On July 08, 2025, Deputy Seth Entrekin was dispatched to a call at Piney Woods Baptist Church located on Rockmart Road in Buchanan, Georgia, regarding a burglary involving vandalism. This location has been the target of multiple vandalism reports since February 2024. There was extensive damage to the Fellowship Hall of the church that included chairs, power tools, mops, toilet plungers, and other items being stuck into the walls and ceiling of the church. All windows have been busted out of the church and spray paintings were on the interior and exterior of the church.
The Criminal Investigative Division was contacted and Sgt. Jason Bowman responded to the location to begin his investigation of the scene. The spray painting or “tagging” appeared to be indicative of gang related activities. During the investigation, a social media video was provided to D/S Entrekin and Sgt. Bowman that showed two young males identified as 17-year-old Darren Stanley and a 16-year-old unnamed juvenile committing the acts inside the Fellowship Hall.
Darren C. Stanley, a 17-year-old W/M out of Temple, GA was arrested and charged with Burglary 2nd Degree, Vandalism to a Place of Worship, Criminal Damage to Property 2nd Degree, Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, and Participation in Gang Related Activity.
The 16-year-old unnamed juvenile was charged in a Juvenile Complaint Form with Burglary 2nd Degree, Vandalism to a Place of Worship, Criminal Damage to Property 2nd Degree, Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, and Participation in Gang Related Activity and turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice.
“It is disappointing to see these young individuals make such a serious mistake, but there is always hope that they will learn from this and become productive citizens,” states Sheriff Stacy Williams. “This church closed for a while, but they are working to reopen and unfortunately, have been the target of several vandalisms over the last few months. The damage done by this last one was heartbreaking to see in a church building. We hope that any youth across Haralson County will learn from this that you cannot break into buildings, and you cannot damage property that is not yours.”
This is still an active and ongoing investigation where additional charges may be filed, and other individuals are possibly involved. If you have any information, please contact Sgt. Jason Bowman at 770-646-2011 or through our website at https://www.haralsoncountysheriff.org/crime-tip.cfm if you want to stay anonymous.
