Judge Hayward accepts pleas in series of airport trespass and related cases; warns public about impersonation scams

Judge Tammy Long Hayward presided over the Clayton County State Court jail calendar on March 31, 2026, accepting multiple negotiated pleas and sentencing several defendants for offenses that in many instances occurred at or near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The courtroom heard a string of pleas and recommendations from the state and defense. Antoine Owens (2026CR04117) entered a no-contest plea to criminal trespass; the state described airport staff flagging him and officers attempting to detain him, at which point an altercation occurred. The court accepted a recommendation of 12 months with 10 days to serve, credit for time served, and the balance suspended so long as Owens avoids the airport unless ticketed or on official business. Owens told the court the encounter was “a whole big misunderstanding” and said he had been trying to fly out that morning.

Kelsey Janelle Holmes (2025CR05780) pleaded guilty to public indecency stemming from an incident at a Chick-fil‑A parking lot; the court accepted the state's recommendation of 12 months with 34 days to serve (credit for time served) and suspended the remainder provided she does not return to the specified Chick‑fil‑A location during her sentence.

Traffic and equipment-related cases resulted in fines and payment deadlines. Alejandro Perez (2026CR03879) pleaded no contest to certain license and insurance counts while other counts were no‑prossed; the court imposed the recommended fines (a $500 fine for count 1 and $200 for count 2, with surcharges brought to $737.50 and $298 respectively) and allowed up to 60 days for payment as he was being released from custody.

Several defendants were sentenced in airport‑related trespass matters. Zion Camacho (02/1960) received concurrent 12‑month terms with 30 days to serve on counts 1 and 2 (credit for time served), suspended on the balance if he stays away from the airport. Robert Lee Crawford (2026CR04203) pleaded no contest to trespass and to providing a false name; the court imposed concurrent 12‑month terms with 14 days to serve (credit for time served) and suspended the balance if he does not return to the airport without documentation or a ticket. Kiwani Veronica Jackson (2026CR03900) also received concurrent 12‑month terms with 30 days to serve on two counts, credit for time served, and a suspended balance absent new violations.

Mauro Gonzales Bermudez (2026CR04128) faced multiple counts including a reduced disorderly conduct charge; the court accepted negotiated pleas on several counts, imposed a $500 fine on one count (with surcharges totaling $737.50) and set 30 days to pay. OC Levi Stevens Jr. (2026CR03877) had one count no‑prossed and entered a no‑contest plea to a second count; the court accepted a 12‑month sentence with 30 days to serve and suspended the balance on the condition of no new violations.

Jerome Dexter Whitaker stipulated to violating probation (revoking 10 days with credit for time served) and entered a guilty plea to a new criminal trespass charge (2026CR04161). The court accepted probation’s recommendation on the revocation and imposed 12 months with 60 days to serve on the new charge with the balance suspended if he avoids the airport without documented business.

Larry Bennett (2026CR04194) pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct; the state recounted officers’ attempts to transport him to a warming center and his refusal to comply. The court accepted the plea and ordered 12 months with 30 days to serve (credit for time served), suspending the balance if Bennett has no new violations.

Throughout the calendar defense attorneys frequently stipulated to the factual bases the state offered. Several attorneys were identified in court as representing multiple defendants from the firm referenced during proceedings as Lester Holt and Dennis; the state’s factual presentations were delivered in court by the prosecutor identified in the record as Adams.

At the calendar’s close, Judge Hayward delivered a public‑service warning about a persistent telephone scam in which callers impersonate jail or court staff and demand payment (often by gift card) or claim there are federal warrants. “Nobody’s gonna call you and tell you they have a warrant for your arrest,” the judge said, urging families to use a prearranged safe word if a caller claims a relative is detained. She said recordings that replicate a judge’s voice are being used to try to convince family members to send money.

The court provided defendants with paperwork that will state payment deadlines and where fines may be paid at the Clayton County Justice Center cashier’s window on the second floor. Most sentences were entered with credit for time served and the balance of sentence suspended on the condition of no new law violations; several fines were set with explicit surcharge totals and a 30‑ or 60‑day payment window as recorded on each defendant’s paperwork.

The court adjourned after completing the jail calendar and confirming defendants’ release or return to custody where appropriate.