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Covington man arrested on aggravated stalking charges
patel arrest

NEWTON COUNTY – A Covington man has been arrested on repeated aggravated stalking charges.

According to a press release from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO), Mitulkumar Patel, 42, was arrested on Jan. 31 on one count of aggravated stalking per the Georgia Family Violence Act and an additional count of aggravated stalking.

The arrest was handled in a joint effort by NCSO's domestic violence unit and the NCSO special investigations unit.

Deputies responded to a call on Jan. 13 referencing an aggravated stalking incident in the Berkshire Pass area in Covington.

The investigation found that the 37-year old female victim was being stalked by Patel – who was her estranged husband. Patel was not at the location when deputies arrived.

A press release stated the Jan. 13 incident was not the first stalking incident from Patel and that both the NCSO and the Covington Police Department previously responded to similar instances from the victim and the suspect.

According to an NCSO arrest report, a second incident reportedly occurred on Jan. 23, which brought forth the second aggravated stalking charge.

Following the joint investigation, a search warrant was executed at Patel’s residence, with evidence linking Patel to the crimes.


Newton County native charged with threatening school in Warren County
Mason Garrett taught at Warren County High School
mason garrett
Mason Garrett, a Newton County man, was arrested for making terroristic threats at Warren County High School. Photo via McDuffie County Sheriff's Office.

WARREN COUNTY — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) arrested a Newton County native who taught at a school 75 miles east of Covington.

Mason Garrett, 22, was arrested on April 29 for making verbal threats at Warren County High School (WCHS), where he is a teacher. 

According to a press release from the GBI, Garrett – a 2020 Alcovy High School graduate –  allegedly made verbal threats to shoot staff and students at WCHS. The incident reportedly occurred on school premises on April 24.

“On Monday, April 28, 2025, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer requested the GBI to investigate a potential incident involving terroristic threats and acts made by a teacher at the school,” the press release states.

The following day, the GBI arrested Garrett and charged him with one felony count of terroristic threats and acts. He was booked into the McDuffie County Jail.

The GBI is continuing to investigate the situation. Following the investigation, Garrett will be prosecuted in the Toombs Judicial Circuit.

The GBI requests that anyone with information call 706-595-2575. Additionally, anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or on the See Something, Send Something mobile app.