Note: A previous version of this article reported that Copeland was sentenced under the Georgia First Offender Act based on the sentencing paperwork filed in the Clerk’s Office. Copeland’s attorney, Travis Foreman, has since clarified that the request to be sentenced under the First Offender Act was not granted. TGV apologizes for any confusion this may have caused.
A woman facing charges of Aggravated Assault and Criminal Damage to Property received a 20-year sentence after pleading guilty for her role in a June 2025 incident.
20-year-old Areonna Nicole Copeland was arrested in June 2025 for an incident at Maverick Trails Apartments on Packinghouse Road in Statesboro.
According to court documents, Copeland committed the offense of Aggravated Assault when she did unlawfully use a pistol offensively against a victim by shooting at a woman while she was driving away. Copeland fired one shot, striking the vehicle’s driver side door, “placing [the victim] in reasonable fear of receiving serious bodily injury.” She was also charged with Criminal Damage to Property – 2nd degree due to the vehicle damage totaling an estimated $1,830.31.
In July 2025, Judge Michael Muldrew denied Copeland’s request for bond, citing her risk to the community. She’s remained behind bars for the last twelve months.
On June 26, 2026 Copeland entered an open ended guilty plea before Judge Michael Muldrew, meaning the terms of the sentence were wholly left up to the judge.
Copeland was sentenced in Bulloch County Superior Court following her guilty plea.
1 – Aggravated Assault – 20 years – 5 years to serve, 15 years on probation
2 – Criminal Damage to Property – 5 years probation, concurrent to Count 1
While the sentence lists ‘5 years to serve,’ sentencing paperwork indicates Judge Muldrew suspended the jail time on the condition that Copeland enters an ITP program, meaning Copeland will serve the entirety of her sentence on probation with the exception of 9 months in a residential facility.
ITP, as described by the Georgia Department of Corrections, is a 9-month prison alternative or specialized sentence for offenders who have co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders. The program addresses both issues at the same time as opposed to the issues in isolation. West Central Integrated Treatment Facility in Pike County is the state’s only location for female offenders.
Copeland was also ordered to:
- Pay $1,830.31 in restitution to the victim at a rate of $100 per month
- Avoid any contact with the victim
- Stay out of the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit except for travel on I-16 and I-95
- Undergo a mental health evaluation and a substance abuse evaluation, along with any recommended treatment.
- Pay a $55 fee to the Clerk of Court
She also received credit for time served in the Bulloch County Jail dating back to June 2025.
Copeland requested to be sentenced under the Georgia First Offender Act, but Muldrew denied that request.
As of July 6, Copeland was still in the Bulloch County Jail.
