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Newton County Sheriff's Office graduates eight from the Welding Training Program
welders
Staff Report
Published: Nov 25, 2024, 3:49 PM

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office, with its continual partnership with Action, Inc., graduated eight inmate residents from the Welding Training Program on Nov. 15, 2024.

The eight inmate residents who graduated from the Welding Training Program were: Phillip Jester, Jean Alix Predestin, Jovan Brown, Curtis Goss Jr., James Fuqua, Dexter Cherry, Kevin McMonagle, William Elliot and Jamarcus Simms. Through the NCSO’s Workforce Development Office, the inmate residents have the opportunity to become employed upon release from the Newton County Detention Center. The starting pay rate for the field of welding begins at $18-22/hour, and there are no caps on the pay welders can receive for their work.

“I am grateful for the continued partnership between the Office of the Sheriff and Action, Inc., which allows us to create positive opportunities for the inmate residents in our facility,” said Sheriff Ezell Brown. “The programs offered at the Newton County Detention Center are designed to equip these individuals with the skills and training they need to reintegrate into society as law-abiding citizens. I want to congratulate each graduate of the Welding Training Program on their dedication and achievement. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to my staff who continue to follow my vision. Additionally, I want to thank everyone who supported and encouraged these graduates throughout their journey — you played an essential role in their success.”

Sheriff Brown continued, “I would also like to express my gratitude to our guest speaker, Eric Dewayne, CEO of the Fellowship Training Institute, for his inspiring words of encouragement to the graduates. A special thanks to Chef Jai Johnson for catering our graduation ceremony and to Emonie’s Closet for providing clothing to each graduate.”

The inmate residents had the opportunity to participate in the American Welding Society’s Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) Sheet Metal tests following the end of the program’s course. The WPS Sheet Metal tests are administered by an AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) and graded on the following: a visual inspection of the welding coupon and a “bend test,” which tests the integrity of the welded coupon. All the graduates of the Welding Training Program passed the WPS Sheet Metal tests.

Additionally, the graduates received training certifications for the following: Welding, OHSA 10, Forklift Operator/Safety, Lean Six Sigma White Belt, CPR/First Aid/AED, Soft Skills, and Employability Ethics.
Covington man convicted of child abuse and neglect by Newton County jury
Carey Donovan Clark
Kate Verity
Updated: Apr 8, 2025, 8:25 PM
Published: Apr 8, 2025, 8:21 PM

NEWTON COUNTY – Last Thursday evening, a Newton County jury found Covington resident Carey Donovan Clark guilty of six counts of cruelty to children in the second degree and one count of aggravated battery.

According to a press release from the Newton County District Attorney’s office, the charges stem “from the abuse and neglect of multiple children.” There were a total of six children affected, all of whom were younger than 10. 

The case warranted the involvement of Newton County and Cherokee County DFCS and the children involved received services from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and A Child's Voice Child Advocacy Center. The investigation and arrest washandled by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.

According to Assistant District Attorney Bailey Wilkinson, the three older children went to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and one child remained hospitalized for a few days due to internal and external injuries.

Clark’s co-defendant in the case, Nora Rodgers, was sentenced in December 2023 after pleading guilty. Rodgers received 60 years with the first 30 years in confinement. 

Nora Rodgers
Nora Rodgers

Clark’s sentencing will be held at a later date. A pre-sentencing report is still being completed, and Clark will remain in custody until he is sentenced.

According to the press release, both Rodgers and Clark would make the children involved perform exercises and would not give the children “necessary sustenance.” A doctor testifying from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta reportedly called the children’s experiences “torture.” 

According to Wilkinson, the abuse was dealt at the hands of both Rodgers and Clark. The eight of them had lived together since 2018.

When Rodgers was sentenced, a statement released detailed some of the exercises the children were forced to perform. 

“Over the years the children had suffered torture under the guise of punishment. They were forced to do extreme bootcamp style exercises,” the statement with Rodgers’ sentencing read. “They would have to run laps, squats with large

logs from the yard, jumping jacks, etc., for extended time periods and to the point of exhaustion and injury. They would often have to perform these exercises in the middle of the night and in the heat of summer."

The statement further declared that Rodgers would “beat” the children if their exercise was not up to her standards and that she would spar with them as well, often hitting them. 

Wilkinson told The Covington News that the methods to punish the children were decided on together by Clark and Rodgers. Clark did not engage in the sparring, but he was aware of it. She added that Clark did engage in the exercise and physical punishments, but not to the same extent as Rodgers.