Guilty Plea in July 2023 Murder in Housing Authority:

This morning, Dameko Tyrekies Boswell pleaded guilty to numerous charges including the murder of Larry Simmons. At the time, Boswell was 16 years old and Simmons was 15 years old.

On July 31, 2023, at approximately 1 am, Simmons and two other young men were walking in the area of Nixon Circle and Johnson Drive when the Defendant approaches them from behind and shoots at least 4 times at the 3 young men. Only Simmons was struck, having been shot 3 times in the back. Simmons died from the gunshot wounds. Much of the incident was caught on surveillance videos from the Housing Authority properties.

Covington Police Officers were canvasing the area following a different shooting that led to a death from the prior night. Officers heard the gunshots and quickly responded, finding Simmons.

Larry Simmons

The Defendant fled to a family member's apartment nearby and hid the firearm and his hoodie in a blanket in a family member's room. Law enforcement recovered the murder weapon the same night. Later testing by the GBI Crime Lab confirmed the presence of the Defendant's DNA on the firearm and confirmed that it was the murder weapon. The firearm had recently been reported stolen from a car break in.

In total, the Defendant entered a guilty plea to the following charges: Malice Murder, Felony Murder, 3 counts of Aggravated Assault, 3 counts of Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony, Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, and Possession of a Handgun by a Person Under the Age of 18 Years. He was sentenced to Life in Prison with the possibility of parole, meaning he will not be eligible for parole until he serves 30 years. The case was set to be tried the week of July 13.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Madison Caito, Investigator Colin Cunningham, Victim Services Director Leslie Smith, Victim Advocate Madison Sanders, Trial Assistant Danielle Miller, and Legal Assistant Sheila Cornelius. The investigation was handled by the Covington Police Department with assistance from the GBI Crime Lab.

"This is yet another case of youth gun violence leading to terrible consequences. A 16-year-old is walking around at 1 am with a gun and ambushes 3 other young men, killing one of them. I am proud of the work of our prosecution team as well as the work of the Covington Police Department. Their hard work led to this case resolving with a guilty plea and admission of guilt, allowing Larry Simmons' family to have a level of closure without having to sit through a trial.

The DA's Office and law enforcement do an excellent job handling these cases, but parents, please ask yourself if you know what your child is doing at 1am, do you know what they are doing on social media, do you know who they are hanging out with? Prosecutors, law enforcement, community leaders, etc. can do a lot to help with this issue, but it begins and ends in the home."

Randy McGinley

District Attorney

Alcovy Judicial Circuit

Guilty verdict in child molestation and child pornography trial:

Late yesterday afternoon, a Walton County jury reached a verdict in the State v. David Allen Francescutti. The Defendant was found guilty of all counts against him: Aggravated Child Molestation, 2 counts of Child Molestation, Incest, and 8 Counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child. 

The State began its presentation of evidence with the victim recounting the abuse by the Defendant. The jury then heard from two other relatives of the Defendant that testified that the Defendant also molested them when they were younger. 

David Allen Francescutti

During the investigation, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the defendant’s cell phone. Numerous photos and videos of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) was found on his phone, including one photo made by the Defendant. 

After hearing the evidence and closing arguments, the jury deliberated for about an hour before returning the guilty verdicts. 

The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Randy McGinley, Victim Services Director Kim Kelly, and Chief Investigator Josh Chambers. The arrest and investigation was handled by the Monroe Police Department along with assistance from the Gwinnett County Police Department. The victim received services from A Child’s Voice Child Advocacy Center. 

After the verdict, the Court proceeded to the sentencing hearing. The victims and family read victim impact statements detailing to the Court how these crimes have affected them. The Court then sentenced the Defendant (who is now 40 years old) to 40 years in prison without the possibility of parole followed by life on probation. 

“Three brave young women came into court to testify about the Defendant’s abuse. Because of them, the Defendant has been held responsible for his actions and now will serve decades in prison. I also want to thank the Monroe Police Department and Gwinnett Police Department detectives and officers for their hard work on this case.”

Randy McGinley

District Attorney 

Alcovy Judicial Circuit 

Representative Williamson Presents Georgia State Flag in Honor of District Attorney’s Office:

On June 1, 2026, Representative Bruce Williamson came to the Walton County Judicial Center to present a State of Georgia flag to the Walton County District Attorney’s Office. But this was not just any Georgia flag. The flag was recently flown above the Capitol of the State of Georgia and came with a certificate signed by Governor Brian Kemp and Marty Smith, Executive Director of the Georgia Building Authority.

Representative Williamson was born and raised in Monroe, GA and has served as a State Representative since 2010. He presented this flag today to honor the hard work of the District Attorney’s Office and for their service to the citizens of Walton County.

On this honor, District Attorney Randy McGinley said, “I want to thank Representative Bruce Williamson for honoring the members of the District Attorney’s Office today. The District Attorney’s Office strives to protect victims, provide justice, and keep our communities safe. Our Office is grateful to have a leader like Representative Williamson at the Capitol who shares these goals. As your District Attorney, I extend my personal gratitude for his recognition of the hard work of my office. My entire office cares deeply for this community and the personal recognition by someone of Representative Williamson’s stature is extremely appreciated.”

“I very much appreciate the leadership of our District Attorney, Randy McGinley, and the hard work and effectiveness of the Walton County District Attorney’s Office,” said Representative Bruce Williamson.