In the quiet community of Covington, Georgia, a family's concern for a loved one's silence led to a grim discovery. On a Sunday in November of 2015, a relative of 29-year-old Mario Demonte Johnson went searching for him after not being able to make contact. The search ended in the front yard of a residence on Heritage Way, where Johnson was found deceased, having suffered from what appeared to be gunshot wounds.
The Newton County Sheriff's Office was called to the scene and immediately began an investigation into the apparent homicide. Their efforts soon pointed them toward a person of interest. Investigators executed a search warrant at the home of 58-year-old Rodney Carter Clark on Geiger Street in Covington. The search of Clark's residence reportedly yielded sufficient evidence for authorities to secure a warrant for his arrest in connection with Johnson's death.
A few days later, Rodney Carter Clark was taken into custody and transported to the Newton County Detention Center. He was subsequently charged with a litany of offenses, including murder, possession of cocaine, giving false statements, tampering with evidence, possession of a drug-related object, obstruction, and counterfeited trademarks. The investigation suggested that Johnson was the victim of a fatal shooting. Later reports confirmed that Rodney Clark was found guilty of the murder of Mario Demonte Johnson.
