New Top Ten Fugitive - Suspect in 2007 Double Murder

Wanted by the FBI: A Georgia man wanted for his alleged participation in a 2007 execution-style double murder has been added to our Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, and we are offering a $100,000 reward for information leading directly to his arrest.

Michael Jason Registe, born in Fort Benning, Georgia, is believed to be 26 years old, but has used dates of birth ranging from 1982 to 1989. He is 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighs about 140 pounds, and has a number of tattoos, including the cartoon character Yosemite Sam on his right forearm with the words "Stick Up Kid" underneath it.

The charges. On July 20, 2007, officers with the Columbus, Georgia Police Department arrived at the scene of a shooting, where they found two males inside a truck. Both had suffered execution-style gunshot wounds to the back of their heads. One of the victims died at the scene, and the other died shortly afterward. An investigation into the murders pointed to Registe, and arrest warrants were obtained charging him with allegedly committing the crimes. On July 23, 2007, a federal warrant was issued charging Registe with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. He is also wanted by the Columbus Police Department on an unrelated charge of aggravated assault for a 2005 shooting in which the victim was severely wounded.

Registe is known to go by several aliases, including Michael Register, Michael Registe Jr., Jason Registe, Kareem Luke Penn, Hakeem Luke Penn, David Nathaniel Noland, and David N. Noland. He has ties to the United States Virgin Islands, specifically the island of St. Thomas.

Registe has several tattoos, including one showing the Yosemite Sam cartoon character with the words "Stick Up Kid" underneath (see far right photo).

We need your help. If you have information that you believe may be helpful to this investigation, contact our Atlanta office or submit a tip on our Tips and Public Leads webpage. Registe should be considered armed and dangerous.

Fall Results in Death - Peachtree City Police Requests Assistance

On July 19, 2008, at 2:48 p.m., the Peachtree City Police Department, along with Peachtree City Emergency Medical Services responded to a medical call at 504 Willow Road. Dispatch Operators at the Fayette County 911 Center advised that a female of an unknown age had fallen, hit her head and was unconscious. Upon their arrival officers found Sharmane Phillips, age 47, unconscious with evidence of a possible head injury. Medical personnel immediately began treating Ms. Phillips and she was subsequently air-lifted to the Atlanta Medical Center for emergency treatment.

Witnesses at the residence informed police that Ms. Phillips fell down the stairs to her basement following a domestic dispute. Initially, Ms. Phillips failed to regain consciousness and was listed in Critical Condition in the Intensive Care Unit of Atlanta Medical Center.

On Sunday, July 20, 2008, Ms. Phillips succumbed to her injuries and was removed from life support systems. An autopsy has been ordered by the Fayette County Coroner’s Office and will be performed by Medical Examiners from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is requested to contact the Peachtree City Police Department at 770-487-8866 during business hours or our 24 hour tip line at 770-487-6010. You may remain anonymous.

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New Federal Law Mandates Child Resistant Portable Gasoline Containers

Children and gasoline don't mix. With the passage of the Children's Gasoline Burn Prevention Act, an additional layer of fire safety and burn protection has been added for families across the country.

President George W. Bush signed the Act into law which requires portable gasoline containers manufactured for sale in the U.S. on or after January 17, 2009 to conform to child resistance safety requirements.

Gasoline containers will join containers with other flammable liquids, such as turpentine, charcoal lighter fluid, and torch fuel that are required to have child resistant closures. CPSC has jurisdiction over child resistant product packaging.

"Families who purchase gasoline cans with child resistant gas caps and who keep all flammable liquids out of the sight and reach of children are improving the safety of their homes," said CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord.

CPSC recommends these safety tips for consumers.

Buy a gasoline container that is child resistant.

Place a gasoline container in a well ventilated, cool area.

Never store gasoline or other fuel inside the house, in the basement, or near a fuel-burning appliance, open flames, pilot lights, stoves, heaters, electric mowers, or any other sources of ignition.

Never smoke near gasoline.

Never carry gasoline in the trunk of the car. Escaping vapors can easily ignite.

Keep gasoline, kerosene and other fuels out of the reach of children. Never permit children to play with matches or fuel.

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FBI 100 - The Top Ten Moments in FBI History

GPSN Note: Happy Anniversary FBI! Thanks for protecting us all these years!

Over the course of a century—during which we’ve been involved in just about every major event in U.S. history and had countless innovations and famous cases—it’s hard to pick just ten. But here, in chronological order, are our choices for the top ten moments in FBI history…

1) July 26, 1908 – The Bureau is Born

No surprise on this one. But what you may not know is that our origins were somewhat tentative and filled with political intrigue. By early 1908, Teddy Roosevelt’s Attorney General—Charles Bonaparte—was growing weary of borrowing investigators from other agencies for federal cases under his jurisdiction. When Congress outlawed that practice in May, he had no choice but to pull together his own corps of agents. On July 26, Bonaparte sent a memo to his department announcing this new “force of special agents.” It started small, with just 34 agents and no name. And it was considered something of an experiment by both Bonaparte and Congress. But over time the force started making a difference…and the rest is history.

2) May 10, 1924 – Hoover Takes the Helm

Appointed to clean up a scandal-plagued Bureau, 29-year-old Acting Director J. Edgar Hoover immediately began instituting a series of reforms that transformed the FBI into the professional law enforcement organization that it is today. Over the next decade, Hoover strengthened the organizational and hiring practices of the Bureau, created a central repository for criminal identification and criminal history records, instituted a technical laboratory (the forerunner of today’s FBI Lab), began gathering and reporting national crime stats, and fostered a rigorous training program for American and international law enforcement alike. Though often remembered more for controversies in his later years, Hoover played a vital role in lifting the overall capabilities and professionalism of the FBI and U.S. law enforcement.

The scene outside the railroad station shortly after the "Kansas City" Massacre

3) June 17, 1933 – The Kansas City Massacre

It’s hard to imagine today, but for the Bureau’s first quarter-century agents weren’t allowed to make their own arrests, and they only carried weapons in limited cases. That began to change one shocking morning outside a train station in Kansas City, Missouri, when Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd and other gangsters suddenly opened fire on a group of lawmen transporting an escaped con back to prison. Killed in the hail of bullets were two police officers, a police chief, and a Bureau special agent. The public was stunned by what became known as the “Kansas City Massacre,” and Congress responded within a year by authorizing special agents to carry guns, to make arrests, and to tackle a wider array of gangster crime, which has helped us protect the nation ever since.

John Dillinger, who met his end on July 22, 1934

4) July 22, 1934 – The Death of Dillinger

In many ways, John Dillinger was the most notorious of the Depression-era gangsters, the leader of a ruthless band of gun-slinging bank robbers and crooks who was able to charm the press and American people into believing he was a harmless Robin Hood. Dillinger’s fame and ability to elude the law were reaching disastrous levels when we joined the hunt for him in the winter of 1933/1934. Despite a few stumbles along the way, Bureau agents tracked Dillinger down on July 22 and shot him dead in the streets of Chicago as he reached for his gun. The successful investigation catapulted the largely-unknown agency to worldwide fame and was the beginning of the end of the lawless gangster years.

5) June 26, 1939 – Getting Ready for War

More than two years before bombs fell on Pearl Harbor, the FBI was already preparing to protect the nation from its wartime enemies. It started when President Franklin Roosevelt signed a secret order in June 1939 putting the FBI (and the Army and Navy to a lesser extent) in charge of homeland security, including espionage, sabotage, and subversion. In June 1940, we were also asked to collect foreign intelligence in Central and South America. Our ensuing “Special Intelligence Service,” or SIS—a little-known initiative even now—ended up producing a trove of intelligence and outing some 887 Axis spies. Though later dissolved with the creation of the CIA, the SIS laid the groundwork for our network of international offices, which are vital to our ability to combat global crime and terror today. And overall, our work before and during the war ensured that not a single act of enemy-directed sabotage was carried out on U.S. soil.

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg ride with Morton Sobell (far left), another convicted member of the Rosenberg's spy ring, as the jury deliberates

6) September 1, 1947 – To Catch a Spy

Intelligence was not new to the FBI; neither was cooperating with the Army. But in September 1947, these two things started to come together in a powerful way when Special Agent Wesley Reynolds was briefed on a top secret Army cryptanalytic program and brought decoded Soviet spy messages back to the Bureau. In the spring of 1948, Special Agent Robert Lamphere became interested in these messages and combined his expertise and the Bureau’s growing knowledge of Soviet espionage with the work of the Army’s brilliant cryptanalyst Meredith Gardner. Together, the two began to make sense of Soviet telegrams sent from the U.S. and other western countries during World War II. Soon they were on the trail of Soviet spies like Judith Coplon, Klaus Fuchs, Julius Rosenberg, and many others. Their work and that of their successors—a project now known as Venona—allowed the FBI and its partners to identify more than 100 Soviet agents, keep traitors from accessing crucial national secrets, and start moving more proactively against Soviet intelligence in the 1950s and beyond. When Venona was declassified in 1995, it led to a significant re-evaluation of Cold War history.

This burnt-out station wagon led to the case name "MIBURN," short for Mississippi Burning.

7) June 21, 1964 – Mississippi Burning

By the early 1960s the civil rights movement was starting to make headway in America, but the backlash from the KKK and others was growing. When three young men who had volunteered to help register African-American voters in Mississippi disappeared suddenly on June 21, 1964, President Johnson called on the FBI to investigate, and we did so rigorously. Within a short time, we found the young men’s burnt-out station wagon (thus the famous case name “MIBURN”), located their bodies, and gathered important evidence that led to indictments. Although it took a long time (decades, tragically) to secure a measure of justice in the courtroom, national outrage over the crime helped spur passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Together with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, these laws—for the first time—put real teeth into the FBI’s ability to defend the rights and freedoms of all Americans. We’ve used them to great effect ever since.

8) October 15, 1970 – New Law of the Land

In the fall of 1970, Congress passed the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly called “RICO,” as part of a larger bill. What a huge milestone it turned out to be. Finally, the FBI had the legal muscle to go after criminal enterprises like the Mafia the right way—investigating their entire organizations, leaders and all, instead of just individuals who had committed a crime. Thanks to this legislation and other new approaches (like using undercover agents and Title III wiretaps to gather evidence), we were soon working with our partners to dismantle entire mob families from the top down and putting a serious dent in the Mafia’s corrupting and violent ways. We’ve also used the law over the years to combat street gangs, drug rings, corruption activities, and even terrorist financing activities in this country.

The Watergate complex, site of the famous breakin

9) November 18, 1975 – Domestic Intelligence Redefined

During the early 1970s, especially after J. Edgar Hoover died in May 1972, revelations began to surface about potential abuses in the intelligence community. In 1975, on the heels of Watergate and the changing political climate it engendered, Senator Frank Church opened a series of hearings unlike any before into domestic intelligence issues. Front and center was the FBI, which was sharply criticized for its investigation of Dr. Martin Luther King, its surveillance practices, and other concerns. In response, the Bureau accelerated its re-evaluation of its domestic security programs and worked with the Attorney General to craft guidelines governing domestic security operations. These changes established clearer parameters for FBI cases and made agents more respectful than ever of the need to protect constitutional rights.

A pair of FBI employees inside the Pentagon shortly after the 9/11 attacks

10) September 11, 2001 – America is Attacked

In one horrific morning, everything changed for America—and for the FBI. The attacks quickly became the most massive investigation in our history, with a quarter of all agents and support personnel directly involved. And even before the dust settled, we had a new overriding mission: to stop terrorists before they strike. The FBI had prevented dozens of terrorist plots before 9/11—including nearly 60 during the 1990s alone. But these attacks showed that our strategic capabilities had to improve—that we needed to be more forward-leaning, more predictive, a step ahead of the next germinating threat. What followed was one of the most far-reaching transformations in FBI history, as we strengthened our counterterrorism and intelligence capabilities in profound new ways. The result has been innumerable successes over the past seven years, from heading off developing plots here in the U.S. to helping take out key terrorist operatives overseas by sharing key intelligence and information.

Two Men Sentenced for Making False Bomb Threat to CDC

QUANTAVIOUS GREENE, 28, of Jackson, Georgia, and ELIJAH CHANDLER, 21, of College Park, were sentenced today (July 16, 2008) by United States District Judge Orinda D. Evans on charges of aiding and abetting one another in using the telephone to call in a false bomb threat to the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and later making false statements to FBI agents regarding the call.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said of the case, “Bomb threats, whether real or false, cause untold costs to the community in terms of law enforcement response, lost working hours, and fear. Anyone who may be inclined to make a bomb threat on a whim should understand that we take those threats very seriously no matter the motivation. One of these defendants wanted to get off work early. Now he and his codefendant are going to federal prison.”

GREENE was sentenced to 4 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. GREENE pleaded guilty to the charges on November 15, 2007. CHANDLER was sentenced to 6 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. CHANDLER pleaded guilty to the charges on January 25, 2008.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: On April 14, 2006, the CDC Office in Atlanta received a telephone call from a blocked telephone number. The caller stated that a bomb had been placed in the building and identified himself using the name of a former employee of the CDC who had been fired. DeKalb County Police responded and searched the building, but did not find any explosive devices. On the date the call was made, ELIJAH CHANDLER was employed by the CDC as a contract worker. Through a lengthy investigation, FBI agents determined that the former employee whose name was given by the caller did not make the call. Ultimately, the investigation led to GREENE and CHANDLER, both of whom at first gave false statements to the agents about their knowledge of the telephone call and telephone number used. The false statements further impeded the investigation. GREENE later confessed to making the call, stating that CHANDLER urged him to do so so that CHANDLER could leave work early.

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

Assistant United States Attorney Katherine Monahan Hoffer prosecuted the case.

TJ Max Robbery Arrest

Three people are in custody for the Saturday, May 31, 2008 armed robbery of TJ Maxx (119 Pavilion Parkway, Fayetteville, Georgia).

The store manager reported that while taking the money collected from the cash registers to an office, two black males pushed her into the office at gun point and ordered her to open the safe. The two men took the money from the safe as well as the money from the cash registers then taped the manager to a chair and ran out of the office.

Another TJ Maxx employee observed four black males run out a door at the back of the store.
With help from the United States Marshals Fugitive Squad, the Atlanta Police Department, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and Covington County Mississippi Sheriffs Office three men have been arrested.

Johnny Edison, a 30 year old, black, male, from Hampton, Georgia has been charged with party to a crime of kidnapping, party to a crime of aggravated assault, and party to a crime of armed robbery. Kevin Edison, 28 year old, black, male, from Taylorsville, Mississippi, has been charged with armed robbery. Lenard Barns, 29 year old, black, male, from Taylorsville, Mississippi, has been charged with armed robbery. Additional warrants and charges may be pending.
Johnny Edison is being held at the Fayette County Jail. Kevin Edison and Lenard Barns are being held in Covington County, Mississippi awaiting extradition.

DHR Supports New Law Requiring All DUI Offenders to be Assessed for Treatment

Effective July 1, the Multiple Offender Program of the Addictive Disease Section of the Department of Human Resources has been renamed the DUI Intervention Program. This change reflects HB 336 recently signed into law by Governor Sonny Perdue. Under the new DUI law, all DUI offenders are required to have a clinical evaluation and, if recommended, complete treatment. Previously, only multiple offenders had to have clinical evaluations.

"We see this as an opportunity to do earlier intervention with Georgia drivers who have significant alcohol problems," states Gwen Skinner, Director for the Georgia Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases. "As with all chronic diseases, the earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the better."

There are over 200,000 DUI arrests in Georgia each year. Research has estimated that the average driver arrested for a DUI has driven drunk between 400 and 700 times before. Additionally, 50% of first-time DUI offenders have alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence. Therefore, doing clinical evaluations after a first DUI will detect alcohol abuse and dependence for thousands of Georgians years earlier.

DHR is charged with establishing the registry of qualified clinical evaluators and treatment providers. Clinicians must be professionally licensed or certified by approved licensing bodies that have education standards, nationally standardized testing, oral case presentations, years of work experience, and annual continuing education.

Remarks as Delivered by Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey at the Operation Falcon Press Conference

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a transcript of remarks by Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey:

Good morning.

I am joined today by John Clark, Director of the United States Marshals Service; William Fallon, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Virginia and the Commander of Operation FALCON 2008; John Cary Bittick, Sheriff of Monroe County, Georgia, representing the National Sheriffs' Association; and Mark Marshall, Chief of Police in Smithfield, Virginia, representing the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

We are here to announce the successful conclusion of Operation FALCON 2008, a fugitive apprehension effort involving federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that took place from June 1 to June 30 of this year. Led by the U.S. Marshals Service, the operation resulted in the arrest of more than 19,000 fugitives from justice, and cleared more than 25,000 warrants, which makes it the single most productive fugitive apprehension effort in U.S. history.

This is the fifth Operation FALCON in five years. This year's good work brings the total number of fugitives captured as a result of FALCON operations to more than 55,000. That means many thousands of violent offenders, drug dealers, gang members and sexual predators have been removed from America's streets. In short, it means safer streets.

In just a few minutes, Director Clark will talk about more specific statistics from this year's operation. What I would like to do is simply to highlight the cooperation necessary to achieve these outstanding results, and to commend the many law enforcement agencies that stepped up and gave it.

FALCON stands for "Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally," and this truly was an organized and national effort. Under the leadership of Director Clark and Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Fallon, the level of partnership displayed among federal, state, and local law enforcement was unprecedented. It brought together more than 1,600 federal, state, and local agencies across virtually every federal district and 49 states.

The operation involved 30 different federal agencies alone, including the Marshals, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Postal Inspection Service to name just a few. Operation FALCON is a perfect example of how law enforcement can and should work together, and of the successes that come from that cooperation.

The operation also shows specifically the importance of working together with our state and local partners to reduce violent crime. This year's Operation FALCON was driven largely by the strong partnerships between the Marshals and their state and local counterparts, including the National Sheriffs' Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, both of which are represented here today.

Following the previous more targeted FALCON operations, state and local agencies expressed strong interest in working again with federal law enforcement to remove fugitives from their streets. So this year's operation aimed broadly at apprehending as many fugitives as possible, in as many communities as possible.

The result is not just a number or an abstract idea, but real differences for real people - for our citizens and for our communities. As a former judge, I have seen the destructive consequences even one dangerous fugitive can have on a community, and I have seen the benefits that come from removing that individual from the streets. Taking fugitives, especially violent fugitives, off our streets means fewer crimes and fewer victims.

Consider the case of two men who were arrested as part of Operation FALCON on June 27 in Laredo, Texas. They were wanted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for severely beating another man at a party. When they were arrested, agents found evidence of even more violence to come: several firearms, including a semi-automatic handgun and an AK-47 assault rifle, and numerous magazines for the firearms. Agents also located more than 50 grams of cocaine and equipment and supplies used to weigh and package narcotics. The two men now face additional drug and firearms charges.

They, like anyone charged in our legal system, are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and we welcome the opportunity to present their case in a court of law. But it is safe to say that the people of Laredo and elsewhere are more secure because these fugitives are in custody, and I salute the agents and officers involved in their capture.

Operation FALCON 2008, as I said earlier, is the fifth in a series of successful FALCON operations. The dedication and cooperation of all those participating in this year's FALCON operation serves as a continued warning to fugitives from justice that wherever they are hiding, we will work together to find them. Equally important, it gives assurance to all who live in communities threatened by violent gangs, child predators, or others hiding from the law, that there are U.S. Marshals and other law enforcement officers determined to join together and to fight those threats.

I would now like to turn the microphone over to the Director of the U.S. Marshals Service, John Clark.

NTSB Chairman Commends FAA on Major Advancement in Aviation Safety

National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Mark V. Rosenker today commended the U.S.
Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration for its final rule on fuel tank inerting. This rule is a result of a Safety Board recommendation aimed at eliminating fuel tank explosions in transport category aircraft. This recommendation has been on the Board's Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements since 2002.

"The NTSB congratulates the DOT and the FAA on this important safety achievement," said Chairman Rosenker. "From tragedy we draw knowledge to improve safety and today's
announcement represents a significant step toward avoiding future aviation accidents of this nature."

On July 17, 1996, TWA flight 800, a 747 en route from New York to Paris, exploded shortly after taking off from JFK Airport. 230 people lost their lives. In its final report, the Safety Board determined that the probable cause of the TWA 800 crash was an explosion of the center wing fuel tank, resulting from ignition of the flammable fuel/air mixture in the tank.

The Safety Board called upon the FAA to require design or operational changes that will preclude the operation of large airplanes with explosive fuel-air mixtures in the fuel tank. In particular, the Board recommended that the FAA give significant consideration to the development of airplane design modifications, such as nitrogen-inerting systems, and
to apply such modifications to newly certificated airplanes and, where feasible, to existing airplanes.

The rule issued today by the DOT was in response to the Safety Board's recommendation A-96-174.

GeorgiaBankRobbery.com Website Announced to Aid in Apprehending Suspects

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Jones, FBI Atlanta, in conjunction with the Georgia Association of Bank Security (GABS), is pleased to announce the following new aid to crime fighting in Georgia:

A new publicly accessed web site, GeorgiaBankRobbery.com, is designed to assist law enforcement in the identification and apprehension of suspects throughout Georgia. This web site features images of persons who may be involved in criminal activity and wanted for questioning. Through this web site, the public is urged to click on the image to send comments or contact law enforcement (a direct link with contact information for Atlanta Crime Stoppers is provided) should they recognize any of these individuals or know their whereabouts.

GeorgiaBankRobbery.com is sponsored by the member banks of the Georgia Association of Bank Security (GABS).

The Georgia Association of Bank Security (GABS) was formed in 1980 by Bank Security Directors from the Major Atlanta Financial Institutions, after discussions with each other found that they each had similar criminal activity that was affecting each others companies. They decided that one of the best ways they could help solve their own crimes was to help each other as a united group. They started sharing information about Bank Robbery Suspects and other financial crimes with not only each other but also the FBI, and Local & State Law Enforcement. They found out that not only was this group successful in solving crimes together, they could also be a unified force in making changes in security training, and driving new development for security equipment.

It’s Only a Test -- Clayton State Trying Out New Emergency Alert Siren System, July 14

It’s just a test.

Clayton State University’s Office of Public Safety is planning to test the campus’ newly-installed emergency alert siren system today, Monday, July 14. Times are yet to be determined.

Two sirens will sound, preceded by a voice message to the effect that this is a test of the campus alert system.

The sirens are placed in two locations on the Clayton State campus, one near the Athletics & Fitness Center on the west side of campus, and the other near the Maintenance Building on the far eastern side of the campus.

FAA Expands Runway Status Lights Nationwide

Acting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Robert Sturgell today announced new initiatives designed to improve runway safety at busy U.S. airports, including the installation of Runway Status Lights at major airports across the country. The agency expects to award a contract this fall to install the system at 20 additional airports over the next three years.

“Severe runway incursions are down,” said Sturgell. “And, we’re putting technology and procedures in place to keep it that way. We’re making changes on the runway and in the cockpit that are going to make a significant difference.”

The lights warn pilots when it is unsafe to cross or enter a runway, and are currently being tested at Dallas Ft. Worth and San Diego International Airports.

Runway status lights will be deployed at: Atlanta, Baltimore Washington International, Boston, Charlotte, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Denver, Detroit, Dulles, Ft. Lauderdale, Houston Intercontinental, John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Newark, O’Hare, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, and Seattle airports.

Sturgell also announced that the FAA will provide up to $5 million to test in-cockpit displays that increase runway safety. The funding will cover technology that includes either an aural runway alerting system that lets pilots know where they are on the runways they are entering, crossing, or departing; or an electronic flight bag, which is an electronic display system that gives pilots information about a variety of aviation data. Most electronic flight bags incorporate a feature called airport moving map that shows aircraft positions on the airfield.

In return for the funding, aircraft owners are expected to equip their aircraft to participate in a test bed program that will evaluate operational and safety data. The in-cockpit displays have the potential to help reduce pilot errors, which are now the cause of most runway incursions.

The FAA is also soliciting industry proposals to acquire and install low-cost ground surveillance systems at airports that are not scheduled to receive Airport Surface Detection Equipment (either ASDE-3 or ASDE-X) under current FAA programs. The goal is to increase surface situational awareness and safety margins at selected airports by making basic ground surveillance technology available. The FAA has evaluated two such systems at an airport in Spokane, Washington. This new procurement will support a pilot project deployment to six additional airports during 2009. More airports will be added after a final investment decision is approved. The FAA expects to make initial awards for the pilot project by the end of August 2008.

Sturgell said that improving runway safety and reducing the risk of runway incursions are two of the FAA’s top priorities. The number of serious runway incursions has dropped by more than 55 percent from FY 2001 through FY 2007. The FAA is working closely with industry to continue to improve safety on this nation’s airports.

Does Your Marketing Comply? How the CAN-SPAM Changes Affect Your Company

Rismedia - On July 7, the Federal Trade Commission’s new rules for the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 went into effect. If you are an e-mail marketer, you probably already have heard about this. But do you know exactly how those changes will affect your sending practices? To ensure you are in total compliance with the law, let’s look at the key issues of the new CAN-SPAM requirements.

If you don’t know anything about CAN-SPAM, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, 81 percent of e-mail marketers are unaware of the CAN-SPAM Act and its requirements. Here’s a quick recap: In 2004 when the law took effect, a lot of topics were unclear. It didn’t answer a lot of questions surrounding multiple senders or forward-to-a-friend. Also, industry critics were concerned that the 10-business-day rule for removing opt-out requests from a mailing list was too long. It was clear that a little tweaking would be necessary to clear up confusion among commercial e-mail marketers.

Now here we are, four years later. The new CAN-SPAM requirements clearly define “the sender,” and answer some marketers’ concerns around multiple-sender best practices. Here are the main points the new rules clarify:

- Multiple Advertisers: This is where it gets a little tricky, but stay with me. Multiple advertisers have the option of designating one person or party among them as the “CAN-SPAM sender.” This would actually work out to their advantage, as it significantly reduces the complexity of complying with the law in a joint-marketing scenario. If multiple senders do choose to do this, the “designated sender” may be the only one in the “From” line and is the only sender required to include an unsubscribe link and physical address.

In order to qualify as a sender in a multi-advertiser scenario, the law is also much more favorable now. To qualify as the “CAN-SPAM” sender, one must first be “advertising or promoting” one’s own products. Secondly, you must be an initiator of the e-mail. Only “initiators” that advertise their own product, service or Web site can qualify as a sender. After the above two conditions are met, the “From” line must show who will be the “designated sender.”

Keep in mind that this new “designated sender” rule is optional. Marketers can still have two senders in an e-mail if they want to, so that all parties are fully compliant. This is important to note, because if the “designated sender” fails to comply with the law, all other marketers in that message are now potentially liable for compliance.

- Opt-Out Process: The new requirements specify that senders cannot complicate the opt-out process. You can only require an e-mail address on the opt-out page that visitors get to when they click the “unsubscribe” link in your e-mail, and you can’t require a user to visit more than one Web page to opt out.
If you require users to log in to an account with a username and/or password to “manage their e-mail preferences” when all they want to do is unsubscribe, you’re out of compliance. If you have an opt-out survey or a five-page opt-out process designed to make your customers think twice before opting out, you are definitely not in compliance with the law. Charging a fee or requiring any information beyond their e-mail address is now strictly prohibited.

The single-page, single e-mail address form, Web-based opt-out has always been considered a best practice, and now that level of simplicity is a requirement by the law. Keep in mind that you can, however, ask for more information on the opt-out page — you just can’t require it.

One thing that did not change is the 10-day opt-out rule. The reality is that spammers do not honor opt-outs at all while legitimate marketers have not been opportunistic with the 10-business-day window, so the FTC saw no reason to shorten the time frame.

- Forward-to-a-Friend: If a marketer induces or offers an incentive to someone to forward a message, then that marketer has “initiated” that message, and full compliance with CAN-SPAM is required. This may not seem like a big deal, but it is an important clarification of this law. Full compliance means you must scrub outbound forwards that were induced or incented against your suppression list before delivering the forward. It means that an opt-out link and physical address must be included, and the “From” line should probably be the marketer rather than the individual that wants to forward the message. And to top it all off, it doesn’t matter if the forward was done inside the forwarder’s e-mail client or on your website. If the sending of the message is not procured by the advertiser, then the advertiser is not an “initiator” and can’t be held liable for CAN-SPAM compliance.

All in all, the new regulations are something that legitimate marketers should embrace, and make compliance and liability discussions easier to have. If you follow sending best practices, you may have nothing to worry about or change since the FTC’s position is well in line with the prevailing philosophy in the industry.

The one thing all marketers should check is their opt-out page. Make sure it complies with the new opt-out requirements, as that’s probably the one place where people are most out of compliance.

Whether you are starting from scratch or just ensuring you are on the right track, total compliance is in your hands.

By John Engler

John Engler is the vice president and general manager of UnsubCentral, an Austin, Tex.-based company that offers advertisers and affiliates CAN-SPAM suppression list management solutions.

Another Former Home Depot Emplyee Pleads Guilty to Vendor Kickback Scheme and Tax Evasion

AMES P. ROBINSON, 43, of Atlanta, Georgia, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of tax evasion, arising out of a scheme to defraud Home Depot.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said, “This defendant has now admitted to taking secret payoffs from Home Depot's foreign suppliers and not reporting or paying taxes on that corrupt income. Vendor kickbacks to corporate employees corrupt the honest operations of American businesses, and those who pay, receive, or solicit such payoffs may face federal prosecution.”

“Today's plea underscores the importance of holding accountable those who participate in kickback schemes that subvert the competitive process by placing their own interests above those of the companies that employ them,” said Thomas O. Barnett, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Department's Antitrust Division in Washington, D.C.

IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent In Charge Reginael D. McDaniel said, “The prosecution of individuals who intentionally conceal their income, even if obtained from illegal activity, is a vital element in maintaining public confidence in our tax system. We should not expect the honest taxpayer to foot the bill for those who choose to hide their income from the IRS.”

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and information presented in court: ROBINSON, a former Divisional Merchandising Manager for Flooring, participated in a conspiracy to defraud Home Depot by taking kickbacks from foreign suppliers seeking to do business with Home Depot. ROBINSON arranged for Home Depot to purchase items for resale on less than the most advantageous terms to the company. Another former Home Depot employee, ANTHONY TESVICH, who pleaded guilty last month to similar offenses for his participation in this scheme to defraud Home Depot, received millions of dollars in bribes from foreign suppliers and passed on to ROBINSON through kickbacks hundreds of thousands of dollars and other items of value, including a luxury SUV. Home Depot fired ROBINSON in July 2007.

ROBINSON also pleaded guilty to evading federal taxes on his corrupt income for tax years 2005 ($133,000 in unreported income); and 2006 ($632,879 in unreported income).

Anyone with information on such corporate kickbacks and fraud is asked to call the FBI at 404-679-9000.

This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Home Depot has cooperated in the federal investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by John R. Fitzpatrick, Trial Attorney for the United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division, Atlanta Field Office, Assistant United States Attorney Russell Phillips, and Assistant United States Attorney Sally Molloy.

Words of Advice from a FBI Expert on Street Gangs

If anyone knows gangs, it’s Linda Schmidt. She has spent the last two decades immersed in gang issues—first, leading a gang prevention program for a non-profit agency for nine years, then spearheading gang awareness initiatives as a community outreach specialist in our Cleveland and Cincinnati offices for the next 11 years. During that time Linda has ridden in patrol cars with police officers through gang-infested neighborhoods; worked with gang members in courts, schools, and prisons; and provided all kinds of training for law enforcement officers, educators, and community groups. Sadly for us a the FBI, Linda is retiring at the end of this month. Before she goes, we asked her to share some of the knowledge she has gained over the years on gangs.

Q: How did you learn so much about gangs?
A: Many ways, but mostly by going into the schools and meeting with the teachers and kids. I listened to what the gang members, teachers, and other young people had to say and then watched closely to determine what was true. I learned how to talk to these kids, to read their graffiti, and to understand their mentality. You really have to make an effort to get inside their world.

Q: What signs can help warn parents that their kids are involved in gangs?
A: Watch for changes in your child’s personality, grades, clothing, and friends. Has your son or daughter been tattooed? Or injured—because boys are often beaten and girls raped as part of their initiation into a gang. You also have the right to go into your child’s room and check for contraband. Discuss this with them. It’s always good to let them know you’re doing your job as a parent. If you suspect that your child has joined or is thinking of joining a gang, talk to them. Stay calm and respond without shock and fear no matter what they say. This will let them know that they can keep talking to you.

Q: Any words of advice on how to steer young people away from gangs?
A: Yes, two things. First, one of the attractions of a gang is its strict discipline. With that discipline comes structure and limits and a sense of security and belonging. That’s what we need to offer to our young people as well—just in a positive way. We can’t be afraid, as parents and teachers, to provide structure and discipline to our children and students. I think the government can help by delivering funded programs that our young people can turn to—especially when there are problems at home—to feel safe and to belong. These programs should be 24/7, just like the gangs are. Second, on a more general level, all of us—parents, educators, community leaders, elected officials, law enforcement—need constant education about gangs and gang trends. Gangs are forever changing—we need to keep up.

Q: Any memorable experiences during your career?
A: There are many, but a recent one stands out. I got a phone call from a former gang member I had met in one of my programs who wanted to let me know how she was doing. Turns out, she became a mom and a paralegal and is going back to school to get her degree in criminal justice. To hear that really makes it all worthwhile.

Firearms Law Study Committee kicks off August 12

State Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) and the members of the Senate Firearms Law Study Committee will hold a meeting in Atlanta at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12, 2008, in Room 450 of the State Capitol. The study panel will meet to take a comprehensive look at Georgia’s complex firearms laws and possible recommendations of new legislation for the 2009 session.

“Ensuring Georgian’s right to protect themselves, as the Constitution provides, is vitally important to the legislature,” said Sen. Seabaugh. “This study committee will help clarify and make positive changes to Georgia’s gun laws, so that citizens can maintain their Constitutional rights and sense of security.”

Created by Senate Resolution 819, the Firearms Law Study Committee will closely examine Georgia’s firearms law and the way these laws are applied in our state. The Committee will be chaired by Sen. Seabaugh, and includes Senators Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), Don Balfour (R-Snellville) and David Adelman (D-Atlanta). The Committee will make a report of its findings, with proposals for any new legislation by January 31, 2009.

Isakson Praises Passage of Terrorist Surveillance Legislation

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today praised the Senate’s passage of legislation to update the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, also known as FISA, so that our nation can take advantage of the latest communication technologies in protecting our country.

“The intelligence gathered through foreign intelligence surveillance saves American lives,” Isakson said. “The absence of any catastrophic attacks in America since September 11, 2001, is the product of hard work by Americans in intelligence, law enforcement and the military.”

The bipartisan legislation makes needed changes to FISA so the government’s counter-terrorism intelligence-gathering can continue. It reiterates that FISA constitutes the exclusive means by which electronic surveillance and surveillance of domestic communications may be conducted.

Additionally, the legislation includes retroactive immunity for private telecommunications carriers who have assisted the United States in conducting intelligence surveillance post-9/11 if there was “substantial evidence” they received written assurances that the program was legal and authorized by the president.

“The assistance of private telecommunications carriers is essential to carrying out the intelligence-gathering contemplated in FISA,” Isakson said. “Those who assist the government in tracking terrorists should not be punished with lawsuits.”

The legislation passed the Senate by a vote of 69 to 28. The bill now goes to President Bush for his signature.

FBI Tips on Avoiding Charity Fraud

In recent months, several natural disasters throughout the world—including floods, earthquakes, severe storms, tornadoes, and wildfires—have devastated lives and property. In the wake of these events, which cause emotional distress and great monetary loss to numerous victims, individuals across the nation often feel a desire to help by offering charitable donations.

Unfortunately, these tragic incidents have also prompted criminals to take advantage of this good will by illegally soliciting contributions while claiming to represent legitimate charitable organizations.

“We have seen this time and time again—these scam artists will do anything and everything to steal your identity and your money as you try and make donations to well-deserving charities. If you want your money to go to a good cause, exercise caution to ensure it gets to those in need,” said Special Agent Richard Kolko from Washington, D.C.

The FBI provides the following tips for consumers wishing to make contributions:

* Do not respond to unsolicited (spam) e-mail.
* Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as officials soliciting via e-mail for donations.
* Do not click on links contained within an unsolicited e-mail.
* Be cautious of e-mail claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
* To ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.
* Validate the legitimacy of the organization by directly accessing the recognized charity or aid organization's website rather than following an alleged link to the sit e.
* Attempt to verify the legitimacy of the non-profit status of the organization by using various Internet-based resources, which also may assist in confirming the actual existence of the organization.
* Do not provide personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions: providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.

To receive the latest information about cyber scams please go to the FBI website and sign up for e-mail alerts by clicking on one of the red envelopes. If you have received a scam e-mail please notify IC3 by filing a complaint at www.ic3.gov. For more information on e-scams, please visit the FBI's New E-scams and warnings webpage.

Scott Arrested in PTC Red Room Murder Case

With the assistance of the Fairburn Police Department, JEREMY SCOTT, age 22, of Elder Street, Fairburn, Ga. was arrested today for FELONY MURDER and AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. He is being held at the Fayette County Jail awaiting a Magistrate Court appearance scheduled for July 9th, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. The Fayette County Magistrate Court is located in the Fayette County Court House, 1 Center Drive, Fayetteville, Ga.

On Saturday, June 28, 2008, at approximately 2:36 a.m., the Peachtree City Police Department responded to a report of a fight in progress call at the Red Room located in the West Park Walk Shopping Center. Officers received a report that two subjects were physically assaulted by an unknown person(s) when they exited the bar. Witnesses at the scene reported that, at the time of the assaults, a crowd had gathered in front of the establishment. One of the injured, Devan Abercrombie (32 years of age) of Hampton, GA, was transported by life flight (helicopter) to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment. On July 5, 2008, the Police Department was notified that at approximately 1:20 p.m., Mr. Abercrombie succumbed to his injuries and died. At the request of the Fayette County Coroner’s Office an autopsy has been ordered by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.

If anyone has information regarding this investigation, they are encouraged to contact the Peachtree City Criminal Investigations Division at 770-631-2510, or the Crime and Narcotics Information Hotline at (770) 487-6010. You may remain anonymous.

Oxendine Revokes Life Company's License, Fines Insurer $214,000

Insurance Commissioner John W. Oxendine announced recently that he has
revoked the certificate of authority of Trans World Assurance to operate in Georgia, and
has fined the company $214,000. In addition, the Commissioner has ordered the
company to refund monies collected from active duty members of the United States
Armed Forces related to products it has sold in Georgia since September 2007.

“Due to multiple violations of the state insurance code, I feel I have no option but
to revoke Trans World’s license to operate in the state,” Oxendine said. “What makes
these violations particularly egregious is that they targeted our men and women in
uniform.”

The Commissioner held a hearing May 5 and 6 of this year to investigate
allegations that the company sold a life insurance policy containing an illegal component
to military personnel between September 2007 and March 2008. The product, called
“Flexible Dollar Builder,” includes a provision known as an accumulation fund.
The Commissioner found that provisions of the accumulation fund violated Georgia’s
Military Sales Practices Regulation and the Unfair Trade Practices Act.

The company further violated regulations by selling life policies to service
members already covered under Service Members Group Life Insurance (SGLI) without
making the required assessment to determine whether the service member needed
additional life insurance.

Although the company may not sell new policies in Georgia, it must continue to
service existing contracts which were sold before September, 2007. The company must
also honor the contracts issued subsequent to September 1, 2007, until it has made the
refunds required by the order.

NTSB to Investigate Incident Involving Midwest Airlines Plane Carrying Senator Obama

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating an incident at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport in which a chartered Midwest Airlines airplane carrying Senator
Barack Obama made an uneventful precautionary landing due to a suspected flight control anomaly.

At about 9:30 a.m. CDT this morning, a McDonnell Douglas MD-81 airplane (N804ME), operated by Midwest Airlines as Flight 8663, diverted to St. Louis, Missouri, during a flight from Chicago, Illinois to Charlotte, North Carolina. There were no injuries to the 48 passengers and crew.

NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker has designated Todd Fox as the Investigator-in-Charge for this incident. Fox is expected to arrive on scene this afternoon.

Post-flight inspection of the airplane revealed an in-flight deployment of the aft emergency exit slide within the tail cone.

Preliminary information indicate that the crew disconnected the autopilot during climbout from Chicago, while being vectored around thunderstorms, when they reportedly felt
elevator control forces that were heavier than normal. They therefore elected to make a precautionary landing at St. Louis. After landing, it was learned that the aft emergency exit slide had deployed within the tail cone. The tail cone did not separate from the airplane.

FBI Seeks Information in Savannah Bank Robbery

William Kirkconnell, Senior Supervisory Resident Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Savannah office requests assistance with identifying the three men responsible for the July 3, 2008 , robbery of Wachovia Bank, located at 3500 Ogeechee Road , Savannah . The bank was robbed at approximately 10:00 a.m.

Witnesses advised that the robbers were three black males, early twenties, ranging in height from approximately 5’06” to 6’00” tall, with slim builds. The robbers were wearing black hooded sweat shirts, black pants/shorts, and one had a red bandanna covering his face. Two employees of the bank were pushed down by the robbers.

Any information which may assist Agents can be furnished to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 912/232-3716 or to Crimestoppers at 912/234-2020. A bank surveillance photograph is shown below.

PTC Police Ask for Public Assistance in Recent Red Room Attack

On Saturday, June 28, 2008, at approximately 2:36 a.m., the Peachtree City Police Department responded to a report of a fight in progress call at the Red Room located in the West Park Walk Shopping Center. Officers received a report that two subjects were physically assaulted by an unknown person(s) when they exited the bar. Witnesses at the scene reported that, at the time of the assaults, a crowd had gathered in front of the establishment. One of the injured, Devan Abercrombie (32 years of age) of Hampton, GA, was transported by life flight (helicopter) to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment. On July 5, 2008, the Police Department was notified that at approximately 1:20 p.m., Mr. Abercrombie succumbed to his injuries and died. At the request of the Fayette County Coroner’s Office an autopsy has been ordered by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. As of Monday, July 7, 2008, Peachtree City Criminal Investigators continue to investigate the case and are developing and following-up on new leads. The Police Department will also meet with Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard today, as multiple charges may be pending in this case.

The police department is still seeking information and witnesses to this incident. Please contact the Peachtree City Criminal Investigations Division at 770-631-2510, or the Crime and Narcotics Information Hotline at (770) 487-6010. You may remain anonymous.


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Brady President Praises Atlanta Airport Officials for Putting Public Safety Ahead of Gun Extremists

PRNewswire- -- Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, issued the following statement:

"I want to praise the sensible managers at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport, for putting public safety first in declaring yesterday that they will strenuously enforce the gun firearms rule in that facility. These public servants are doing their job and should be congratulated for that.

"The Atlanta airport is one of the busiest in the world. Seven years ago, our nation learned what can happen when airport security is breached. None of us will ever forget the consequences.

"The gun lobby leaders in Georgia should be ashamed of themselves for being willing to trade on our nation's safety for the purposes of advancing their extremist agenda."

As the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.

Gwinnett Police Share Information Over Web

Gwinnett County is joining a web-based information sharing system with other government agencies in the metropolitan Atlanta region. The Public Information Emergency Reporting (PIER) system is already being used by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) to coordinate drought responses by various agencies in the state.

In the past, emergency response plans have called for setting up a temporary information center where affected agencies share information and coordinate public information news releases, recommendations and evacuation orders. Now, the PIER system allows information sharing from any computer connected to the Internet.

Maj. Alan Doss, Gwinnett’s Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and Gwinnett Communications Director Joe Sorenson served on a multi-jurisdictional committee to make PIER a regional system for the metro area last year. PIER will now be accessible to public information officers throughout Gwinnett’s various agencies, and it can be used to develop regional messages in times of disaster.

Doss said, “Funding for the program has come from federal grants so far, but Gwinnett commissioners on Tuesday approved a Memorandum of Understanding that details payment plans in case grant funding becomes unavailable.” Each jurisdiction could owe a payment of $4,625 in 2010 based on the current number of users. Those payments would cover web hosting, upgrades and technical support if grants are not extended.

“This system eliminates the time and expense of people having to travel during an emergency in order to coordinate public information,” said Police Chief Charles Walters.

Governor Perdue Announces Judicial Appointment

Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Adel attorney Howard McClaine to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Brooks Blitch of the Superior Court of the Alapaha Judicial Circuit. The Alapaha Circuit includes the counties of Atkinson, Berrien, Clinch, Cook and Lanier.

“The residents of the Alapaha Judicial Circuit have suffered, knowingly and unknowingly, through what appears to have been gross abuses of judicial power. I am troubled by the numerous federal indictments and other allegations coming from the Circuit, and I am further concerned that it took a Judicial Qualification Commission investigation and federal law enforcement efforts to out the alleged wrongdoing,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Judges wield awesome power. Consequently, it is understandable that some may fear reprisal and retaliation for standing up to members of the bench. Times like these, however, highlight the duty of members of the bar and, perhaps more appropriately the judiciary, to demand that their peers on either side of the bench never betray the public’s trust. In choosing Howard McClaine, it was very important to me that he publicly planned to offer himself as a candidate against the incumbent judge in November. I believe this appointment is a step in the right direction for the Circuit; Mr. McClaine has the trust of the community and the integrity to institute the necessary, culture-changing reforms. I am proud to appoint him as Superior Court Judge, and I trust that he will exercise the judicial integrity the community deserves.”

A brief biography is provided below:

Howard E. McClaine, 63, Adel – McClaine serves as the attorney for the Cook County Board of Education, City of Adel and the Cook County Economic Development Commission. McClaine also serves as Municipal Court Judge for the cities of Alapaha, Ray City, Enigma, and Sycamore. He served on the Valdosta Technical College Board of Directors and currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Cook County Educational Foundation. McClaine earned an associate of science degree form Middle Georgia College and a bachelor degree in industrial engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He attended Woodrow Wilson College of Law where he received a juris doctorate. He and his wife Carolyn have three children.

General Manager: Hartsfield-Jackson Airport a Gun-Free Zone

In response to a new state law regarding concealed weapons that takes effect today, Ben DeCosta, general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport held a news conference to make it “crystal clear” to the public that concealed weapons are not allowed at the world’s busiest airport... Click to read: General Manager: Hartsfield-Jackson Airport a Gun-Free Zone