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Police say no kidnapping reports
Church group approaching shoppers is legitimate, CPD says
Covington Police
David Clemons
Published: Nov 11, 2019, 1:56 PM

COVINGTON, Ga. — The buzz on social media around Newton County this weekend was about kidnapping threats reported around local businesses.

Police said there was no truth to the talk.

Justin Stott, criminal intelligence officer and public information officer for Covington police, said he checked reports Sunday and found nothing to back up the claims making the rounds.

In a Facebook post later in the day, the Police Department addressed the rumors. It noted people said they’ve been approached by people attempting to engage them in conversation at Newton Plaza and near the Walmart.

“There is an actual church group that gathers in these areas on Friday evenings and shares information about their ministries,” the Police Department said.

“This group is known to the police and is legitimate.”
Newton County jury finds Covington man guilty of felony murder
Shane Robinson
Shane Robinson - photo by Courtesy of the Newton County Sheriff's Office
Kate Verity
Published: Mar 31, 2025, 9:15 PM

NEWTON COUNTY – On Monday afternoon, 30-year-old Shane Alexander Robinson of Covington was found guilty of killing Charles Edward Stanley III over three years ago.

The Newton County District Attorney’s Office released that a jury deemed that Robinson was guilty on three charges: Felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

On March 5, 2022, sometime between 11 p.m. and midnight, Robinson shot an AR-style firearm at a vehicle that Stanley was driving along Harvey Wood Drive. According to the District Attorney’s release, Robinson fired the weapon 13 times into the vehicle, killing Stanley.

According to a previous report by The Covington News, an arrest warrant stated that Robinson “grabbed his AR-15 (rifle) and drove” from his home to Harvey Wood Drive to “scare” Stanley.

“When Charles was backing up, Shane admitted to firing several rounds at the vehicle,” the 2022 warrant stated. “Furthermore, Shane also initially stated that he fired rounds at the vehicle as it was driving away.”

Robinson initially faced charges of murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, unauthorized discharge of firearms within 50 yards of the public highway, and reckless conduct. It is not clear if some of these charges were dismissed.

Sentencing is set for a later date, which has not been announced. A co-defendant’s case is still pending.