Man sentenced to 20 years in 2021 Jones County homicide case

The shooting happened late May 15 into the early morning of May 16, 2021.

JONES COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A man was sentenced Friday in connection with a 2021 shooting that killed a woman during a large gathering on Nitrogen Road near the Wilkinson County line.

According to the Jones County Sheriff’s Office, Jeremy Butts pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the death of 21-year-old Jada Simmons. He was sentenced to 20 years, with the first 15 to be served in prison.

The shooting happened late May 15 into the early morning of May 16, 2021. Deputies said Butts fired several shots into a residence after an altercation involving his sister, Cierra Butts, and other women at the gathering. One of the bullets struck and killed Simmons.

Afterward, investigators said Cierra Butts purchased her brother a plane ticket to El Paso, Texas, and drove him to the airport. Jeremy Butts was arrested May 18, 2021, by the U.S. Marshals Service and has remained in custody since then.

Cierra Butts, originally charged with hindering apprehension, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor obstruction of an officer. She was sentenced to 12 months probation, with six months to be served in the Jones County Jail.