911 Called for Domestic Incident
Coweta County E911 received a call from a residence in the 800 block of Welcome Rd just before 7:45 PM on April 8th, 2024. The caller stated there was a male causing trouble and that it had gotten physical. According to dispatch audio, the dispute was loud enough that it could be heard by the call taker.
Several Deputies with the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene shortly after being dispatched. After making contact with the caller they requested an EMS unit be dispatched for a victim with minor injuries and noted that the suspect, who the victim had identified as Steven Morris Fordham, had left the scene on foot prior to their arrival.
The Manhunt
Several additional units were dispatched to the scene as deputies attempted to contact the suspect without success. Deputies asked dispatch to run Fordham for local warrants and he was found to have one out of the CCSO for Probation Violation, at the time their investigation of the current incident only seemed to be a misdemeanor Battery charge.
This is important due to the fact that K9’s can only be deployed if there are felony charges pending on the suspect.
While CCSO didn’t have felony charges, Fordham was found to have at least 1 felony warrant out of Troup County, who was more than happy to make the trip and put their k9 on the track.
Deputies learned from the victim that Fordham had left wearing blue jeans, no shirt, and a blue and black backpack. They were also informed that they believed he had headed south and might be around the Sheppard Drive area. Deputies began canvassing the roads around the area, at one point making contact with staff at the Welcome Station who confirmed they’d seen him earlier in the night.
By 9 PM we posted the suspect’s information to the public in hopes they may help locate him, as well as to inform them of the cause of the law enforcement activity in the area. 911 received multiple calls regarding the sighting of the suspect earlier in the night, but it was a call just before 10 PM that would be the information that officers needed in order to apprehend the subject.
The caller informed Deputies that a male matching the description was standing in front of the Little Giant located on Hwy 16 West, which according to Google Maps is roughly a 3-mile walk that would take over an hour without detours. Deputies quickly responded to the area where they found Fordham, now with a shirt on, standing in front of the store and placed him in custody.
The Charges & Recent Arrest
Steven Morris Fordham, 43, who lists his residence as an address in Lagrange, was arrested and booked into the Coweta County Jail on the following charges.
- Battery (M)
- Battery (M)
- Cruelty to Children – 2nd Degree (F)
Records show that Fordham had his first appearance with Magistrate Judge Stokely on 4/9/24.
Records updated today ( April 10th, 2024 ), after that first appearance, show that Fordham remains in the Coweta County Jail on just a single charge of Battery (M) with the other two charges having been dismissed. The reason for their dismissal is unknown at this time.
While Fordham does have a $1500 bond for his remaining Battery charge, Troup County has placed a detainer on him, meaning that he’s not to be released from the jail without Troup County first having the chance to take him into custody on their charges.
Booking records show that Fordham was arrested on March 24th, 2024, just weeks before this incident, at the same residence off Welcome Rd. He was booked on the following charge for that incident.
- Battery – Family Violence (1st Offense) (M)
Records updated today ( April 10th, 2024 ), after that first appearance, show that Fordham remains in the Coweta County Jail on just a single charge of Battery (M) with the other two charges having been dismissed. The reason for their dismissal is unknown at this time. We’ve reached out for more information regarding this booking and will update when we receive the more information.
Previous Criminal History
Fordham is no stranger to the law, and particularly no stranger to hitting people, with a lengthy criminal history between Coweta and Troup Counties.
Coweta County Criminal History
A search for Fordham in the Coweta County Superior Court records shows the following case.
- In March of 1999, Fordham entered a Negotiated Plea deal on a single charge of Theft by Taking (F) that occurred in September of 1998. He was given first-offender status and sentenced to 3 years of probation and a $100 fine.
A search for Fordham in the Coweta County Start Court records shows the following 3 cases.
- In June of 2009, Fordham was charged with Battery (FVA) (M) for an incident that occurred in May of the same year. He was found guilty and received the following sentence. $491 or 10 Days of Community Service, 20 Days Jail ( Time Served ), 12 Months of Probation, and no contact with the victim.
- In a second case originating from the same May 2009 incident as above, and adjudicated on the same date in June, Fordham was charged with Cruelty to Children (Third Degree) (M). He was found guilty and sentenced to 20 Days Jail ( Time Served ).
- In January of 2012, Fordham was charged with Driving while License Suspended or Revoked (M) for an incident that occurred in May of 2011. He pleaded NOLO and received a sentence of $730 or 14 Days of Community Service, 12 Months of Probation, and 10 Days of Community Service.
Troup County Criminal History
A search for Fordham in the Troup County Superior Court records shows the following 2 cases.
- In May of 2019, Fordham was charged with the following: False Imprisonment (F), Simple Battery Family Violence (M), and Theft by Taking – (M) for an incident that occurred in November of 2018. He entered a Negotiated Plea deal and was sentenced to the following: On the False Imprisonment charge, 10 years with the first 2 years to be served in confinement and the remainder to be served on probation ( minus credit for time served prior to trial ); on the Battery charge 1 year to serve concurrent with the False Imprisonment charge; on the Theft by Taking charge 1 year to serve concurrent with the False Imprisonment charge.
In April of 2023 the Department of Corrections, Probation Officer, filed a probation revocation with the court seeking to revoke his probation. It was granted by the court. This case is the origin of the Felony warrants that Fordham has in Troup County.
- In October of 2022, Fordham was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine (F) after he was arrested in July of 2022. Fordham again entered a Negotiated Plea deal and was sentenced to 3 years with the first year to be served in confinement and the remainder to be served on probation ( minus credit for time served prior to trial ). The sentencing disposition also notes that this time is to be served concurrent with the time served for the May of 2019 case above.
A search for Fordham in the Troup County State Court records shows the following 4 cases.
- In October of 2013, Fordham was charged with Speeding (M) and fined $210.00
- In January of 2016, Fordham was charged with the following: Battery – Family Violence (M), and Violate Family Violence Order (M) for an incident that occurred in October of 2015. Court records show that both charges were ” Dismissed for Want of Prosecution “.
- In February of 2017, Fordham was again charged with Battery – Family Violence (M), for the same incident that occurred in October of 2015. Court records show that again that charge was ” Dismissed for Want of Prosecution “.
- In May of 2017, Fordham was charged with Possession of Marijuana, Less than an Ounce (M), after being arrested in February of 2017. He was found guilty and received the following sentence: $1,825 Court Fines, $300 Fees, and 1 year of probation.
