Man faces three aggravated assault counts

James Allen Washington, 34, of Adel was charged Nov. 8 with three counts of aggravated assault, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Douglas Office. 

According to warrants taken in the case, during offense times between 7 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. Dec. 21, 2021, Washington assaulted a woman and two men by firing a Taurus 9 mm pistol into a home where the victims were located on Cherokee Avenue in Sparks.

Washington has been held in the Cook County Jail since Dec. 30, 2021, when he was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and probation violation, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a warrant taken by the GBI, at about 1 p.m. Dec. 30, 2021, Washington was in possession of a Taurus Millennium 9 mm firearm at a Brookside Drive, Adel, address. He was convicted of sale of cocaine on Aug. 14, 2009, in Cook County Superior Court.

On Jan. 5, 2022, Cook County Magistrate Judge Ronnie Fender denied bond (pretrial release) for Washington. According to the judge’s order, “the accused poses a significant threat or danger to people and property in the community,” and “the accused poses a significant risk of committing a felony pending trial.” Also, the defendant was already on probation for felony charges, including possession of cocaine; manufacture/possess, etc., controlled or counterfeit substance near a park or housing project; possession of tools for the commission of a crime; and receipt, possession, or transport of a firearm by a convicted felon. Washington may still seek bond in a hearing before a Superior Court judge.

According to information reported during the first appearance/bond hearing in Magistrate Court, Washington has completed school through the 10th grade, has resided 12 years at his current home address, and has been employed. He has requested a court-appointed defense attorney. 

Other recent criminal cases of note (all cases are pending in Cook County Superior Court):

Drug offenses

Daniel Rafael Pico Raffucci, 29, of Roswell, Ga., was arrested Nov. 6 and charged with possession of a Schedule I controlled substance – felony (nine containers of THC wax), possession of marijuana (cultivated marijuana), and speeding (88 mph in a 70-mph zone), according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

The arrest was made after a traffic stop at about 1:55 p.m. Nov. 6 at Interstate 75 Mile Marker 47 Northbound.

Raffucci was released from jail Nov. 8 on a $10,200 property bond. The accused has been employed and has declined a court-appointed defense attorney.  

Theft by taking

Kimberly Rae Bell, 41, of Valdosta was arrested Nov. 7 and charged with theft by taking, according to the Adel Police Department and Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a warrant taken by Adel Police, on Aug. 11, 2022, Ms. Bell stole a wheelbarrow (value of $60) from a South Elm Street, Adel, address.

Ms. Bell was released the same date of arrest on a $1,200 bond.