Cherokee County man convicted in ATV theft case
Hal Beaumont Beacham III was convicted of stealing a 2019 green Polaris Sportsman 450 ATV from his neighbor's yard in Cherokee County.
Security footage, trail camera images, and information from Beacham's associates linked him to the theft, leading to his conviction.
The trial included 37 exhibits and testimony from seven witnesses, resulting in a guilty verdict after four and a half hours of jury deliberation.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. - A Cherokee County man has been convicted of stealing an all-terrain vehicle from his neighbor's yard, prosecutors announced Wednesday.
A jury on Tuesday found Hal Beaumont Beacham III, 43, of Acworth, guilty of theft by taking following a two-day trial in Cherokee County Superior Court.
The backstory
The case stemmed from a January 2023 investigation by the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office after a resident reported that his 2019 green Polaris Sportsman 450 had been stolen from his yard on Jan. 25. Authorities later obtained security footage and trail camera images that showed a man driving the stolen ATV. Multiple associates of Beacham also provided information linking him to the theft, according to prosecutors.
The ATV was eventually found abandoned on a nearby property.
The trial was held May 19–20 in the courtroom of Superior Court Judge Jennifer L. Davis. Prosecutors presented 37 exhibits, including surveillance video, photographs, and witness interviews, and called seven witnesses to testify, including the victim and law enforcement officers.
Jurors deliberated for approximately four and a half hours before delivering a guilty verdict on the sole charge.
The Source
The details in this article were provided by the Cherokee County District Attorney's Office.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
10 hours ago
- USA Today
Rapper Ca$h Out sentenced to life in prison on rape, prostitution ring charges
Rapper Ca$h Out was sentenced to life in prison on Monday, July 21, after being convicted in a rape and racketeering case in Georgia, attorneys said. The Atlanta-based rapper, whose legal name is John-Michael Gibson, was found guilty July 18, of charges including rape, aggravated sodomy and violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act for leading a prostitution enterprise, a spokesperson for the Fulton County District Attorney's Office told USA TODAY. Gibson was also convicted of two counts of trafficking a person, pimping, pandering, keeping a place of prostitution, battery, possession of a firearm during commission of felony and other crimes, Fulton County media relations director Pallavi Bailey said. He was found not guilty of felony aggravated assault, Gibson's defense Attorney Careton R. Matthews said. During the trial, Matthews told USA TODAY he argued the state failed to prove its case, called some of the charges against him "overblown," and said testimony from the accusers showed they "voluntarily reconnected with Gibson and contradicted themselves repeatedly." Gibson, who rose to fame more than a decade ago with hits including "Cashin' Out" and "She Twerkin," had been on trial since June 2 before Fulton County Superior Court Judge Melynee Leftridge. Gibson's mother, Linda Smith, and his friend, Tyrone Taylor, were also convicted in connection to the case in which prosecutors told a 12-person jury they ran a business and lured victims into prostitution. 'A little bit naive': Linkin Park talks Emily Armstrong backlash, the Chester Bennington song they won't play Ca$h Out's mother, friend co-defendants in case Before sentencing, the judge said evidence at trial had "shown the very worst of human behavior toward other human beings," local media outlet WXIA-TV reported. The judge said the verdict reflected prosecutors had "proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the diabolical conduct of the defendants occurred, and her sentence would be responsive to that." The judge sentenced Gibson to life and an additional 70 years in connection to the case. Smith was sentenced to 30 years for her crimes, and Taylor received the same sentence as Gibson, Matthews confirmed. "We do respect the court's process and jury's decision, however we're disappointed with the verdict and the sentence," Matthews said Monday afternoon. "He maintains his innocence on many of these charges and may file an appeal or a motion for a new trial." Murder retrial? Man convicted in infamous 1979 Etan Patz slaying could get new trial Who is Ca$h Out? Ca$h Out, is 34, and was born in Columbus, Georgia. He signed with Epic Records to release his 2011 single "Cashin' Out", which peaked at No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100. In August 2014, Gibson released the album, 'Let's Get It," supported by the single hit, 'She Twerkin." Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
4 days ago
Fire truck found at Southern California man's home, police charge suspect for impersonating first responder
A Southern California man has been charged for allegedly impersonating a firefighter after officials found a fire truck and other first responder gear at his home, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office. Steve Farzam, 47, was charged on Thursday with 28 criminal counts for a "string of alleged crimes that occurred between 2023 and May of this year, including impersonating a firefighter during the Palisades Fire, assaulting a first responder and discharging a laser at aircrafts," the district attorney's office said in a press release on Thursday. "This defendant's alleged actions reflect a disturbing pattern of lawlessness and disregard for public safety. If proven, this type of escalating conduct undermines the integrity of our emergency response systems and erodes public trust and we will use every single legal tool available to hold the defendant accountable," Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement. The investigation into Farzam began earlier this month when the Los Angeles Police Department started looking into cases "involving pilots being struck by a laser while piloting commercial aircraft and helicopters around West Los Angeles area," according to a press release from the LAPD. The incident occurred back on Feb. 21, when the suspect pointed a blue laser on law enforcement and commercial aircraft, according to ABC Los Angeles station KABC. This investigation "led to an individual named Steven Farzam," with police then filing 28 counts of felony and misdemeanor charges against him and securing a search warrant, police said. On Wednesday, the suspect was taken into custody and officials served a "multi-location search warrant at Farzam's residences in West Los Angeles," police said. During the search, police found two utility vehicles with California exempt license plates, police and fire light package equipment for vehicles, radios, first responder identifications, a Pierce Fire Engine, multiple rounds of ammunition, "various fraudulent documents relating to a fictitious Fire Department and other first responder paraphernalia," officials said. The fire truck that was discovered at his home had burn marks on the top of it and was registered to the Santa Muerte Fire Department, which does not exist, officials said. Officials believe on Jan. 16, Farzam "posed as a firefighter during the Palisades Fire, gaining access to restricted emergency zones and interfering with emergency operations," according to the district attorney's office. During Farzam's arraignment on Thursday, Deputy District Attorney David Ayvazian said that during the Palisades Fire, the suspect "tried to badge his way into fire zones, which he successfully did at least three times -- pretending to be an arson investigator," according to KABC. Farzam faces six counts of discharging a laser at an aircraft, three counts of assault with a deadly or dangerous weapon, four counts of assault upon a peace officer, one count of impersonation of a public officer, one count of carrying a loaded unregistered handgun in a vehicle, seven counts of perjury by declaration and one count of procuring and offering false or forged instrument, officials said. He also faces the two misdemeanor charges of impersonating a fire officer and trespassing on closed lands, the district attorney's office said. Farzam pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Thursday and he is currently being held in custody without bail, the district attorney's office said. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 28, officials said. Farzam's public defender said in court on Thursday that the suspect should be granted bail, according to KABC. "There is not a substantial likelihood that his release would result in great bodily harm to anyone," the public defender said.
Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
Ex-USC star Jordan Addison, found asleep at the wheel of a Rolls, won't get jail time in DUI case
Minnesota Vikings receiver Jordan Addison will avoid jail time for his 2024 DUI citation after pleading no contest to a lesser charge Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court. The former USC standout was arrested in July 2024 when a California Highway Patrol officer found him sleeping behind the wheel of a Rolls-Royce that was blocking traffic near Los Angeles International Airport. Addison pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor drunk-driving charges in December; those charges were dismissed Thursday after Addison entered a no-contest plea to the charge of 'wet reckless driving upon a highway.' 'While Mr. Addison's case would have made for a great trial, I admire him for taking responsibility by accepting the City Attorney's 'wet reckless' offer,' Addison's attorney, Jacqueline Sparagna, said in a statement. 'Now he can put this incident behind him and solely focus on his promising career.' Addison was sentenced to 12 months' probation and is required to pay a $390 fine and complete two online courses. In a statement posted to X, Addison's agent Tim Younger said the expectation was that 'his probation will be terminated early in six months.' 'Over the past year, he voluntarily participated in MADD events and programs and, after reflection, decided to enter this plea understanding the ramifications of this decision,' Younger wrote. 'He has kept the organization apprised throughout these legal proceedings, and will continue in his full commitment to being a valuable member of his team.' Had Addison been convicted on the charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with 0.08% blood-alcohol level, he could have faced up to six months in jail, been fined up to $1,000 and had his license suspended for as long as 10 months. According to the NFL's policy and program on substances of abuse, Addison still could face a three-game suspension without pay, with some 'aggravating circumstances' allowing for a harsher penalty. The league said in a statement Thursday that the matter 'remains under review.' Addison spent the first two years of his college career at the University of Pittsburgh, winning the Fred Biletnikoff Award for best receiver in the country after catching 100 passes for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns during the 2021 season. After catching 59 passes for 875 yards and eight touchdowns at USC the following season, Addison was selected by Minnesota at No. 23 overall in the 2023 draft. He has 133 catches for 1,786 yards and 19 touchdowns in two seasons with the Vikings.
