Former Fulton County Deputy Sheriff Pleads Guilty to Public Corruption and Drug Trafficking Charges

Dingle is Second Jail Employee to Be Convicted Recently in Federal Court of Accepting Bribes to Smuggle Contraband into County Jail

ATLANTA—Former Fulton County Deputy Sheriff MARVIE TREVINO DINGLE, JR., 34, of Lithonia, Georgia, pleaded guilty today in federal district court to attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine and to accepting bribes of more than $2,000 to facilitate the distribution of cocaine inside and outside the Fulton County Jail.

United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, “Instead of protecting the public, this former deputy sheriff chose to sell his badge to protect drug deals. We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who tarnish the badge of honest, hard-working law enforcement officers.”

Brian D. Lamkin, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, said, “Public corruption investigations such as this continue to be a priority for the FBI due to the immense harm that can be caused from those that choose to disregard their sworn oaths. The FBI continues to work with its various law enforcement partners in such matters to further ensure that the public’s trust in its law enforcement community is not eroded by such individuals as Mr. Dingle.”

Fulton County Sheriff Theodore “Ted” Jackson said, “This sends a strong message that corrupt activity will not be tolerated at the Fulton County Jail. The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office is giving full cooperation to the FBI as agents continue their work. This investigation is vital to ensuring the safety and security of inmates and employees.”

According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court: On March 21, 2011, DINGLE, while employed as a deputy sheriff at the Fulton County Jail, accepted $700 from an undercover agent to deliver seven grams of a substance he believed to be cocaine to an inmate inside the jail. On April 22, 2011, DINGLE accepted $1,500 from an undercover agent to assist in delivering a kilogram of a substance he believed to be cocaine to a man in the Dunwoody area.

DINGLE was indicted in June, 2011 on two counts of attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine and two counts of extortion under color of official right. He pleaded guilty to all counts of his indictment. He could receive a maximum sentence of 70 years in prison and a fine of up to $6,000,000 for the drug offenses and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the extortion offenses. In determining the actual sentence, the court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.

DINGLE is the second former Fulton County law enforcement officer to recently plead guilty in federal court. On October 24, 2011, former Detention Officer DERICK DESHUN FRAZIER, 32, of Stockbridge, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of extortion under color of official right for accepting $300 to smuggle mobile telephones into the county jail.

Sentencing for DINGLE is scheduled for January 24, 2012, at 11:00 a.m., before United States District Judge Amy Totenberg.

This case is being investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Brent Alan Gray is prosecuting the case.

For further information please contact Sally Q. Yates, United States Attorney, or Charysse L. Alexander, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney’s Office, at (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is Justice.gov/usao/gan.