Pair Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Defraud Automobile Sealerships and Banks

BENJAMIN WADE ELLIOTT, 26, of Winchester, Tennessee, and CONNIE LEE BUCE, 42, of Woodstock, Georgia, were sentenced February 25 by United States District Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr. on charges relating to a conspiracy to defraud more than 500 automobile dealerships and numerous banks throughout the United States of millions of dollars.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said of the case, “These defendants, who were in the business of providing direct-mail advertising services to automobile dealerships, stole millions of dollars from their customers by electronically debiting their bank accounts without authorization. This type of criminal activity represents a threat to our banking system, and the people who think they can get away with this type of electronic fraud face the very real possibility of ending up in a federal prison, where there is no parole."

ELLIOTT was sentenced to serve 9 years in federal prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $4.28 million in restitution, and BUCE was sentenced to serve 4 years, 3 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release and also ordered to pay the $4.28 million in restitution. ELLIOTT was convicted of these charges on October 30, 2008, and BUCE was convicted of these charges on November 17, 2008, after each entered a guilty plea.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: From July 2006 through January 2007, ELLIOTT owned and operated “300 UP Promotions, Inc.” (300 UP), a Georgia corporation that sold direct-mail advertising services to automobile dealerships. BUCE was the company’s Chief Financial Officer. The dealerships paid 300 UP in full, by check, before any advertising services were provided by 300 UP. Although the dealerships did not authorize 300 UP to debit their bank accounts electronically, ELLIOTT and BUCE stole millions of dollars from the dealerships’ bank accounts through the use of Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) debits. Most of the dealerships promptly reviewed their bank statements and notified their banks of the unauthorized ACH debits. As a result, those banks credited the dealerships’ accounts for the unauthorized debits, but the banks were not able to recover the funds from ELLIOTT and BUCE. The loss to the victim lending institutions is estimated at $9 million. ELLIOTT and BUCE attempted to steal an additional $21 million but were thwarted when some of the victims complained to ACH about the unauthorized debts.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Russell Phillips prosecuted the case.

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Virginia Police Officer is First 2009 AMW All-Star Finalist

A Roanoke, Virginia police officer who was seriously injured while attempting to apprehend an assault suspect has become the first weekly finalist in the 2009 America’s Most Wanted All-Star Contest, sponsored by Sprint.

On May 10, 2008, Officer Bryan Lawrence was working off-duty to provide security on a Saturday night when he heard on his radio that a woman had been assaulted at a gas station not far from where he was. Officer Lawrence spotted the two suspects and chased them. He was in the process of apprehending one suspect when the other assaulted him, kicking him so hard in the head that a shoe print was still imprinted on him a day later. The attack left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. He is currently in intensive physical therapy.

Officer Lawrence is as well known in his community for his good deeds as he is for his police work. For example, every year on Mother's Day he would buy roses and bring them to a local nursing home. He also organized and ran an annual motorcycle fundraiser for Alzheimer's patients.

Officer Lawrence is the first of eight weekly finalists to be chosen by the public in the AMW All-Star Contest. Any first responder, such as police, firefighter or EMT, is eligible for the contest, and any member of the public can nominate and vote for their favorite first responder online at AMW.com. The nomination process is simple; all people have to do is fill out a short online form naming their favorite first responder and explaining what makes them an All-Star.

Each weekly finalist will be profiled on America’s Most Wanted (Saturdays, 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT on FOX). Through their online votes, the public will choose the grand-prize winner. In May, AMW Host John Walsh will present the 2009 AMW All-Star winner with a check for $10,000 at the NASCAR SPRINT Cup Series™ All-Star Challenge at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Nominations are open at AMW.com until noon (ET) on April 4, 2009. Members of the public may vote for their favorite first responder once a day, every day. Finalist voting runs through April 12, and the grand-prize winner voting will run April 16-May 5.
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North Georgia Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Enticing a Child

KENNETH C. CHASE, 63, of Gainesville, Georgia, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Thomas T. Thrash to serve over 15 years in federal prison on a charge of using a computer to attempt to entice a child for sexual activity.

“This case illustrates how important it is for law enforcement to be vigilant in investigating those who use the internet to express a willingness to sexually exploit children,” United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said.

CHASE was sentenced to 15 years, 8 months in prison to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release. On November 14, 2008, a federal jury convicted CHASE after a three-day trial.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: In February 2008, an undercover FBI agent was approached by CHASE in an online chat room devoted to the topic of sex with children. Over the next several days, CHASE told the agent he wished to engage in sexual activities with the agent’s fictitious 11 year-old daughter. They arranged to meet in the parking lot of the Mall of Georgia, where CHASE said he wished to sexually assault the child. He told the agent he would bring a sunshade and blanket to hide the three of them from prying eyes while they engaged in sexual activity in his truck. He also told the agent he would bring liquor he might give the child. When CHASE arrived at the Mall of Georgia, he was arrested. Agents found a blanket, a sunshade, and butterscotch schnapps, on ice, in his truck. When interviewed, CHASE told agents he might have gone through with the sexual assault of the child.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney's Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the FBI.

Assistant United States Attorney Francey Hakes prosecuted the case.

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Georgia Man Convicted of Conspiracy, Armed Robbery, Carjacking, and Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence

Edmund A. Booth, Jr., United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, announced that Calvin Lee Stevenson, Jr., indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2008, was convicted February 19 following a three day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Augusta of Conspiracy to Rob a Credit Union, Armed Robbery of a Credit Union, Carjacking and two counts of Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.

The evidence at trial showed that in December, 2007 that Stevenson conspired with other individuals to rob the Richmond Community Federal Credit Union located at EZGO on Marvin Griffin Road in Augusta and that Stevenson carried out the plan when he and two other co-defendants robbed the credit union of more than $30,000 in December, 2007. It was further proven by the evidence that immediately prior to the armed robbery that Stevenson and others carjacked a 74 year old victim and then used the carjacked vehicle during the commission of the armed robbery.

Booth stated that Stevenson now faces 5 years in prison for the conspiracy conviction, 25 years in prison for the armed robbery conviction, 15 years in prison for the carjacking conviction, and a mandatory minimum of 35 years in prison for the firearms convictions. Booth noted that a sentencing date will be scheduled following the completion of a pre-sentence investigation and report.

The investigation involved the cooperative efforts of the Richmond County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation; The government is being represented by Assistant United States Attorneys Patricia Green Johnson and Stephen Inman.

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Three Former Atlanta Police Officers Sentenced to Federal Prison in Fatal Shooting of Elderly Atlanta Woman

David E. Nahmias, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia; Loretta King, Acting Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice; and Gregory Jones, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that three former Atlanta Police Department (APD) officers were sentenced to prison today by Chief United States District Judge Julie E. Carnes on a charge of conspiracy to violate civil rights resulting in death, arising from the fatal police shooting of Kathryn Johnston, a 92-year old Atlanta woman, at her home during the execution of a search warrant obtained by the defendants based upon false information on November 21, 2006.

JASON R. SMITH, 36, of Oxford, Georgia, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. GREGG JUNNIER, 42, of Woodstock, Georgia, was sentenced to six years in federal prison. ARTHUR TESLER, 42, of Acworth, Georgia was sentenced to five years in federal prison. There is no parole in the federal system. Each defendant was also sentenced to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term, and collectively to pay $8,180 in restitution for the costs of Ms. Johnston’s funeral and burial.

In a brief news conference after the sentencing hearings, United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said in part, “As Atlanta police narcotics officers, these three defendants repeatedly failed to follow proper procedures and then lied under oath to obtain search warrants. Their routine violations of the Fourth Amendment led to the death of an innocent citizen. The death of Kathryn Johnson in a police shooting was a terrible tragedy for a law-abiding elderly woman, her family, and friends and our entire community. But as her family and others hoped, from this tragedy have come two positive results. First, it has led the Atlanta Police Department to implement useful reforms in training and supervision and to entirely revamp its Narcotics Unit, reducing the possibility of a similar tragedy in the future. Second, the significant prison sentences imposed by the Court today should send a strong message to other law enforcement officers who may be tempted to lie under oath or otherwise violate the law. Officers who think, as these defendants once did, that the ends justify the means or that ‘taking shortcuts' and telling lies will not be discovered and punished should realize that they are risking their careers and their liberty. And officers who try to obstruct justice when their misconduct faces exposure, rather than cooperating in the investigation, should realize that they will face even more severe punishment.”

In Washington D.C., Acting Assistant Attorney General Loretta King said, “The Justice Department is committed to vigorously prosecuting law enforcement officers who willfully disregard the Constitution and abuse their authority to violate the rights of others. This sort of unlawful behavior, resulting in Ms. Johnston's tragic death, undermines the efforts of law enforcement officers who honorably perform their duties.”

Gregory Jones, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta, said, “This is a sad day in the law enforcement community. Few crimes are as reprehensible as those committed by police officers who violate the very laws they have sworn to uphold. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Johnston family, and we hope today's sentencing helps bring closure to this tragedy. Further, we want the public to know the FBI will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who violate their oaths of office and the civil rights of others.”

JUNNIER and SMITH pleaded guilty to the federal civil rights conspiracy charge, as well as voluntary manslaughter and related state charges in Fulton County ( Georgia) Superior Court, on April 26, 2007. Pursuant to their plea agreements, they are scheduled to be sentenced in state court on March 5, 2009, to the same sentence imposed in federal court, with the sentences to be served concurrently. TESLER initially declined to plead guilty and was indicted in state court on charges of violation of oath of office by a public officer, false imprisonment and false statements. In 2008, TESLER was convicted at trial in state court on the false statement charges, but that conviction has been reversed on appeal. Following the state trial, federal authorities re-evaluated TESLER’S case, conducted further investigation, and determined that federal prosecution of TESLER was appropriate. TESLER pleaded guilty to the federal charge on October 30, 2008.

JUNNIER began cooperating truthfully with authorities shortly after the federal investigation began and provided valuable assistance in the investigation and prosecution of SMITH and TESLER. Additionally, JUNNIER’S cooperation led to guilty pleas to federal charges by two additional APD officers, including a separate civil rights offense committed by the sergeant who commanded the narcotics team involved in the shooting. SMITH cooperated to a more limited extent. Both former officers provided information relevant to a broader FBI investigation of misconduct by APD narcotics and other officers, which culminated in a report provided by the FBI to APD Chief Richard Pennington in October 2008 for consideration of potential administrative discipline against other APD officers. As a result of their cooperation, the Court reduced JUNNIER’s sentence by 40 percent and SMITH’s sentence by 20 percent. TESLER did not provide substantial assistance in the investigation and received no sentence reduction on that ground, although his sentence was reduced based on his lesser role in the conspiracy.

The facts and other details regarding the case are set forth in the government’s Sentencing Memorandum attached to this release. (NEWS MEDIA NOTE: additional copies of the Sentencing Memorandum are available upon request.)

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

Assistant United States Attorney Jon-Peter Kelly, United States Attorney David E. Nahmias, and Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Special Litigation Counsel Paige M. Fitzgerald prosecuted the case.

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Forty-Eight Children Recovered in Operation Cross Country III

During the past week, the FBI joined our law enforcement partners in a three-day national enforcement action as part of the Innocence Lost National Initiative. This operation, known as Operation Cross Country III, included enforcement operations in 29 cities across the country and led to the recovery of 48 children being prostituted domestically. Additionally, 571 criminals were arrested on a combination of state and federal charges for the domestic trafficking of children for prostitution and solicitation.

“We continue to pursue those who exploit our nation's children,” said FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III. “We may not be able to return their innocence but we can remove them from this cycle of abuse and violence.”

In the spring of 2003, the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, in partnership with the Child Exploitation-Obscenity Section (CEOS) of the Department of Justice and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), formed the Innocence Lost National Initiative to address the growing problem of children forced into prostitution. This program brings state and federal law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and social service providers all from around the country to NCMEC, where the groups are trained together. In addition, CEOS has reinforced the tr aining by assigning prosecutors to help bring cases in those cities plagued by child prostitution. To date, the 32 Innocence Lost Task Forces and Working Groups have recovered 670 children. The investigations and subsequent convictions have resulted in lengthy sentences, including multiple 25-years-to-life sentences and the seizure of more than $3 million in assets.

The FBI would like to thank its partners who participated in Operation Cross Country and ongoing enforcement efforts, specifically:

Alsip Police Department (IL); Anaheim Police Department (CA); Anchorage Police Department (AK); Ann Arbor Police Department (MI); Atlanta Police Department (GA); Aurora Police Department (CO); Beaverton Police Department (OR); Bensenville Police Department (IL); Beverly Police Department (MA); Birmingham Police Department (AL); Boston Police Department (MA); Brandon Police Department (MS); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CA); California Department of Justice (CA); Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (NC); Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office (OR); Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office (OR); Clackamas County/Multnomah County Victims Assistance (OR); Clarendon Hills Police Department (IL); College Park Police Department (GA); Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department (IL); Corvallis Police Department (OR); Dallas Police Department (TX); Metropolitan Police Department (DC); Denver Police Department (CO); Des Plaines Police Department (IL); Detroit Police Department (MI); Downers Grove Police Department (IL); DuPage County Sheriff’s Police Department (IL); Elk Grove Village Police Department (IL); Essex Police Department (MA); Eugene Police Department (OR); Evanston Police Department (IL); Everett Police Department (MA); Everett Police Department (WA); Florida Attorney General’s Office (FL); Flowood Police Department (MS); Fulton County Sheriff’s Office (OH); Glenview Police Department (IL); Glenwood Police Department (IL); Gloucester Police Department (MA); Grayslake Police Department (IL); Gurnee Police Department (IL); Gwinnett County Police Department (GA); Hapeville Police Department (GA); Harris County Sheriff's Office (TX); Highland Park Police Department (IL); Hillsboro Police Department (OR); Hinds County Sheriff's Office (MS); Houston Police Department (TX); Immigration and Custom Enforcement; Internal Revenue Service; Jackson Police Department (MS); Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (FL); Janus Youth Services (OR); Kent Police Department (WA); Lake County Sheriff’s Department (IL); Lakewood Police Department (CO); Lakewood Police Department (WA); Lane County Parole (OR); Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (NV); Lifeworks NW (OR); Lima Police Department (OH); Lombard Police Department (IL); Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (VA); Lynwood Police Department (WA); Madison Heights Police Department (MI); Malden Police Department (MA); Marblehead Police Department (MA); Massachusetts State Police Department (MA); Melrose Park Police Department (IL); Melrose Police Department (MA); Miami Dade Police Department (FL); Miami Police Department (FL); Michigan State Police (MI); Minneapolis Police Department (MN); Minnetonka Police Department (MN); Mississippi Attorney General’s Office (MS); Montgomery County Police Department (MD); Moreno Valley Police Department (CA); Mount Prospect-Arlington Heights Police Department (IL); Mount Vernon Police Department (IL); Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office (OR) ; Multnomah County Juvenile Services Division (OR); Mundelein Police Department (IL); Naperville Police Department (IL); National Center for Missing & Exploited Children; Norwood Police Department (MA); Oak Brook Police Department (IL); Oak Lawn Police Department (IL); Oakland Police Department (CA); Ontario Police Department (CA); Orange County District Attorney’s Office (CA); Oregon Department of Human Services (OR); Peabody Police Department (MA); Phoenix Police Department (AZ); Portland Police Department Victim Assistance (OR); Portland Metro Gang Task Force (OR); Miami Beach Police Department (FL); Portland Police Bureau (OR); Prince William County Police Department (VA); Rankin County Sheriff's Office (MS); Richton Pack Police Department (IL); Riverside Police Department (CA); Rosemont Police Department (IL); Sacramento County Sheriff's Office (CA); Sacramento Police Department (CA); Salem Police Department (MA); San Diego Police Department (CA); San Francisco Police Department (CA); Sandy Springs Police Department (GA); Saugus Police Department (MA); Sauk Village Police Department (IL); Seattle Police Department (WA); Sexual Assault Resource Center (OR); Skokie Police Department (IL); Southfield Police Department (MI); St. Louis Park Police Department (MN); Swampscott Police Department (MA); Tacoma Police Department (WA); Tigard Police Department (OR); Toledo Police Department (OH); United States Attorney’s Office; Walpole Police Department (MA); Washington County Sheriff's Office (OR); Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office (MI); Wayne County Sheriff's Office (MI); Wellesley Police Department (MA); Westmont Police Department (IL); Will County Sheriff’s Police Department (IL); and Willowbrook Police Department (IL).

All of the charges announced today are merely accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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America's Most Wanted on FOX

Glen Holmes Jr.: Conroe, Texas Police say Glen Holmes Jr. carjacked Barry Thomas, before fatally shooting him in the back. Holmes then proceeded to hold up the drive-through, demanding tacos to go, before leading cops on a high-speed chase.
http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=60000

Michael Bresnahan: He's accused of breaking into a house in a quaint New England town and raping a 61-year-old retiree. But after a year on the run and a manhunt that included six states, Michael Bresnahan's run from justice has ended. AMW spoke to his alleged victim, police and the tipsters who turned him in on the opposite side of the country, in Oregon.
http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=54333

Unknown Tammy Vincent Killers: Almost 30 years have passed since police were called to an isolated beach 20 miles north of San Francisco to investigate a grisly murder scene that centered around the charred remains of a teenage Jane Doe. For years, cops tried to identify the girl and figure out the events surrounding her death, but it wasn't until AMW lent a helping hand that parts of the puzzle began to fit together. Authorities now know that the murdered girl -- 16-year-old Tammy Vincent -- was the girl embroiled in the middle of a state's case against a sleazy Seattle strip club whose owners, cops believe, had her killed for the things she knew.
http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=47984

Unknown Shannon Paulk Killer: AMW recently teamed up with Pauley Perrette, the star of the prime time crime drama NCIS, to help investigators solve the murders of two young girls: Shannon Paulk in Prattville, Ala., and Raven Jeffries in Detroit. Perrette was touched by Shannon's story because of her own family ties to the Prattville area, so she donated a $10,000 reward to help catch Shannon's killer.
http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=40267

Unknown Raven Jeffries Killer: In August 2006, 7-year-old Raven Jeffries was playing outside of her home in Detroit, Mich., when she was kidnapped. Just days after her disappearance, police say that her burned body was found in a field in a neighboring town. Now, AMW is teaming up with Pauley Perrette from the hit crime drama NCIS to help solve the case. Pauley feels a special bond with Raven's case because her boyfriend, Michael, grew up near where the little girl was abducted. The actress has donated $10,000 reward to help find the person who killed Raven.
http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=40042

Lisa Williamson Killer: Actress Pauley Perrette, from the hit show "NCIS," has helped America's Most Wanted hunt two child killers. Now, she's turned to AMW to ask for help in solving the murder of her friend, Lisa Williamson.
http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=62935

Catch America's Most Wanted on FOX, Saturdays 9 pm ET/PT, 8 pm CT
Visit us at www.amw.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/americasmostwanted

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SBA Warns of Fraudulent Attempts to Obtain Bank Account Information from Small Businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration issued a scam alert today to small businesses, warning them not to respond to letters falsely claiming to have been sent by the SBA asking for bank account information in order to qualify them for federal tax rebates.

The fraudulent letters were sent out with what appears to be an SBA letterhead to small businesses across the country, advising recipients that they may be eligible for a tax rebate under the Economic Stimulus Act, and that SBA is assessing their eligibility for such a rebate. The letter asks the small business to provide the name of its bank and account number.

These letters have not been sent by or authorized by the SBA, and all small businesses are strongly advised not to respond to them.

The scheme is similar in many ways to e-mail scams often referred to as “phishing” that seek personal data and financial account information that enables another party to access and individual’s bank accounts or to engage in identity theft.

The SBA is working with the SBA Office of Inspector General to investigate this matter. The Office of Inspector General asks that anyone who receives such a letter report it to the OIG Fraud Line at 1 (800) 767-0385, or e-mail at OIGHotline@sba.gov.
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Buford Man Arrested for Threatening to Destroy FBI Buildings‏

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Jones, FBI Atlanta, announces the arrest of 23-year old MICHAEL ROBERT DEJONG of Buford, Georgia. DeJong was arrested at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2009, by Agents of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) for allegedly making false threats to destroy, via explosives, FBI buildings across the country. He has been charged via Criminal Complaint in the Northern District of Georgia with violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(e).

On February 4, 2009, the FBI received a bomb threat through its website, FBI.gov. The threat was anonymous, but was eventually traced by Agents to a publicly available internet computer in the Auburn, Georgia public library. A search warrant was obtained to examine the contents of the computer, and further investigation led Agents to identify DeJong as the suspect. It was during that investigation the Agents discovered DeJong had been arrested by the United States Secret Service and convicted of making threats against President Bush in 2007.

DeJong was arrested without incident at the Auburn home of a friend. He had an initial appearance before a United States Magistrate the same day of his arrest, and remains in custody pending a probable cause and bond hearing scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2009.

The public is reminded that all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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DHR Warns Georgia's Seniors to Watch Out for Two Scams

As the economy continues to decline and more people struggle financially, scams are on the rise again – including the resurfacing of the “Grandma Scam.” The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) wants older adults across the state to be aware, as many scam artists often target seniors. Scam artists will either rely on an old scam with a new twist or create a new scam in order to steal money from those who have worked and saved over the years. Older adults may fall victim to scams because they are home during the day to answer the phone or the door – two primary means of entry for scam artists.

States such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Virginia have witnessed firsthand the re-emergence of the Grandma Scam. A scam artist usually telephones and begins the conversation by saying, “Hi, Grandma, it’s me, your favorite grandchild.” The unsuspecting grandparent will usually respond with a grandchild’s name (i.e., “Johnny…?”). With this information, the caller pretends to be “Johnny” and makes a pitch about being in trouble and in need of money. These scam stories include being in an automobile accident in a rental car, in the hospital or being under arrest and in need of bail money. The imposter grandchild often pleas for the grandparent not to call their parents and promises to pay them back in a few days. Anyone receiving a call like this or with any similarities should hang up.

DHR advises older adults to take steps to verify that the person is who they say they are. Individuals should ask them for information only the grandchild would know or call other family members and confirm the whereabouts of your grandchild.

Another phone scam was recently attempted in Bibb County. A person calls identifying themselves as part of your credit card company fraud department. The caller usually states that they are verifying your account or they have noted some unusual charges on your account and need to verify that you have your card. Then they ask you to read off your credit card number and expiration date. The caller is NOT from the credit card company; they are trying to gain access to your accounts so they can make fraudulent purchases. Never give out account information over the phone unless you initiated the call and you know you are talking to the credit card company directly.

To protect your loved ones, educate your family and friends about these scams. Be wary anytime a request is made by someone who calls you and asks for you to wire them money; it’s a red flag. Wire transfers are hard to trace, so most scams involve money that is wire transferred. If you encounter this scam and want to report the incident, call your local law enforcement agency or contact the Division of Aging Services (DAS) at 1-800-669-8387.

DAS is also offering presentations around the state on how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud and scams. To schedule a free presentation in your area, call 404-657-9589.

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Former Federal Prosecutor Sued for Wrongful Death

/PRNewswire/ -- A former Assistant United States Attorney, Aaron Danzig, has been accused of grossly overreached in his investigation in the case versus Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals and its executives. According to a lawsuit filed in Fulton County Superior Court case number 2009CV164522, it has resulted in the wrongful death of Jessica Holda, the wife of Hi-Tech Vice President, Tom Holda.

Defendant Aaron Danzig tried to get Jessica Holda to cooperate against her husband, but was notified in writing that she was not interested. Defendant Danzig then launched a full scale campaign against Jessica Holda to intimidate her into providing information against her husband, under the threat that she would be indicted, tried, sent to jail, and thus denied visitation with her infant daughter.

The complaint alleges that Defendant Danzig had personal conversations, without knowledge or permission of counsel, wherein the Defendant urged Jessica Holda to inspect the house in which she lived to make copies of various documents which were the forwarded to Defendant. It is also alleged that Defendant Danzig directed warrantless searches by Drug Enforcement Administration personnel and installation of secret listening devices in Jessica's home and automobile.

As time passed Jessica became more paranoid and fearful that she would be arrested and her infant daughter would be taken away from her. Aaron Danzig also had the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services come to her home in an attempt to have the couple's 1 1/2-year-old daughter removed from her custody.

In the morning of February 19, 2007 Jessica Holda committed suicide with a gun she bought in December. In her suicide note, she stated that she had done nothing wrong. All she did was "trade a car." She went on to say: "I hope Aaron Danzig feels some kind of remorse. I blame him with my struggles of wanting to live."

This lawsuit was brought by Jeffrey Alan Jones, as executor of the Estate of Jessica Rose Hollibaugh Holda for the benefit of Amber Stephania Holda. The lawsuit charges Aaron Danzig for infliction of emotional distress upon Jessica Holda and Wrongful Death. It is alleged the conduct was intentional and reckless; and was extreme and outrageous for a public official, officer of the Court, and an attorney for the United States Government. Aaron Danzig is now a partner in the Atlanta law firm Arnall Golden Gregory. At the time of Jessica Holda's death she was 27 years old.

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Savannah Longshoreman Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

Edmund A. Booth, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, today announced that Bernard McCray, 33, an employee at the Georgia Ports in Savannah, pled guilty to Possession of Child Pornography in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A.

Booth noted that during the guilty plea hearing in U.S. District Court before U.S. DistrictJudge B. Avant Edenfield, the evidence showed McCray had taken sexually explicit photographs of a 14-year-old girl in his pickup truck using a cell phone camera. Booth stated that the offense of Possession of Child Pornography carries a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years and a $250,000 fine. Forfeiture of McCray’s pickup truck will also be addressed at the sentencing which has not yet been scheduled.

This case was the result of a joint investigation by the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department and Special Agent Joshua Hayes of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Kramer represented the Government.

Booth commented that this case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, which isa nationwide U.S. Department of Justice initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.

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On America's Most Wanted This Weekend

Sarah Pender: Less than two hours after AMW viewers saw Sarah Pender on the Top Ten Fugitives of 2008 show on Dec. 20, 2008, a quick-witted tipster went straight to authorities after recognizing her. Chicago Police wasted no time on following up on the tip, just in time to catch Pender as she was packing her bags to take off.
http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=58000

Jose Perez: In December 2004, Ingrid Perez was living with her father and three brothers in Miami Beach, Florida, until the night cops say Ingrid's father - Jose Antonio Perez - sexually assaulted her.
http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=41311

Jesus Duran: He was a Mexican-educated Texas schoolteacher, but cops say Jesus Duran crossed the line when he began inappropriately touching students.
http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=63104

Pedro Farjado: Cops say Pedro Ulloa Fajardo went to his wife's home on the evening of October 15, 2008 to hash out some differences that had been complicating their relationship. What cops know now is that Fajrado had no intention of mending their relationship -- he intended to end it forever.
http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=61451

Haleigh Cummings: Cops say missing girl Haleigh Cummings' father and his 17-year-old girlfriend have voluntarily taken polygraphs, but police aren't releasing results. Searchers from more than ten agencies continue to scour Satsuma, Fla. for 5-year-old Haleigh by land, sea and air, and cops say members of Texas Equusearch plan to begin a search for the girl Friday.
http://www.amw.com/missing_children/brief.cfm?id=63252

Unknown Rory Forehand Killer: While attending a Harlem support group over the death of his sister, Helen Hill, Jake found that there were countless other families who suffered the same horrible pain. That's why he sought out the help of AMW, again, to find the person who murdered a man he'd learned so much about but never even met.
http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=63313

Catch America's Most Wanted on FOX, Saturdays 9 pm ET/PT, 8 pm CT
Visit us at www.amw.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/americasmostwanted
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ATF Doubles Reward for Information on Fort Benning J.A.G. Office Building Fire

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) today announced that they are offering an additional $5,000 for information that would assist investigators in determining the cause of the fire that occurred on Feb. 6, at the Ft. Benning Judge Advocate General (J.A.G.) Office building.

ATF is matching the $5,000 reward offered earlier by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) for information on the fire.

Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact CID at 706-545-8915 or e-mail CID at crimetips@conus.army.mil, or ATF's 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-888-ATF-FIRE (1-888-283-3473).

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National Law Enforcement Museum Remains on Track

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Planners for the first-ever National Law Enforcement Museum today announced an extended timeline and substantial cost-saving measures "to keep the project on track despite the very challenging economic times that our nation is facing."

The new plan calls for construction to commence in the fall of 2010, with completion expected by mid-2013. The Museum will be located in Washington D.C.'s historic Judiciary Square, adjacent to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

The cost of the project will be reduced by $29 million, largely the result of moving off-site an entire level of administrative space intended for staff, and scrapping plans to relocate a maze of utility lines that run under a portion of the land Congress has designated for the Museum. In addition to lower construction expenses, the cost of operating the Museum once it opens will also be substantially reduced under the new plan.

"The result of these modifications will be a high-tech, interactive, world-class Museum exploring our nation's law enforcement profession, at a much more affordable price in today's difficult economy," said Craig W. Floyd, Chairman and CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), which is in charge of the project. "These changes were necessary and fiscally prudent given the stark economic realities we are dealing with," he added. The revised plan was approved last week by the NLEOMF's Board of Directors, representing 16 of the country's largest and most prestigious law enforcement organizations.

The overall size of the Museum will be scaled back from a four-level, 100,000 square foot building to a three-level, 55,000 square foot facility. "We recognized how hard it is to borrow and raise money in the current economic climate," said Mr. Floyd. "So, we challenged our architects, Davis Buckley Architects and Planners, to develop a plan that would substantially reduce costs without impacting our overall mission, and they figured out a way to make it happen," explained Mr. Floyd.

In addition to the administrative level of the building, other areas to be eliminated or reduced include the cafe and atrium space. Two-thirds of the exhibit space will be retained under the revised plan, along with a theater, Museum shop and dedicated areas for education and research. The Museum's glass entrance pavilions and plaza will also remain unchanged. "We are committed to honoring the recognition opportunities that have already been secured by our generous donors, including all of our 'Thin Blue Line' and theater seat donors," said Mr. Floyd.

In 2000, the U.S. Congress authorized the Museum to be built on Federal land across the street from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, and required a start date by November 2010. The authorizing law requires the Museum to be funded by private donations.

Mr. Floyd reported that more than $37 million has been raised to date for the Museum, but he said that the economic downturn has slowed the effort and the credit crisis has made it virtually impossible to borrow money at affordable rates for museum projects. "The credit market and the economy will revive, but the timing is uncertain, and we want to see our Museum become a reality sooner rather than later," Mr. Floyd stated. "The story of law enforcement's extraordinary contributions to our nation needs and deserves to be told. We are going to make it happen."

For more information about the National Law Enforcement Museum, visit www.LawEnforcementMuseum.org.

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ATF National Response Team Activated to Army J.A.G. Office Building Fire

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At the request of the United States Army, Criminal Investigation Command, the National Response Team (NRT) from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with ATF special agents from the Atlanta Field Division, have entered into the investigation of a fire that occurred on the Fort Benning U.S. Army post. The fire occurred on Feb. 6, 2009, at the Judge Advocate General (J.A.G.) Office building. The J.A.G. office was approximately 10,000 square feet and was totally destroyed by the fire. The investigation is continuing.

The NRT arrived in town and began work at the scene today alongside military investigators in reconstructing the scene, identifying the origin of the fire, conducting interviews, and sifting through debris.

In 1978, ATF developed the NRT to provide resources to federal, state and local investigators in meeting the challenges faced at the scenes of significant fire and explosives incidents. The NRT consists of four teams organized geographically to cover the United States. Each team can respond within 24 hours to assist state and local law enforcement/fire service personnel in onsite investigations.

In addition to investigating hundreds of large fire scenes, the NRT has also been activated to scenes such as the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the Oklahoma City federal building bombing and the 9/11 Pentagon crash site, as well as explosions at explosives and ammunition manufacturing plants, legal fireworks factories and illegal explosive device manufacturing operations.

The teams are each composed of veteran special agents who have post blast and fire origin-and-cause expertise; forensic chemists; explosives enforcement officers; fire protection engineers; accelerant detection canines; explosives detection canines; intelligence support, computer forensic support and audit support.

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Member of Human Trafficking Ring Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking Charges

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Raul Cortes-Meza, 21, aka "Oscar," a Mexican national, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Atlanta to sex trafficking of a minor from Mexico, Acting Assistant Attorney General Loretta King of the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney David E. Nahmias for the Northern District of Georgia announced.

According to the information presented in court, Cortes-Meza harbored a 17-year-old girl in the United States after she was pursued romantically by Cortes-Meza's alleged co-conspirator in Mexico, then smuggled into the United States and brought to the Norcross, Ga., area. After the victim's arrival in Norcross, Cortes-Meza, knowing that the victim was under 18 years of age, drove her to numerous apartments in the Atlanta metropolitan area to have sex with paying clients. Cortes-Meza instructed the victim to enter the apartments and provide fifteen minutes of sexual services to each man who was present, and subsequently collected money from the men with whom the victim engaged in commercial sex.

"Human trafficking occurs in hidden corners across the country," said Loretta King, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "Few crimes are more reprehensible than profiting from the sexual exploitation of a minor. The Department is committed to enforcing laws that put human traffickers behind bars."

"Human trafficking violates basic human rights and will not be tolerated," said U.S. Attorney David E. Nahmias. "Using girls under the age of 18 to engage in commercial sex acts is a serious violation of federal law. The victimization of the young woman in this case was unfortunately made easier by her illegal status, unfamiliarity with U.S. laws, and fear of law enforcement instilled in her by the trafficker. Federal laws protect all victims of such heinous crimes, whether or not they are U.S. citizens. No victim should fear coming forward to report illegal activity."

The sex trafficking of a minor charge to which Cortes-Meza pleaded guilty carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled by the court.

The prosecution of human trafficking offenses is a top priority of the Justice Department. In fiscal year 2008, the Section filed the largest number of federal criminal civil rights cases ever in a single year in the history of the Civil Rights Division, including a record number of both sex trafficking and labor trafficking cases.

The case is being investigated by special agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Karima Maloney and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Corey Steinberg and Susan Coppedge for the Northern District of Georgia.

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Firearm Sales Continue Upward in January

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Despite a weak economy and slumping retail sales, firearm sales continued to increase in January, continuing an upswing that began after November's election.

Data from the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) show background checks on the sale of firearms jumped 28.8 percent in January when compared to January 2008. The increase follows a 24 percent rise in December and a 42 percent jump in November, when a record 1,529,635 background checks were performed.

FBI background checks are required under federal law for all individuals purchasing firearms from federally licensed retailers. These checks serve as a strong indicator of actual sales.

"Since the election, sales of firearms -- in particular handguns and semi-automatic hunting and target rifles -- are fast outpacing inventory," said Steve Sanetti, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry. "Americans are clearly concerned about their ability to be able to purchase these products in an uncertain future."

NICS reported 1,213,885 checks in January, up from 942,556 in the same month a year ago. Last year, a total of 12,709,023 background checks were reported, up 14 percent from 2007.

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Man Arrested in New Mexico for Sending Threatening White Powder-Laced Hoax Letters to Banks Across the U.S.

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At a press conference held today in Dallas, acting U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas, Robert E. Casey, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas FBI, and Randall C. Till, Postal Inspector in Charge of the Fort Worth Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, announced that special agents and postal inspectors arrested Richard Leon Goyette, a/k/a Michael Jurek, 47, yesterday at the airport in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on a charge in a federal complaint related to his mailing of 65 threatening letters to financial institutions in October 2008. Sixty-four of the 65 letters contained an unidentified white power, along with a threat that the person breathing the powder would die within 10 days. The powder tested negative for any hazardous materials. All 65 threat letters were mailed through the U.S. Postal Service and were postmarked from Amarillo, Texas, on October 18, 2008. Goyette is scheduled to make his initial appearance today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Albuquerque.

"Mr. Goyette's alleged criminal actions caused emergency responders and hazardous response teams immense unnecessary labor and expense, diverted personnel from actual emergencies, completely disrupted business at these financial institutions, and caused untold emotional distress to those who received the letters," said acting U.S. Attorney Jacks. "Those who send threatening letters, whether they contain white powder or not, even if their threat is a hoax, will be prosecuted with the full resources of this office," Jacks continued.

Robert E. Casey, Jr. stated, "I would like to thank the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and the FBI Agents from the Albuquerque and Dallas FBI Offices whose determination, methodical investigation, and expertise led to today's developments. Sending a hoax letter threatening imminent death and containing unknown substances is a serious crime that drains precious, limited, first responder resources. The mailings resulted in police, fire, and hazmat teams responding to emergency calls in numerous states, causing anxiety, disruption, and financial costs. As the arrest in Albuquerque reflects, these crimes will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted."

"Richard Goyette's arrest as the mailer of the 'Chase Bank letters' should serve as a warning to those who believe they can anonymously use the mail to terrorize the American public," said Inspector in Charge Till. "As Postal Inspectors, our mission is to ensure the safety of the Postal Service and we will spare no resource to uncover your identity and to bring you to justice. The American public should know this arrest is the result of exceptional interagency cooperation between U.S. Postal Inspectors, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Attorney's Offices in the Northern District of Texas and the District of New Mexico, as well as the numerous state and local agencies throughout the U.S. that responded to the more than 60 letters mailed by the suspect."

The criminal complaint charges that on October 18, 2008, Goyette knowingly and intentionally conveyed false and misleading information when he sent letters to Chase Bank, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) that contained an unknown white powder and the threat that the person breathing the powder would die within 10 days, in violation of 18 USC § 1038. Each offense carries a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

On September 25, 2008, the OTS seized Washington Mutual Bank from its holding company, Washington Mutual, Inc., and placed it into receivership. The FDIC was named receiver and as a result, the value of the stock in the holding company, Washington Mutual, Inc., fell to less than one dollar per share. The following day, the FDIC sold the bank's deposits, branches, and loan portfolio to JP Morgan Chase & Co.

On September 26, 2008, and September 29, 2008, a person using "richgoyet@yahoo.com" sent two emails to OTS, both critical of the handling of the Washington Mutual Bank closure and subsequent sale of assets to JP Morgan Chase & Co. In the September 26, 2008 email, he said he lost $63,525 on his stock in Washington Mutual, Inc. He also accused OTS and FDIC of being corrupt and accused JP Morgan Chase of "shaft[ing] a second set of shareholders." He sent a nearly identical email to the FDIC that same day.

In the September 29, 2008, email from "richgoyet@yahoo.com" to OTS, the writer provided his name and address as Richard Goyette, PO Box 2322, Tijeras, N.M. He stated in part:

"I told myself I was not going to accept anymore losses due to the reasons I mentioned. I have pursued a path of doing things right, but unfortunately I've paid a terrible price for those who will do whatever it takes to defraud, steal, manipulate, and screw over average stockholders. This seizure was the final straw and I will now pursue any path to get the return of my investment. Since legal means are apparently useless, I will have to consider any viable method applicable to rightfully reclaim my stolen funds."

Goyette sent a nearly identical email to the FDIC that same day, Sept. 29, 2008. On Oct. 7, 2008, he sent an email to an attorney who had been retained to handle investor inquires for Washington Mutual, and in that email stated "[I will] most likely have to employ the same type of tactics used to cheat WaMu shareholders to recover stolen assets if all meaningful efforts to rectify this situation don't come to fruition."

On Oct. 20, 2008, anonymous threat letters began arriving at Chase Bank, OTS, and FDIC offices nationwide. Over the next several days, a total of 65 threat letters were received in 11 different states and the District of Columbia. Also included in the letters was the sentence fragment "Steal tens of thousands of people's money and not expect repercussions (sic)."

The 65th letter to JP Morgan Chase & Co. did not contain white powder but included a threat of the "McVeighing of your corporate headquarters within six months." This letter also threatened to "utilize any strategy and tactic to inflict financial damage to your company."

The investigation revealed that a computer in a library on the University of New Mexico's Albuquerque campus was used in early October to access Chase's web site and search for addresses for nearly all of the Chase Bank locations that later received white powder threat letters. The same computer was used the same day to access OTS's website and search for all the OTS office locations that later received white powder threat letters. It was also used the same day to access the FDIC's website. Richard Goyette listed his address in the emails as Tijeras, N.M., which is a small community located on the outskirts of Albuquerque.

In addition, a computer at Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque was used to conduct branch locator searches on Chase's website on Sept. 30, 2008 -- six days prior to the computer searches at the University of New Mexico. Records obtained from Yahoo! show that Goyette's angry emails to FDIC and OTS in late September were also sent from a computer at Central New Mexico Community College.

According to records obtained from Citibank, Jurek used a credit card to rent a car in Albuquerque on Oct. 17, 2008, the day before the threat letters were postmarked. Goyette, using his New Mexico driver's license under the Jurek name, rented the car at 11:51 a.m. at Enterprise Rent-a-Car in Albuquerque and obtained permission to drive the car into Texas. He returned the car approximately 24 hours later on Oct. 18, 2008, at 11:48 a.m., putting 630 miles on the car. It is approximately 284 miles from Albuquerque to Amarillo.

A federal complaint is a written statement of the essential facts of the offenses charged, and must be made under oath before a magistrate judge. A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

Acting U.S. Attorney Jacks praised the excellent, cooperative investigative efforts of the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Drake of the Amarillo, Texas, U.S. Attorney's Office is prosecuting.
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Work at Home Scams

Consumers need to be vigilant when seeking employment on-line.

The IC3 continues to receive numerous complaints from individuals who have fallen
victim to work-at-home scams.

Victims are often hired to "process payments", "transfer funds" or "reship products."
These job scams involve the victims receiving and cashing fraudulent checks, transferring
illegally obtained funds for the criminals, or receiving stolen merchandise and
shipping it to the criminals.

Other victims sign up to be a "mystery shopper", receiving fraudulent checks with
instructions to cash the checks and wire the funds to "test" a company's services.
Victims are told they will be compensated with a portion of the merchandise or funds.

Work-at-home schemes attract otherwise innocent individuals, causing them to become
part of criminal schemes without realizing they are engaging in illegal behavior.

Job scams often provide criminals the opportunity to commit identity theft when
victims provide their personal information, sometimes even bank account information
to their potential "employer." The criminal/employer can then use the victim's information
to open credit cards, post on-line auctions, register Web sites, etc., in the victim's
name to commit additional crimes.

If you have been a victim of Internet crime, please file a complaint at www.IC3.gov.

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Severe Weather Awareness Week Reminder: NOAA Weather Radios Save Lives

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) supports and the National Weather Service (NWS) in observing February 1-7, as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Georgia.

"Encouraging local residents to install a NOAA weather radio in their home is our focus for Monday, February 2, day two of the week-long observance," said GEMA Director Charley English.

Director English recommends the placement of these life-saving devices in every structure where people gather. "Every building needs a NOAA weather radio so the people inside can receive immediate severe weather or emergency information, when minutes or even seconds count, day or night. This early warning can be the difference between life and death," he said.

NOAA weather radio is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information direct from a nearby National Weather Service office. NOAA weather radio broadcasts National Weather Service watches, warnings, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day.

Some weather radios are equipped with a special tone feature, which can sound an alert and give you immediate information about a life threatening situation. During an emergency, the National Weather Service will interrupt routine weather radio programming and send out a special tone that activates weather radios in the warning area.

Recently, a radio that can handle the Emergency Alert Signal was introduced. The Specific Area Message Encoder (SAME) tone alert can be set up to only sound for a single county. This cuts down on the number of unwanted tones you receive, and, for example, alerts you only when a life threatening situation exists in your county.

In Georgia, there are 23 transmitters broadcasting throughout the state. Seven frequencies are reserved for NOAA weather radio on the public service band. These frequencies range between 162.400 megahertz and 162.550 megahertz. Broadcast range is approximately 40 miles, but the effective range depends on terrain, quality of the receiver, and indoor/outdoor antennas.

Today, approximately 98 percent Georgia's population lives within range of a NOAA weather radio transmitter. This figure represents a 58 percent increase from ten years ago.

"Signal reception is almost 100 percent statewide, so if you don't have a weather radio in your home, please buy one immediately. It could save your family," Director English urges.

To make sure your area is covered, check this listing of all NOAA weather radio transmitters and corresponding frequencies in Georgia:

Americus_162.425 MHz
Athens_162.400 MHz
Atlanta_162.550 MHz
Augusta_162.550 MHz
Baxley_162.525 MHz
Blue Ridge_162.475 MHz
Brasstown Bald_162.500 MHz
Buchanan_162.425 MHz
Chatsworth_162.400 MHz
Cleveland_162.525 MHz
Columbus_162.400 MHz
Eastman_162.400 MHz
Eatonton_162.525 MHz
La Grange_162.450 MHz
Macon_162.475 MHz
Pelham_162.550 MHz
Sandersville_162.450 MHz
Savannah_162.400 MHz
Taylor's Ridge_162.450 MHz
Thomaston_162.500 MHz
Valdosta_162.500 MHz
Waycross_162.475 MHz
Waynesboro_162.425 MHz

For more information, contact GEMA at www.gema.g.gov or visit these Web sites: www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc/ or www.redcross.org.
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