GBI makes arrest in Hannah Bender murder case
News September 26, 2019DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has arrested Elizabeth Brooke Donaldson, 21, of Dawsonville. She is charged with tampering with evidence. Donaldson is the fiancee of Austin Todd Stryker, the subject of a nationwide manhunt in connect with the murder of Hannah Bender of Dahlonega.
Elizabeth Donaldson
Bender’s body was found Wednesday in a partially-wooded, partially pasture-land area on Parks Road in Forsyth County. She was reported missing 11 days ago by her mother Carol Gilreath.
In a press conference Wednesday, Lumpkin County Sheriff said the body was identified by the woman’s tattoos but positive identification will be made following a GBI autopsy. He did not reveal the cause of death.
Jarrard said questions asked by investigators led them to the body. He also said he expects to make other arrests in the case. In addition to Stryker, authorities are searching for 78-year-old Jerry Harper as a person of interest.
Authorities, including U.S. Marshals, are conducting a nationwide search for Stryker and 78-year-old Jerry Harper of Dawsonville. They are believed to be traveling together in a white Ford Explorer with tag PXH 4402.
A post on the West Virginia State Patrol office stated Stryker had been spotted in Clay County, West Virginia this week.
Hannah Bender’s father thanked Jarrard and Investigator Captain Marcus Sewell for their effort to locate his daughter and her killer. He also asked people to stop speculating on social media about his daughter’s death.
Anyone with information is asked to call Marcus Sewell at 706-974-6824.
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Court records show faith-based sobriety house leader’ extensive criminal history
News November 14, 2018
LUMPKIN, GA
Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office recently released a statement asking for information regarding an investigation into allegations made against the faith-based sobriety house, Experience of Grace Ministries. The sobriety house was ran by Starla Occhito, who was using the alias Starla Pope. After receiving reports of fraud and misconduct at the sobriety house, the LCSO arrested Occhito on November 9, and placed an additional hold on her for Arkansas, where she has an arrest warrant.
Experience of Grace Ministries social media history
Occhito’s extensive criminal history includes arrests in: 2010 for “Fraudulent Use of A Credit Card or Debit Card,” (Class C Felony), and in 2011 for “Theft of Property,” (Class C Felony). In 2011, Occhito was also sentenced to serve up to eight years at Whitworth Women’s Facility for, “Attempt to Violate Substance Act,” in which she served from October 7, 2015 to July 13, 2016. Six days after her release, Occhito created a Facebook for the Experience of Grace Prison Ministries, which is currently called Experience of Grace Ministries.
Experience of Grace Ministries
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Cpt. Marcus Sewell at 706-482-2619
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Suspect arrested in GBI rape investigation
Business November 14, 2018
DAHLONEGA, GA
Jose Luis Amaro Vasquez, 33, of Mexico, was arrested on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, by the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office in Dahlonega, GA.
In October 2018, LCSO had requested the GBI initiate an investigation into allegations of rape, cruelty to children, and false imprisonment. GBI Special Agent in Charge, Kimberly Williams, took the investigation. The case agent was able to corroborate the allegations through an exhaustive investigation with assistance from a bilingual Gainesville Police Department Detective. As a result, Vazquez was charged with two counts of rape, two counts of child cruelty, and one count of false imprisonment. Vazquez is currently housed in the Lumpkin County Jail.
State agents stated that they will hand the case over to the Enotah Judicial Circuit District Attorney for prosecution, once the investigation ends.
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Leader of faith-based recovery house arrested
News November 13, 2018DAHLONEGA, Ga. — The Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office today announced the arrest Starla Pope, the leader of a faith-based recovery house in Lumpkin County.
Captain Marcus Sewell said deputies were investigating alleged criminal activity at Experiences of Grace Ministries located in the 100 block of Tipton Drive. The investigation led deputies to Pope, also known as Starla Occhito, who operated the sobriety house.
The press release stated that the woman is also wanted in Arkansas where she was arrested for identity theft charges.
Sheriff Stacy Jarrard wants anyone who believes they may have been victimized through fraudulent activity to contact Captain Sewell at 706-482-2619.
The investigation is ongoing.
Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office seeks information regarding alleged criminal activity
Business November 13, 2018
DAHLONEGA, GA
According to a press release from the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, criminal activity has been reported against the faith-based sobriety house, Experience of Grace Ministries, located at 111 Tipton Dr., in Dahlonega. The sobriety house has been operated by Starla Pope.
Pope, who was known by the alias Starla Occhito, was arrested by LCSO for reports of fraudulent activity, and is being detained on a warrant from Arkansas. Captain Marcus Sewell, of LCSO, is asking for anyone who may have been victimized by Occhito to please file a report. Cpt. Sewell can be contacted at 706-482-2619.
This investigation is ongoing; follow Fetch Your News for updates.
FetchYourNews.com attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month for ad server. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and has between 15,000 to 60,000 per week Facebook page reach. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or visit [email protected]