later identified as 32-year-old Rico Riley of Smyrna, the station said.

Mackas likely won't soon forget Gary's war cry, telling WAGA that "the next thing I heard was, 'Get the hell off of her right now!'"

Gary noted to the station that he "knocked him over, and then there was a little tussle on the ground."

Image source: Marietta (Ga.) Police Department

Police said the suspect ran off to a nearby intersection — and actually tried to carjack another vehicle, according to WAGA.

Worse still, a couple and a 2-year-old child were inside the Toyota RAV4 stopped at an intersection, the station said.

But Anna, Gary's wife, came to the rescue in a big way.

Gary noted to WAGA that she "met me at the edge of the road, gave me her gun. I rounded the vehicle that he was trying to get into on the passenger side."

Now armed, Gary ordered the crook to the ground and held him at gunpoint, the station said.

"He's spread-eagle, put [his] hands down, and was begging and pleading [for me] to let him go," Gary recalled to WAGA with a smile.

Anna told the station the she and her husband acted on instinct.

"It’s what we do — help," she told WAGA. "We were running through people that were just standing around in a parking lot."

Gary added to the station that "it’s what people should do if somebody's in danger."

After police arrived and took Riley away, he was booked into the Cobb County Adult Detention Center and charged with attempted armed robbery, attempted robbery by snatching, cruelty to children in the third degree, and possession of cocaine, WAGA reported.

The station said it isn't known when Riley will appear in court, and police did not release information about the victims.

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