On April 1, 2023, Mr. Auston Antonio Gantt was arrested in Athens-Clarke County for Aggravated Assault (x 5) , felony Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officer (x 4), and Removal of a Weapon of a Public Official (x 2). It is alleged that Mr. Gantt struck multiple law enforcement officers at the Athens-Clarke County Jail with a sock that he had weaponized with a bar of soap, utilizing stolen tasers on law enforcement officers during the scuffle, by chocking a law enforcement officer with his arm. As part of this situation, Mr. Gantt unlawfully took possession of two tasers from two different law enforcement officers that he then utilized to injure the officers during his criminal episode.
Through his public defender, Kaitlyn Beck, Mr. Gantt promptly filed paperwork with the court claiming Mr. Gantt was not competent to stand trial. After being evaluated and the Court considering the evidence, a consent order was entered finding Mr. Gantt competent to stand trial. On July 2, 2024, Ms. Beck filed another request on behalf of Mr. Gantt for a bond so that he could be released from jail claiming that he was compliant with his medications.
On August 5, 2024 the Court issued an order to schedule a hearing to consider the bond modification request on August 21, 2024. The District Attorney’s Office failed to give notice to the the victims of this horrific crime who were assaulted by Mr. Ganttt while they worked at the Athens-Clarke County Jail. As a result, the law enforcement victims were not aware of the bond hearing when the Court was scheduled to consider allowing Mr. Gantt to be released from jail on bond.
At the hearing on August 21, 2024, the District Attorney’s Office apparently did not oppose a bond and Mr. Gantt was released from custody. To add insult to injury, the District Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office failed to give notice to the victims regarding Mr. Gantt’s release in violation of Georgia law.
When one of the victims learned of Mr. Gantt’s release, attempts were made to reach the District Attorney’s Office to inquire further about the details regarding the bond hearing. It took several days for a return call from the District Attorney’s Office. The officer was later approached at her place of employment to discuss the concerns regarding the bond hearing situation. During this interaction, the representatives of the District Attorney’s Office admitted that the victim had not been properly notified.
On September 26, 2024, a Motion for Hearing on Violation of Victim’s Rights was filed by one of the victims, Kelda Corn. This is the fifth Marcy’s Law Violation filed against District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez and her team. Regrettably, the victim in this situation is one of our own law enforcement officers who DA Gonzalez has failed to respect and protect.
Motion by Victim Concerning Marsy’s Law Violation
Bond Order – August 21, 2024
Motion to Re-Consider Bond
Grand Jury Indictment
Consent Order Finding Defendant Competent
Special Plea of Mental Incompetency
Arrest Warrant
Interestingly enough, Mr. Gantt was in the jail on April 1, 2023 because of an earlier crime he committed on January 21, 2022. He was charged at that time for committing Arson in the Third Degree when he was caught causing a fire with sticks and other outside debris within the kitchen unit of a rental unit owned by Power Properties. He caused significant damage to the kitchen appliances, the walls, and other areas of the unit due to the fire and Mr. Gantt’s actions related to the spreading of ashes and writing messages with the ash on the walls.
Relevant Court Files
Grand Jury Indictment for Arson
Warrants for Arson
