Arrest Warrant Briefly Issued for Outgoing South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Fulton County judge briefly issued a bench warrant Tuesday for the arrest of outgoing South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau after he arrived more than an hour late to a scheduled court hearing related to a misdemeanor trespassing case.

The warrant was issued at prosecutors’ request when Kamau and his attorney failed to appear for the 10 a.m. hearing. It was later withdrawn after Kamau arrived and court proceedings began.

During the hearing, Kamau rejected a plea deal offered by the state that would have resolved the case with probation, community service, and a written apology to the homeowner. Instead, Kamau opted to take the case to trial. The judge warned that a conviction could result in up to 12 months in jail.

Trespassing Charge Stems from 2023 Incident

Kamau was formally charged in May by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis with criminal trespassing in connection with a July 2023 incident along Cascade Palmetto Highway. Prosecutors allege Kamau “knowingly and without authority” entered a private residence without permission.

Kamau was initially arrested in 2023 and booked into the Fulton County Jail on an $11,000 bond, which he later posted. At the time of his arrest, Kamau said he entered the property because he admired the home and wanted to inspect it further.

Authorities initially charged Kamau with felony burglary and criminal trespassing, but prosecutors later dropped the burglary charge, allowing the case to proceed solely on the misdemeanor trespassing count.

Trial Dates Set

A pretrial hearing is scheduled for February 4, with jury trial set to begin February 17.

Kamau, who ran unsuccessfully for re-election in November, received less than 5% of the vote in the general election. Councilwoman Carmalitha Gumbs went on to win the December runoff and will assume office as South Fulton’s next mayor. The case remains pending.

Context on Kamau’s Term as Mayor

Khalid Kamau, a community activist and former city councilmember, was elected mayor of South Fulton in 2021 on a progressive platform centered on government transparency, environmental justice, and community engagement. His tenure, however, was marked by frequent controversy, strained relationships with the City Council, and ongoing political divisions within the city’s leadership.

Throughout his term, Kamau clashed publicly with councilmembers over policy direction, administrative decisions, and governance practices, contributing to a turbulent political environment at City Hall. While supporters praised his willingness to challenge entrenched systems, critics argued that his leadership style hindered collaboration and effective governance.

Kamau’s challenges culminated in his overwhelming defeat in the November election, where he garnered less than 5% of the vote, signaling broad voter dissatisfaction with his administration. He is set to leave office as Councilwoman Carmalitha Gumbs prepares to be sworn in as South Fulton’s next mayor following her decisive runoff victory.