Former Fulton County Sheriff's Deputy Sentenced to Prison for Corruption and Drug Charges

ANTHONY C. ATWATER, 33, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced today (January 24) by United States District Judge J. Owen Forrester to serve six years in federal prison on corruption and drug charges.

United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, "While dressed in his uniform, this former law enforcement officer sold out his badge to people he knew as drug dealers, and chose to protect them rather than the citizens. Any sworn officer who thinks they can abandon their oath and become a criminal in police clothing should know this: Your betrayal makes you a criminal ready for federal prison."

FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Lamkin said, "Having the public's trust is paramount in order for the criminal justice system to work effectively. It is for this reason that the FBI makes such public corruption matters a priority. While the public can be reassured that the vast majority of law enforcement personnel do uphold their sworn oaths of office with great vigor, those that choose to stray down a similar path as that of Atwater can expect a similar fate."

IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Reginael D. McDaniel said of the case, "Public Safety Officers hold positions of trust in the eyes of the public and violation of this trust can send damaging ripple effects throughout the community. Today's sentencing demonstrates the government s determination to restore and ensure that trust."

ATWATER was sentenced to six years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release, and ordered to perform 80 hours of community service. ATWATER pleaded guilty to the charges on July 21, 2010.

According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court: On two occasions in 2010, ATWATER provided protection for what he believed to be multi-kilogram cocaine deals. For each deal, ATWATER agreed to protect the people he thought were drug dealers in exchange for $2,000. On both of those occasions, ATWATER was on duty, in uniform, and in his marked police vehicle when he provided the protection. ATWATER's participation in each of these two drug transactions forms the basis for both the corruption and the drug charges.

At today's sentencing hearing, prosecutors told the Court that after ATWATER's arrest, Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated a report that ATWATER illegally searched the home of a Fulton County resident while driving a marked Fulton County Sheriff's Department vehicle and wearing a Fulton County Sheriff's Department uniform. ATWATER incorrectly told the resident that he had an arrest warrant for an individual inside of the residence. However, he refused to show the arrest warrant to the resident upon request. ATWATER then proceeded to enter and search the residence and again refused to show or leave a copy of the purported arrest warrant with the resident as he left the residence.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.

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Former Fulton County Deputy Sheriff Pleads Guilty to Corruption and Drug Offenses

ANTHONY C. ATWATER, 33, of Atlanta, Georgia, pleaded guilty July 21 in United States District Court to corruption and drug offenses related to a scheme to provide protection to people identified to him as drug dealers.

United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, “This former deputy took money to protect men he thought were drug dealers at the expense of the public he was sworn to protect. He even wore his sheriff’s uniform and weapon while witnessing and protecting what he believed to be a major cocaine deal. Today he admitted he is guilty of this reprehensible conduct.”

FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Lamkin said, “Maintaining the public trust is paramount for law enforcement and government entities in order to function as needed. As such, the FBI places a high priority on public corruption investigations. Rogue and corrupt conduct such as former Fulton County Deputy Sheriff Atwater’s, if left unchecked, undermines that much valued public trust and make the work of other law enforcement officers much more difficult. The FBI encourages anyone with information regarding public corruption to contact the Atlanta office FBI.”

Fulton County Sheriff Ted Jackson said, “Most law enforcement officers take pride in wearing the badge and have a clear sense of duty and honor. However, when one who has taken the oath to serve and protect violates the law, it tarnishes and damages the reputations of those who are committed to doing the right thing. The Fulton County Sheriff's Office has been aware of this investigation this since January and cooperated fully with the FBI. This collaboration between the Fulton County Sheriff's Office and the FBI will continue. The crimes of this individual should not reflect upon the many men and women who put their lives on the line for public safety on a daily basis.”

According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court: Between January and March 2010, ATWATER, in exchange for $4,000 in cash payoffs, used his position as a sheriff's deputy to provide armed protection for alleged drug dealers. The alleged drug dealers were in fact undercover FBI special agents. ATWATER provided armed protection for alleged shipments of cocaine on January 23, 2010, and March 12, 2010. During the alleged drug deals, ATWATER, while wearing his Fulton County Sheriff's Department uniform, accompanied the alleged “drug dealers” to meetings with alleged drug suppliers and provided armed protection against robbery from outsiders or competing drug dealers. ATWATER also agreed to assist the alleged drug dealers in the event they were stopped by law enforcement officers.

ATWATER was indicted on the charges on April 6, 2010. Today he pleaded guilty to attempting to aid and abet the possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, and accepting corrupt payments. ATWATER could receive a maximum sentence of up to 40 years in prison on the drug count and up to 20 years in prison on the corruption count, and a fine of up to $2,000,000 on the drug count and up to $250,000 on the corruption count. In determining the actual sentence, the court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for many offenders.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 20, 2010 at 10:30 a.m., before United States District Judge Owen B. Forrester.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.com.

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

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Fulton County Deputy Sheriff Indicted on Corruption, Drug, and Firearm Offenses

ANTHONY C. ATWATER, 32, of Atlanta, Georgia, a deputy with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on corruption, drug, and firearm offenses. ATWATER is scheduled to make his initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard at 1:30 p.m. this afternoon.

United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, “In exchange for cash payments, this deputy sheriff allegedly provided protection for drug deals. He chose to protect suspected drug dealers rather than protect the public. This office and our law enforcement partners will continue to investigate and prosecute corrupt public officials at all levels of government who abuse their positions to line their own pockets.”

FBI Atlanta Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Mazanec said, “It is paramount that the public maintain the highest level of trust in the law enforcement officers charged with protecting the citizens of Fulton County. These charges serve as a reminder that nobody is above the law, and that the FBI is committed to work with all parts of the law enforcement community to prevent the erosion of public trust that accompany such incidents.”

Fulton County Sheriff Ted Jackson said, “When an officer who has taken the oath to serve and protect violates the law, it tarnishes and damages the reputations of those who are committed to doing the right thing. The Fulton County Sheriff's Office has been aware of this investigation since January and has cooperated fully with the FBI and will continue to do so. This deputy was arrested by the FBI, during roll call this morning, sending a message that criminal behavior of any type will not be tolerated. This does not reflect on the many men and women who put their lives on the line for public safety on a daily basis.”

According to United States Attorney Yates, the indictment and evidence presented in court: Between January and March 2010, ATWATER, in exchange for $4,000 in cash payoffs, used his position as a sheriff's deputy to provide armed protection for alleged drug dealers. The indictment alleges that on two separate occasions, January 23, 2010, and March 12, 2010, ATWATER attempted to aid and abet drug deals involving cocaine. In each instance, he knowingly possessed a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

This case is being investigated by special agents of the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.

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