Former Atlanta Police Officer Sentenced to 12 Years for Corruption and Drug Trafficking

LUCIUS T. SOLOMON, III, 32, of Atlanta, formerly an officer with the Atlanta Police Department, was sentenced to prison December 16 by United States District Judge Richard W. Story on corruption and drug charges.

United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, “This police officer took an oath to protect the public from criminals. Instead, he protected the criminals from law enforcement. Now he is headed to federal prison.”

Brian D. Lamkin, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Office, said, “Public corruption investigations are a high priority at the FBI given that the potential for damage and discredit to law enforcement is very high. While these corruption cases are a serious breach of the public trust, it should be noted that the vast majority of those working within law enforcement fully understand their oaths and reflect often on their commitment to public service.”

Atlanta Police Chief George Turner said, “The public simply must have confidence in its police officers. While I believe this incident is not indicative of the vast majority of hardworking, honest and dedicated officers out there on the streets of Atlanta day in and day out, today’s sentence sends a strong message to those who would stray from their mission to uphold and enforce the law.”

SOLOMON was sentenced to 12 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. SOLOMON was also ordered to perform 200 hours of community service. He pled guilty to the charges on September 2, 2010.

According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court: On three occasions in 2009 and 2010, SOLOMON provided protection for what he believed to be multi-kilogram cocaine deals. For each deal, SOLOMON agreed to protect the people he thought were drug dealers in exchange for $2,000. On two of those occasions, SOLOMON was on duty, in uniform, and in his marked police vehicle when he provided the protection. SOLOMON’s participation in each of these three drug transactions forms the basis for both the corruption and the drug charges.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the FBI and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the Atlanta Police Department.

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Former Atlanta Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Public Corruption and Drug Trafficking Charges

LUCIUS T. SOLOMON, III, 31, of Atlanta, formerly an officer with the Atlanta Police Department, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal district court to corruption and drug charges.

United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, “Instead of protecting and serving the people of this community from the scourge of the illegal drug trade, this former police officer took money to protect the very drug dealers he had sworn to pursue and arrest. There is no greater breach of a police officer’s oath than to actively participate in criminal conduct that so powerfully harms the community.”

Brian D. Lamkin, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Office, stated, “Public corruption investigations are a high priority at the FBI given that the potential for damage and discredit to law enforcement is very high. While these corruption cases are a serious breach of the public trust, it should be noted that the vast majority of those working within law enforcement fully understand their oaths and reflect often on their commitment to public service.”

Atlanta Police Chief George Turner added, “The public simply must have confidence in its police officers. While I believe this incident is not indicative of the vast majority of hardworking, honest and dedicated officers out there on the streets of Atlanta day in and day out—it does send a strong message to those who would stray from their mission to uphold and enforce the law.”

According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court: On three occasions in 2009 and 2010, SOLOMON provided protection for what he believed to be multi-kilogram cocaine deals. For each deal, SOLOMON agreed to protect the people he thought were drug dealers in exchange for $2,000. On two of those occasions, SOLOMON was on duty, in uniform, and in his marked police vehicle when he provided the protection. SOLOMON’s participation in each of these three drug transactions forms the basis for both the corruption and the drug charges.

SOLOMON was indicted in March 2010; he pleaded guilty today to corruption and drug offenses and could receive a maximum of 20 years in prison on the corruption charge, and a maximum of life imprisonment on the drug charge. SOLOMON faces fines of up to $4,250,000. In determining the actual sentence, the court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 9, 2010, at 9:30 a.m., before United States District Judge Richard W. Story.

This case is being investigated by special agents of the FBI and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations Division and the Atlanta Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorneys Jeffrey Brown, Elizabeth Hathaway, and Zahra Karinshak are prosecuting the case.

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

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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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Opinion: Keeping America Safe: The View from the FBI

Re “Focus on Immigration Crimes Is Said to Shortchange Other Cases” (front page, Jan. 12): The FBI remains highly committed to the investigation of public corruption and organized crime.

First, uncovering and investigating public corruption by public officials at all levels remains the top criminal priority for the FBI. Today, more FBI agents are assigned to public corruption than ever before, an increase of 38 percent since 2003. Over the past three years, the FBI helped prosecute nearly 2,500 corrupt local, state, and federal officials—a substantial increase over the previous three years and the highest number of prosecutions for such a period ever.

Second, after 9/11, with the FBI’s shift of some resources to fight terrorism, the larger white-collar crime program was restructured. Fewer cases were opened involving “low-hanging fruit” investigations and comparatively small amounts of money. State and local authorities have the jurisdiction to investigate these crimes. FBI resources have targeted corporate and securities fraud, which poses the greatest threat to the nation’s economic security.

Finally, today there are three times as many organized-crime task forces across the country and around the world than at the time of 9/11. Given the counterterrorism and counterintelligence demands, there are fewer FBI agents dedicated to organized crime. But the impact has not diminished: More arrests were made last year than in any year since 2001.

Necessarily, following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the FBI shifted resources to strengthen national security. But there has been no reduction in its commitment to keep America safe—whether from traditional crimes, terrorism, or foreign intelligence collection.

John J. Miller
FBI Assistant Director
for Public Affairs

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Telfair County Sheriff Charged with Corruption

Edmund A. Booth, Jr., United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, announced December 22 the filing of a criminal Information against Jimmie W. Williamson, age 48, the Sheriff of Telfair County, Georgia. The Information charges Williamson with devising a scheme to deprive the citizens of Telfair County of his honest services as their Sheriff and using the United States mails in furtherance of that scheme, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341 and 1346. Booth noted that the criminal Information charges that Williamson engaged in this scheme from approximately 2004 to the present through a variety of corrupt activities in his official capacity as Sheriff.

As specified in the criminal Information, those corrupt activities included:

• the embezzlement of fine and bond money paid by individuals arrested in Telfair County for his own personal use instead of properly sending such money to the Telfair County courts;

• the acceptance of bribes from individuals arrested in Telfair County in exchange for reducing or dismissing the pending charges against them and in exchange for granting those individuals special privileges while housed at the Telfair County Jail; and

• the improper purchase of items for his own personal use with funds belonging to and for the exclusive use of the Sheriff’s Department. Booth stated that if Williams is convicted, he faces a maximum statutory penalty of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and a period of supervised release of three (3) years. An initial appearance and arraignment have not been scheduled at this time.

The investigation was conducted by Special Agent Robert Jones of the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with agents from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The government is being represented by Assistant United States Attorney R. Brian Tanner.

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