Jury Convicts Pembroke Man of Two Kidnappings

STATESBORO, GA—Antonio Lamont Murray, 38, from Pembroke, Georgia, was convicted yesterday by a federal jury after a three-day trial for his role in two separate kidnappings that occurred in the Bryan County area. The trial was held before Senior U.S. District Court Judge B. Avant Edenfield.

United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver stated, “The kidnappings committed by this defendant and others were violent and brazen acts. Because of timely action by the FBI and its partners in the law enforcement community, the United States Attorney’s Office was able to prosecute those responsible for these outrageous acts. The United States Attorney’s Office has no higher priority than protecting U.S. citizens.”

Brian D. Lamkin, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, stated, “This defendant was part of an orchestrated kidnapping crew which required and received the full attention of the community’s surrounding law enforcement effort. While the FBI is very proud of the role that it played in getting this defendant and his cohorts off of the streets and into the federal criminal justice system, this was truly an example of the area’s many law enforcement agencies working long hours together to ensure the public’s safety.”

The evidence presented during trial revealed that Murray and others conspired to commit two separate kidnappings in the Bryan County area in late 2011 and early 2012. The first kidnapping occurred on December 1, 2011. During this incident, the victim was abducted at gunpoint and later released only after a ransom was paid. The second kidnapping occurred on January 12, 2012. The second victim was also abducted at gunpoint and released only after a ransom was paid. Murray’s DNA was found in the home of one of the victims. Witnesses also identified Murray’s voice from the recorded ransom telephone calls.

Before trial, Cecil Dewitt Nelson, 32, and Gary Lenion McDonald, 35, each pled guilty to their role in the two kidnappings. McDonald testified against Murray at trial; he was one of 30 witnesses called by the United States.

Murray was convicted of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, two kidnappings, three firearm charges, and obstruction. Nelson and McDonald each pled guilty to conspiring to commit kidnapping. The conspiracy charge alone carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. In addition, Murray faces a 57-year consecutive sentence on his three firearm convictions. Each of the three defendants remain in custody pending their sentencings, which will be scheduled by Judge Edenfield after the U.S. Probation Office conducts a presentence investigation.

The convictions of Murray, Nelson, and McDonald resulted from a joint investigation by the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, NCIS, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia State Patrol, the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office, the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office, the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, the Richmond Hill Police Department, the Pooler Police Department, the Pembroke Police Department, and the Hinesville Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorneys Brian T. Rafferty and Carlton R. Bourne, Jr. prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.

Operation "Golden Isles"

The week of May 14th, 2012 the United States Marshals Service, in collaboration with the Glynn County Sheriff’s Office, the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation COPS grant funded Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Georgia Department of Corrections, Brunswick Probation Office, and the S.E. Probation TAC team conducted a two day compliance check of all registered sex offenders in Glynn County. A total of 35 Local, State and Federal Law Enforcement Officers were involved.

Operation "Golden Isles" was a two pronged effort of compliance and enforcement. The focus of the compliance operation was a comprehensive physical verification of every offender, their residences, their employment and compliance with their registration requirements. The enforcement operation centered on the service of 17 newly issued warrants for registration and probation violations.

This joint operation resulted in the successful location and verification of 105 sex offenders. In total 32 arrests were made. Of these 15 arrests were made for new violations discovered during the course of the operation. Additional charges included a new charge for possession of child pornography and two charges for firearms violations. As a result of the team’s diligent efforts two firearms and an amount of narcotics were seized.

The combined efforts of these dedicated law enforcement professionals were instrumental in the successful execution of Operation “Golden Isles.” This initiative is the second of many operations planned for the future in an effort to protect and safeguard our community and most especially the safety of our children.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

Guilty Pleas Entered by Talbot County Deputies

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that Alvin Malone and Jeff Sivell, Georgia certified law enforcement officers working for the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office, entered a plea of guilty today to one count of violating the Hobbs Act in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 1951 before the Honorable Clay Land, United States District Court, Columbus, Georgia.

Malone and Sivell admitted to attempted extortion by a public official, also known as the Hobbs Act. They would make traffic stops in Talbot County, Georgia targeting certain automobiles after having received information from a confidential informant that the vehicle would be carrying drugs and drug money. The scheme between the deputies and the confidential informant included the officers taking the cash and confiscating the drugs and then later splitting the money with the confidential informant. The entire traffic stop was audio and video recorded.

Malone and Sivell are to be sentenced in February, 2012. The defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, or both, and up to three years’ supervised release.

United States Attorney Michael Moore said, “The vast majority of the men and women who wear the law enforcement uniform are good, honest, and dedicated public servants. The defendants dishonored the badge they wore as well as their colleagues who serve and protect us every day. We will continue to make sure that public corruption is uncovered and dealt with appropriately.”

The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Mel Hyde is prosecuting the case.

For additional information please contact Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist at (478) 621-2602.

Final Defendant Receives 31-Year-Sentence in Kemp’s Pharmacy Burglary

FFL Theft Yields Hefty Sentence for New York Defendant

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Wayne Evans, 31, was sentenced to 380 months in federal prison and 36 months supervised release yesterday, by U.S. District Court Judge B. Avant Edenfield, of the Southern Judicial District of Georgia. Evans was found guilty by a jury trial on July 13, to several firearms-related charges. Wayne Evans, aka “Smiley,” of New York, N.Y., and co-defendant Jordy Melvin, of Claxton, Ga., were indicted in a six-count indictment on Dec. 7, 2010. The pair was charged with Conspiracy in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 371, Theft of Firearms in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. section 924(l), Theft from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 922(u) and Receiving Stolen Firearms in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 922(j). Evans was also charged with Possession of Firearms by a Felon in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) (1) and Transportation of Stolen Firearms in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 922(I). Specifically, the indictment alleged that Evans conspired with Melvin to take, steal, and carry away firearms from the business inventory of Kemp’s Pharmacy. Twenty-eight firearms were stolen in all. Evans was found guilty by a jury trial on July 13, on all charges previously alleged. Melvin was sentenced in July to a 110-month federal prison sentence followed by 36 months of supervised released.

“This case exemplifies the collaboration between ATF, its local and state law enforcement partners and the firearms industry,” said ATF Atlanta Field Division Special Agent in Charge Scott Sweetow. “By working together, we were able to solve a case which had the potential to negatively impact the streets of Georgia, New York, and all points between. Although the culprits have been brought to justice, we continue to ask for assistance as we work to remove the remaining stolen firearms from our streets. To those who victimize gun stores through these burglaries, our message is simple, ’Solving these types of crimes is one of our major priorities, and we will relentlessly pursue you and your stolen wares in concert with our partners, we will seek to put you behind bars.‘”

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), in conjunction with the Claxton Police Department, the Evans County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Seeking Public’s Assistance in Locating Violent Armed Bank Robber

ATLANTA—Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Brian D. Lamkin, FBI Atlanta, is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a violent armed bank robber who is responsible for the following three Atlanta area bank robberies:

On Wednesday, September 30, 2009, at approximately 9:05 a.m., a lone black male entered the Wachovia Bank, located at

2349 Chesire Bridge Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia

, and ordered everybody to put their hands up. The robber, who was carrying a black semi-automatic handgun and a black bag approached the first victim teller and demanded money. The first victim teller placed money from her teller drawer into the black bag. Afterwards, the robber approached two additional tellers and demanded money. After receiving money from the two additional tellers, the robber ran out the bank and fled the bank in a gray or silver vehicle.

On Thursday, December 03, 2009, at approximately 9:10 a.m., a lone black male entered the Wachovia Bank, located at

5425 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Chamblee, Georgia

and approached the teller counter. The robber, armed with a handgun, threw two bags over the teller counter and demanded money from the tellers. The robber also threatened to shoot individuals in the bank. After receiving money from the tellers, the robber ran out of the bank.

On Tuesday, November 30, 2010, at approximately 12:45 p.m., a lone black male entered the Wells Fargo Bank, located at

3393 Northside Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia

and announced a robbery. At one point, the robber jumped over the teller counter in an effort to locate the bank vault. The robber was unsuccessful and departed the bank without obtaining any money. After the robber departed the bank, he was observed removing his ski mask.

During one of the robberies, the robber stated: “I just want my TARP money back” and, at one point during another robbery, he apologized to customers, indicating that he wanted the bank’s money.

The robber is described as a black male, 6'0" - 6'4" talkk , 35 - 45 years old, 220 - 250 lbs, large build, wearing a black trench coat (second robbery) or black blazer (first robbery), white shirt, black gloves, black ski mask, and carrying a black semi-automatic handgun

A sketch artist from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has provided a composite drawing of the robber.

Wells Fargo Bank has announced a reward of up to $20,000 in this matter.

Anyone with information should contact the Atlanta office FBI at tel. (404) 679-9000.

Last Defendant Sentenced for Multi-Million Dollar Fraud at Cisco Gas Stations

WAYCROSS, GA—ROBERT MICHAEL CLARK, 31, of Folkston, Georgia, was sentenced yesterday by Chief Judge Lisa Godbey Wood to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release for his role in fraud occurring at the Cisco Travel Plaza I, Cisco Travel Plaza II, and Cisco Express gas stations in Camden County, Georgia.

United States Attorney Edward Tarver stated, “Thousands of consumers lost millions of dollars in this gas-fraud scheme that also involved the bribery of public officials. For years, customers of the Cisco stations thought they were getting a deal; instead, they were ripped off at the pump. This case should serve as warning to would-be fraudsters that if you steal from consumers in this District, you will receive a full tank of justice. ”

CLARK, a manager of one of the Cisco Stations, was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2008 on charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, and wire fraud. Also indicted was the owner of the stations, Fairley Leslie Cisco, Cisco’s nephew, Winston Eric Cisco, and two other managers, Regina Dianne Cheung Pierce and Britt Clinton Moore. The evidence demonstrated that these defendants conspired to mis-calibrate the unleaded and diesel pumps at the Cisco Stations to deliver less fuel than customers believed they were purchasing; to substitute regular unleaded gasoline for premium and mid-grade gasoline at the Cisco Stations; to bribe inspectors with the Georgia Department of Agriculture in charge of inspecting fuel pumps at the Cisco Stations; to substitute and sell non-BP unleaded gasoline at the Cisco Station which displayed BP registered trademarks; and to make false statements to federal law enforcement officers investigating the alleged criminal activities. In the years 2005 and 2006 alone, customers of the Cisco Stations were defrauded out of at least $7 million as a result of the defendants’ fraud.

Defendant Fairley Leslie Cisco died a month before he was scheduled to go to trial. Winston Eric Cisco earlier pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony and received 12 months’ imprisonment. Pierce and Moore earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy and received 18 and 27 months’ imprisonment, respectively. Clark’s sentencing yesterday concluded the case.

The indictment arose out of a joint federal and state investigation conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Kingsland Police Department. Tarver commended particularly the work of GBI Special Agent Richard Dial, the lead case agent. The case was prosecuted by R. Brian Tanner, Assistant United States Attorney, and James D. Durham, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

Police Officer Books

Police-Writers.com is a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books. Three police officers were added to the website: Billy Chase, Rick Darby and Charles Stone.

Billy Chase grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He worked as a guard for the Connecticut State Correctional Department at the Whalley Avenue Correctional Facility in New Haven, Connecticut. After a short stint with the Monroe Police Department (Connecticut) he joined the Bridgeport Police Department (Connecticut). In 1992, he retired from the Bridgeport Police Department.

Billy Chase is the author of Chased: Alone, Black, and Undercover. According to Publisher’s Weekly, “Chase may well be one of the most courageous police officers now working a beat. As an undercover narcotics agent in Bridgeport, Conn., he has infiltrated black, Puerto Rican, Jamaican, Colombian and Italian mobs, fortified by smarts he acquired on the street in his own youth, and fueled by his hatred of drugs and organized crime. But while his primary struggle was waged against gangsters, he also fought racism: on more than one occasion, Chase held a gun on thugs he had arrested only to hear them yell for help, claiming he was robbing them; spectators were all too ready to believe the claim.”

Rick Darby is a veteran police officer and an Ordained Minister. He currently serves as the Police Chief of the Cornelia Police Department (Georgia). He has had the opportunity to teach over 5000 law enforcement officers both locally and internationally. Rick Darby has written feature articles for local newspapers and law enforcement training curriculum. His passion for people has allowed him to appear on local, national and international radio and television. He has also worked with troubled youth and taught Drug Education in Public Schools.

Rick Darby is the author of The Boyz in the Grove. According to the book description, “set in the late 1960's and early 1970's two old friends reminisce after not seeing each other for twenty years and the story begins to unfold. Jacob Hartley and Rick Darby reconnect in a hospital room and mutually agree not to talk about an incident that occurred thirty-four years earlier. Jacob asks Rick to share some of their childhood stories to bring him some peace during his last days of life. As Rick begins to share in the Southern style only he can, others show up to hear a story or two. He even shares one of his stories with a group of nurses. During that story he gets a little surprise that catches him off guard. After a day at the hospital Rick prepares to leave when Jacob throws him a curve. His request was more than Rick had bargained for.”

Charles Stone was a Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s agent for more than 25 years. As head of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Anti-Terrorist Unit, was one of the three primary investigative supervisors on the Atlanta Bomber Case. He is a co-author of the book that explores that case, Hunting Eric Rudolph.

According to Publisher’s Weekly, “This is a suspenseful account of the five-year hunt for the man behind the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Park bombing. Eric Rudolph is now also facing federal charges for bombings of a gay nightclub and two abortion clinics in Atlanta and Birmingham, Ala. Descriptive anecdotes of Rudolph and his family help Schuster, a CNN senior producer, and Stone, former head of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Anti-Terrorist Force, illustrate how a man on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List with a million-dollar reward on his head managed to elude the FBI for years by hiding out in the mountains of North Carolina.”

Police-Writers.com now hosts 573 police officers (representing 241 police departments) and their 1208 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.