On the evening of June 5, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered an address to the nation, telling them that Allied forces had liberated Rome, Italy. Partnered with Great Britain’s Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, Roosevelt had known for more than a year that this liberation of Rome was ONLY the precursor to the Ultimate Battle, all part of what was code named “Operation Overlord”. The date for that day – always known in military strategical planning for all major operations as D-Day, H-Hour, was not finalized until late spring, and was simply identified as being in June, 1944, - the final date being meteorologically dependent.
As Roosevelt gave his Monday evening, June 5, 1944 report of the liberation of Rome, he knew then that while Americans slept that night, dawn on the shores of Normandy, France would witness the largest amphibious assault in mankind’s history. That beach assault, so momentous that just the landing itself had its own operational name, “Operation Neptune”, scheduled for and executed at 6:30am, was preceded at midnight with 24,000 American, British, Canadian and Free French paratroopers dropping in. Then, 40 minutes and 30 minutes prior to the 6:30am amphibious assault, naval bombardment and aerial bombardment, respectively, softened up the targeted beachhead sectors of Normandy, codenamed, from East to West, Sword, Juno and Gold, (British and Canadian Troops), and Omaha and Utah, (American troops).
By the end of the first day, 160,000 pair of allied boots were on the ground, INCLUDING 57,000 American troops, all via beach landings or paratroop jumps.
When American’s awoke on June 6, 1944, word spread of the invasion which had occurred during the night, and that evening, President Roosevelt gave his second address in 24 hours, which consisted primarily of a prayer, penned in his own handwriting, “Let Our Hearts Be Stout”.
My Fellow Americans:
Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our Allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.
And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:
Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.
Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.
They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.
They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest — until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men’s souls will be shaken with the violences of war.
For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.
Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.
And for us at home — fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas, whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them — help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.
Many people have urged that I call the nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.
Give us strength, too — strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces.
And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be.
And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade. Let not the keeness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment — let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.
With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace — a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.
Thy will be done, Almighty God.
Amen.
Franklin D. Roosevelt - June 6, 1944
God bless our men and women in uniform, and those who have come before, having worn the uniform protecting our nation and all free nations of the world. God Bless the United States of America.
Teresa Watson
A HERO’s HERO
May 30, 2010
Two years this past May 23rd, on a Friday evening, my husband and I were returning home from the retirement party of a friend, GBI Special Agent J.W. (J.P.) Foster. As we walked into the house I could hear the end of the prerecorded message of our answering machine conclude, and the next voice I heard was the voice of my stepmother, my father’s wife of over thirty years. I could not make out the words, but I knew that a late phone call from Mae, could only mean one thing, and I rushed up the stairs in grief, snatching up the receiver to learn that my first hero had died.
It was Memorial Day weekend, and less than two weeks before the anniversary of a day, indeed a war, my Daddy would never forget.
As I shared in the tribute I wrote about Daddy that weekend, he was my first hero, he was my best hero, and he embodied everything good about the human condition, and more importantly, what is the BEST of the American spirit.
Daddy, Lieutenant Colonel, (Retired) Joseph Elford Watson, Sr., was an original member of the 82nd Airborne Fighting Red Devils out of Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Daddy jumped on D-Day at Normandy, or, as anyone who has ever seen ‘Saving Private Ryan” knows, as close to the various target as the pilots delivering their cargos of the 82nd AND the 101st, (Ft. Campbell, Kentucky), could get their troops.
Daddy would go on to make a second combat jump in the European Theatre of WWII, and two more combat jumps in the Korean Conflict with the 187th Airborne. It was in that one of those airborne jumps, nearly mortally wounded, he saved man after man, going back into battle to find wounded soldiers, himself having suffered a gun shot to his wrist, which he tied up with a dirty sock.
Dad’s commanding officer had been killed, and this All Army boxer/enlisted man, who had been through court martial and demoted at one time, for decking an officer, now received a Battlefield Commission.
Later, when he finally collapsed at a make shift triage unit, he was dressed properly and given s hot, which is how he learned he was severely allergic to penicillin…he almost died from the shot, not the extreme blood loss.
After returning to the states from Korea, Daddy, who was a gifted sharp shooter, was assigned to the United States Marksmanship Unit at Ft. Dix, New Jersey, and later transferred as an additional unit was started at Ft. Benning, Georgia, where I grew up.
We did not learn until years later, when my siblings and I were all grown with children of our own, (and in my case, grandchildren), that Daddy had actually been with Military Intelligence. What a perfect cover for Dad and his team mates, traveling all over the world to “Pistol” matches and meeting with heads of state to perform sharp shooting skills.
Towards the end of his career, he taught at the Infantry School’s Special Training for army officers from other countries, and lastly he served two back to back tours in Viet Nam, as an Army liaison to the CIA and the South Vietnamese Regular Army, with the Phoenix Operation.
But this amazing man - not just my hero, but hero to many of the men and women who served with him, and to those who called him friend - had heroes of his own. In the last couple of years before he died, when his health was declining, my step mother had forethought enough to begin to slowly turn over things of our father’s to us. Among the medals, and Dress Blues, Carlisle Academy papers and awards, I also got Daddy’s books and papers, documents he had written. These books and writings revealed who my Daddy’s heroes were.
On this Memorial Day Eve, just ONE week until the June 6th D-Day remembrance, I would like to share with you a paper my Daddy wrote at Troy State University, about his D-Day Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Robert M. Mathias, who was wounded by flack as he stood in the doorway about to lead his men of the 2nd Platoon, Company E, 508th Parachute Infantry from Camp Mackall, North Carolina, in their first ever combat jump.
In his own words, now, my father’s remembrance of Lt. Mathias:
AN OUTSTANDING LEADER
By Lt. Col. Ret Joseph E. Watson
It was June 7,1944, the day after our parachute drop into Normandy, when I first learned of Lieutenant Robert M. Mathias’ death. I was stricken with grief and a great sense of personal loss came over me. It had occurred to me that some of my buddies and I might not make it, BUT NOT Lieutenant Mathias. I was not prepared for the loss of one whom we all thought was indestructible. In addition to being my leader, in whom I had complete trust, he was my friend and like an older, wiser brother.
Bob’s reddish blonde hair and freckled face, together with his boyish, rugged good looks, gave the impression that he was younger, perhaps 22 or 23, than his actual age of 27. Bob Mathias, approximately six feet and one inch tall, weighed about 170-175 pounds, had large broad shoulders and was in super physical condition. Bob was not a “Charles Atlas” or a “Flash Gordon” type. His bone and muscle wear all utility rather than show.
Because of his physical powers, many failed to recognize that Bob was highly intelligent. He had mastered every weapon and skill involved in the employment of a rifle company. Additionally, he was knowledgeable of the functions, capabilities and limitation of the supporting arms services. He was a student of the order of the battle of the German Army and of their tactics. He excelled and schooled his platoon well in the intricacies of reconnaissance and combat patrolling.
Bob was dedicated to the task of bringing his platoon to a state of training and physical endurance that would enable us to meet and defeat the best the German Army could send against us. Consequently, life in the 2nd Platoon was not always easy. In training of any type, he always required more of his platoon than was expected of others. He led, cajoled and drove us to meet his standards, but he drove himself more. He made allowances, but never compromised his standards. He seemed deeply hurt on the few occasions the platoon failed him or failed to meet his expectations. I never knew him to lose his temper; I never knew him to utter a profane word.
When a member of his platoon was troubled by a personal problem, he seemed to sense it. He would discreetly offer his counsel, but he never intruded. From time to time, troopers from other platoons sought him out for counsel or advice. I’m sure the chaplains, had they known, would have appreciated his efforts in their stead.
I always believed Bob to be a man of deep religious convictions, although he never tried to alter the religious orientation of his men. I never knew any officer who was more concerned where the physical and emotional well-being and moral values of his men were involved. On the other hand, Lt. Mathias instilled in his men the will to “deal close and destroy the enemy” by any means available. A deep commitment to God and country is required to resolve in one’s self these conflicting philosophies.
My last recollection of Bob was as we shook hands and wished each other a safe flight and parachute drop. As I turned to my assigned aircraft, Bob said to me, “Get one for Mrs. Smith”. (Smith was the surname of my late stepfather).
I never saw Bob again.
One of the men who jumped from Bob’s plane, gave this account:
“Lt. Mathias was wounded while standing in the door awaiting the green light, by a shell that burst outside the aircraft. When the green light came on, Lt. Mathias half turned to face the stick. You could see the blood on his chest. He raised his right arm in a “Follow Me” gesture, and exited the door”.
How prophetic were the words of Colonel Roy E. Lindquist, (Now Major General Retired), when he remarked, “Lt. Mathias will earn the Medal of Honor or become our first killed in action”.
Why not the Medal of Honor?
When Bob was wounded, he had enough strength and presence of mind to remain in the door until the green light came on. Obviously he was not mortally wounded, albeit seriously. If he had remained aboard the aircraft, the Crew Chief could possibly have rendered first-aid and possibly saved his life. On the ground seriously wounded, not much chance for survival existed. The options were Bob’s and he knew the consequences. He chose the one “above and beyond the call of duty”.
He chose to lead his platoon into combat.
Lt. Col. Retired Joseph E. Watson
Happy Memorial Day, and GOD BLESS AMERICA
Teresa Watson
]]>May 30, 2010
Two years this past May 23rd, on a Friday evening, my husband and I were returning home from the retirement party of a friend, GBI Special Agent J.W. (J.P.) Foster. As we walked into the house I could hear the end of the prerecorded message of our answering machine conclude, and the next voice I heard was the voice of my stepmother, my father’s wife of over thirty years. I could not make out the words, but I knew that a late phone call from Mae, could only mean one thing, and I rushed up the stairs in grief, snatching up the receiver to learn that my first hero had died.
It was Memorial Day weekend, and less than two weeks before the anniversary of a day, indeed a war, my Daddy would never forget.
As I shared in the tribute I wrote about Daddy that weekend, he was my first hero, he was my best hero, and he embodied everything good about the human condition, and more importantly, what is the BEST of the American spirit.
Daddy, Lieutenant Colonel, (Retired) Joseph Elford Watson, Sr., was an original member of the 82nd Airborne Fighting Red Devils out of Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Daddy jumped on D-Day at Normandy, or, as anyone who has ever seen ‘Saving Private Ryan” knows, as close to the various target as the pilots delivering their cargos of the 82nd AND the 101st, (Ft. Campbell, Kentucky), could get their troops.
Daddy would go on to make a second combat jump in the European Theatre of WWII, and two more combat jumps in the Korean Conflict with the 187th Airborne. It was in that one of those airborne jumps, nearly mortally wounded, he saved man after man, going back into battle to find wounded soldiers, himself having suffered a gun shot to his wrist, which he tied up with a dirty sock.
Dad’s commanding officer had been killed, and this All Army boxer/enlisted man, who had been through court martial and demoted at one time, for decking an officer, now received a Battlefield Commission.
Later, when he finally collapsed at a make shift triage unit, he was dressed properly and given s hot, which is how he learned he was severely allergic to penicillin…he almost died from the shot, not the extreme blood loss.
After returning to the states from Korea, Daddy, who was a gifted sharp shooter, was assigned to the United States Marksmanship Unit at Ft. Dix, New Jersey, and later transferred as an additional unit was started at Ft. Benning, Georgia, where I grew up.
We did not learn until years later, when my siblings and I were all grown with children of our own, (and in my case, grandchildren), that Daddy had actually been with Military Intelligence. What a perfect cover for Dad and his team mates, traveling all over the world to “Pistol” matches and meeting with heads of state to perform sharp shooting skills.
Towards the end of his career, he taught at the Infantry School’s Special Training for army officers from other countries, and lastly he served two back to back tours in Viet Nam, as an Army liaison to the CIA and the South Vietnamese Regular Army, with the Phoenix Operation.
But this amazing man - not just my hero, but hero to many of the men and women who served with him, and to those who called him friend - had heroes of his own. In the last couple of years before he died, when his health was declining, my step mother had forethought enough to begin to slowly turn over things of our father’s to us. Among the medals, and Dress Blues, Carlisle Academy papers and awards, I also got Daddy’s books and papers, documents he had written. These books and writings revealed who my Daddy’s heroes were.
On this Memorial Day Eve, just ONE week until the June 6th D-Day remembrance, I would like to share with you a paper my Daddy wrote at Troy State University, about his D-Day Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Robert M. Mathias, who was wounded by flack as he stood in the doorway about to lead his men of the 2nd Platoon, Company E, 508th Parachute Infantry from Camp Mackall, North Carolina, in their first ever combat jump.
In his own words, now, my father’s remembrance of Lt. Mathias:
AN OUTSTANDING LEADER
By Lt. Col. Ret Joseph E. Watson
It was June 7,1944, the day after our parachute drop into Normandy, when I first learned of Lieutenant Robert M. Mathias’ death. I was stricken with grief and a great sense of personal loss came over me. It had occurred to me that some of my buddies and I might not make it, BUT NOT Lieutenant Mathias. I was not prepared for the loss of one whom we all thought was indestructible. In addition to being my leader, in whom I had complete trust, he was my friend and like an older, wiser brother.
Bob’s reddish blonde hair and freckled face, together with his boyish, rugged good looks, gave the impression that he was younger, perhaps 22 or 23, than his actual age of 27. Bob Mathias, approximately six feet and one inch tall, weighed about 170-175 pounds, had large broad shoulders and was in super physical condition. Bob was not a “Charles Atlas” or a “Flash Gordon” type. His bone and muscle wear all utility rather than show.
Because of his physical powers, many failed to recognize that Bob was highly intelligent. He had mastered every weapon and skill involved in the employment of a rifle company. Additionally, he was knowledgeable of the functions, capabilities and limitation of the supporting arms services. He was a student of the order of the battle of the German Army and of their tactics. He excelled and schooled his platoon well in the intricacies of reconnaissance and combat patrolling.
Bob was dedicated to the task of bringing his platoon to a state of training and physical endurance that would enable us to meet and defeat the best the German Army could send against us. Consequently, life in the 2nd Platoon was not always easy. In training of any type, he always required more of his platoon than was expected of others. He led, cajoled and drove us to meet his standards, but he drove himself more. He made allowances, but never compromised his standards. He seemed deeply hurt on the few occasions the platoon failed him or failed to meet his expectations. I never knew him to lose his temper; I never knew him to utter a profane word.
When a member of his platoon was troubled by a personal problem, he seemed to sense it. He would discreetly offer his counsel, but he never intruded. From time to time, troopers from other platoons sought him out for counsel or advice. I’m sure the chaplains, had they known, would have appreciated his efforts in their stead.
I always believed Bob to be a man of deep religious convictions, although he never tried to alter the religious orientation of his men. I never knew any officer who was more concerned where the physical and emotional well-being and moral values of his men were involved. On the other hand, Lt. Mathias instilled in his men the will to “deal close and destroy the enemy” by any means available. A deep commitment to God and country is required to resolve in one’s self these conflicting philosophies.
My last recollection of Bob was as we shook hands and wished each other a safe flight and parachute drop. As I turned to my assigned aircraft, Bob said to me, “Get one for Mrs. Smith”. (Smith was the surname of my late stepfather).
I never saw Bob again.
One of the men who jumped from Bob’s plane, gave this account:
“Lt. Mathias was wounded while standing in the door awaiting the green light, by a shell that burst outside the aircraft. When the green light came on, Lt. Mathias half turned to face the stick. You could see the blood on his chest. He raised his right arm in a “Follow Me” gesture, and exited the door”.
How prophetic were the words of Colonel Roy E. Lindquist, (Now Major General Retired), when he remarked, “Lt. Mathias will earn the Medal of Honor or become our first killed in action”.
Why not the Medal of Honor?
When Bob was wounded, he had enough strength and presence of mind to remain in the door until the green light came on. Obviously he was not mortally wounded, albeit seriously. If he had remained aboard the aircraft, the Crew Chief could possibly have rendered first-aid and possibly saved his life. On the ground seriously wounded, not much chance for survival existed. The options were Bob’s and he knew the consequences. He chose the one “above and beyond the call of duty”.
He chose to lead his platoon into combat.
Lt. Col. Retired Joseph E. Watson
]]>
Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, announced today that an Information was filed today charging Mitchell L. Frost, age 22, of Bellevue, Ohio, with one count of causing damage to a protected computer system, and one count of possessing 15 or more unauthorized access devices.
The information charges that between August 2006, and March 2007, while enrolled as an undergraduate student at the University of Akron, Mitchell Frost used the University’s computer network to access IRC channels on the Internet to control other computers and computer networks via computers intentionally infected and taken over, known as “BotNet” zombies, which were located throughout the United States and in other countries.
The information charges that Frost gained access to other computers and computer networks by various means, including scanning the Internet searching for computer networks which were vulnerable to attack or unauthorized intrusion, gaining unauthorized access to and control over such computers, and fraudulently obtaining user names and passwords for users on such systems. Frost then used the compromised computers to spread malicious computer codes, commands and information to even more computers, all for the purpose of harvesting and obtaining information and data from the compromised computer networks, including user names, passwords, credit card numbers, and CVV security codes, and for the purpose of launching Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on computer systems and Internet websites.
The information further charges that between August 2006 and March 2007, Frost initiated DDoS attacks on numerous computers connected to the Internet hosting various websites, including www.joinrudy2008.com, www.billoreilly.com, and www.anncoulter.com, among others, temporarily interrupting operation of the websites, which required the site owners to intervene and repair their computer systems.
The information also charges that Frost initiated denial of service attacks against the University of Akron computer server on or about March 14, 2007, which caused the entire University of Akron computer network to be knocked off-line for approximately 8 hours, preventing all students, faculty and staff members from accessing the network. The information charges that this denial of service attack required the University of Akron to employ diagnostic and remedial measures to restore computer service causing losses in excess of $10,000.
The defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Kern, Cybercrime Coordinator for the Cleveland U.S. Attorney’s Office, following an investigation by the Akron Office of the United States Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the University of Akron Police Department.
Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, announced today Mitchell L. Frost, age 23, of Bellevue, Ohio, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy A. Vecchiarelli and pleaded guilty to a two-count Information filed on May 14, 2010, which charged Frost with causing damage to a protected computer system and possessing
15 or more unauthorized access devices.
According to court documents, Frost admitted that between August 2006, and March 2007, while enrolled as a student at the University of Akron, he used the University’s computer network to access IRC channels on the Internet to control other computers and computer networks via computers intentionally infected and taken over, known as “BotNet” zombies, which were located throughout the United States and in other countries.
Frost also admitted gaining access to other computers and computer networks by various means, including scanning the Internet searching for computer networks which were vulnerable to attack or unauthorized intrusion, gaining unauthorized access to and control over such computers, and fraudulently obtaining user names and passwords for users on such systems.
Frost admitted using the compromised computers to spread malicious computer codes, commands and information to even more computers, all for the purpose of harvesting and obtaining information and data from the compromised computer networks, including user names,
passwords, credit card numbers, and CVV security codes, and for the purpose of launching Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on computer systems and Internet websites.
Frost admitted that between August 2006 and March 2007, Frost initiated DDoS attacks on numerous computers connected to the Internet hosting various websites, including www.joinrudy2008.com, www.billoreilly.com, and www.anncoulter.com, among others,
temporarily interrupting operation of the websites, which required the site owners to intervene and repair their computer systems.
Frost also admitted initiating denial of service attacks against the University of Akron computer server on or about March 14, 2007, which caused the entire University of Akron computer network to be knocked off-line for approximately 8 hours, preventing all students, faculty and staff members from accessing the network. This denial of service attack required the University of Akron to employ diagnostic and remedial measures to restore computer service causing losses in excess of $10,000. Frost will be sentenced on August 5, 2010, by U.S. District Judge Lesley Wells.
His sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including his prior criminal record, if any, his role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert W. Kern, Cybercrime Coordinator for the Cleveland U.S. Attorney’s Office, following an investigation by the Akron Office of the United States Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the University of Akron Police Department.
source: www.cybercrime.gov
]]>
GAINESVILLE, GA - JOE DANIEL TANTURRI, 25, of Cartersville, Georgia; LINDSEY GRAVITT, 22, of Cartersville, Georgia; and LONNY GRAVITT, 42, of Rydal, Georgia, were sentenced today by United States District Judge Richard W. Story on charges related to the theft of 40 firearms stolen from a licensed federal firearms dealer in Jasper, Georgia.
United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said of the case, “This case goes beyond a simple burglary. When 40 stolen firearms hit the streets, they could potentially be used in many more serious crimes, including assault and murder. Guns from Georgia continue to be found at crime scenes all over the country, and 40 fresh guns in the hands of criminals certainly could mean many more crime scenes. Now these defendants are going to federal prison, where there is no parole.”
“Gun thieves play a deadly role in the chain of violence when firearms fall into the wrong hands. ATF places a major emphasis on solving these crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Gregory Gant of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “When these burglaries occur, the public should expect nothing less than an aggressive investigative effort that leads to sending those responsible to prison, and results in the recovery of stolen firearms before they can be criminally misused.”
TANTURRI was sentenced to 11 years, 3 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay over $31,000 in restitution.
LINDSEY GRAVITT was sentenced to 1 year, 8 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay over $31,000 in restitution.
LONNY GRAVITT was sentenced to 3 years probation.
According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court: On November 8, 2008, at approximately 3:34 a.m. a monitored alarm system at the “Bargain Barn,” a federal firearms licensee at 3622 Camp Road, Jasper, Georgia, alerted to a break-in. The surveillance video revealed that TANTURRI, LINDSEY GRAVITT, and an unidentified third individual entered the store wearing masks and immediately rushed to several gun counters, smashed the glass cases and took approximately 40 firearms. The investigation continues into the identity of the third individual involved in the burglary.
LINDSEY GRAVITT and JOE TANTURRI pleaded guilty to the theft of 40 firearms from the Bargain Barn, and the receipt, possession, concealment, storage, and disposal of the stolen firearms. LONNY GRAVITT, LINDSEY GRAVITT’s father, allowed his son to store and hide some of the weapons at LONNY’s home in Rydal, Georgia. As part of the investigation, agents questioned LONNY GRAVITT, who initially said there were no weapons on his property. With the assistance of LINDSEY GRAVITT, agents went back to the father’s property, where LONNY GRAVITT admitted some of the weapons were being hidden.
Fourteen of the stolen weapons have been recovered. In addition, when LONNY GRAVITT’s home was searched, agents found an illegal sawed-off shotgun not stolen during the burglary. LONNY GRAVITT pleaded guilty on February 1, 2010, to possession of that sawed-off shotgun.
ATF continues to seek the public’s assistance in identifying the third accomplice who participated in the burglary and in recovering any of the remaining guns. Anyone with information is encouraged to call ATF’s toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477) and may remain anonymous.
This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Assistant United States Attorney Angela M. Jordan prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact Sally Q. Yates, United States Attorney, or Charysse L. Alexander, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney’s Office, at (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan. (more…)
]]>May 24, 2010
ROME, GA - JOHNNY LEE SUMMERVILLE, 60, and MICHAEL A. HOOPER, 48, both of Cedartown, Georgia were arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge Walter E. Johnson on separate federal indictments. SUMMERVILLE faces federal charges of operating a chop shop, removing and altering vehicle identification numbers on motor vehicles, possessing motor vehicles with altered and removed vehicle identification numbers, possession of a stolen Caterpillar tractor, and possession of hydrocodone with the intent to distribute. HOOPER is charged with committing insurance fraud by falsely reporting to the Polk County Police Department that his rollback wrecker had been stolen, and then filing a fraudulent insurance claim for the theft of the wrecker.
SUMMERVILLE and HOOPER were both indicted by a federal grand jury on May 18, 2010.
United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, “The federal indictments brought against SUMMERVILLE and HOOPER bring to six the number of Polk County residents and former residents who have been charged with federal offenses that were brought to light during an 18-month undercover investigation by federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities. The investigation focused on police corruption, the operation of chop shops in Polk County, motor vehicle thefts, and insurance fraud.”
According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court: Between January 2001 and October 6, 2009, SUMMERVILLE operated a chop shop. SUMMERVILLE removed and/or altered the vehicle identification numbers (VINs) for a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck, a 1991 Chevrolet C/K one ton pick-up truck, and a 1988 Chevrolet S-10 pick-up truck, and then possessed the same vehicles knowing that the VINs had been removed or altered. He also possessed a stolen Caterpillar tractor with knowledge that it was stolen. In addition, on two occasions SUMMERVILLE possessed hydrocodone with the intent to distribute.
If convicted of operating a chop shop, SUMMERVILLE faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. SUMMERVILLE faces 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each charge that he removed or altered a VIN on a motor vehicle, and 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each charge that he knowingly possessed a motor vehicle with an altered or removed VIN and on the charge that he knowingly possessed the stolen Caterpillar tractor. SUMMERVILLE faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $500,000 for each count that charges that he possessed hydrocodone with the intent to distribute.
The indictment brought against HOOPER charges him with three counts of using the mail or interstate wire transmission in furtherance of the insurance fraud scheme. HOOPER faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. In determining the actual sentence for each defendant, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.
In the other cases that have been charged in federal court:
●KENNETH LANE GRAVETT, a former Polk County police officer, pleaded guilty to insurance fraud after he falsely reported that his Harley Davidson motorcycle had been stolen and then tried to collect insurance proceeds on the motorcycle. On January 28, 2010, Gravett was sentenced to serve 10 months in home confinement and five years on federal probation. He was also ordered to pay $12,517.02 in restitution.
●JUSTIN MATTHEW DAWSON, a former City of Acworth police officer, pleaded guilty to lying to FBI agents during the investigation. On May 6, 2010, he was sentenced to one year probation. Because both GRAVETT and DAWSON were convicted of felony offenses, they have lost their certifications with the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council of Georgia, therefore, they can no longer obtain employment as law enforcement officers in this state.
●MICHAEL STEPHEN ROBINSON, a former Polk County Deputy Sheriff, has been indicted on charges that he aided and abetted GRAVETT in committing insurance fraud, that he illegally possessed a rifle with a sawed off barrel, and that he possessed a motor vehicle with an altered VIN. ROBINSON is scheduled for trial on July 17, 2010, before United States District Court Judge Robert L. Vining, Jr.
●MARK ANTHONY SPARKS, a Polk County police officer, is charged with operating a chop shop, possessing motor vehicles with altered and/or removed VINs, and obstructing the joint investigation. SPARKS’ trial date has not yet been set.
This investigation is being conducted by law enforcement officers with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Polk County Police Department, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Bartow County Drug Task Force.
Assistant United States Attorney William L. McKinnon, Jr. is prosecuting the cases.
For further information please contact Sally Q. Yates, United States Attorney, or Charysse L. Alexander, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney’s Office, at (404) 581-6016 (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.
]]>According to the Fulton County Daily Reporter, Chattooga County Superior Court Judge Kristina Cook Connelly Graham, who was Publicly Reprimanded on May 11, 2010 for violating the of the Judicial Canons of Ethics, has hit another snag in her woes as a Bench Warmer.
According to the Fulton Daily Report ( www.dailyreportonline.com) :
“A Superior Court judge publicly reprimanded by the state Judicial Qualifications Commission last week for berating law enforcement agents violated rules of the State Bar of Georgia for five years by maintaining an inactive membership that made her ineligible to practice law, State Bar officials said.”
“From 2005 until Thursday morning, Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Kristina Cook Connelly Graham was an inactive member of the State Bar.”
“Graham’s membership status prompted an executive meeting of bar staff late Wednesday after the judge learned the Daily Report had inquired about it and called the State Bar to try to restore her active membership status retroactively.”
“Cliff Brashier, the bar’s executive director, told the Daily Report that sitting judges in Georgia must maintain active membership. Current annual dues for active membership are $336, while inactive dues are $118.”
“The bar sends annual notices to its members that include a bill for dues and checkboxes that note whether a member is active or inactive.”
“Those who maintain inactive standing are “neither engaged in the practice of law nor holding themselves out as practicing attorneys nor occupying any public or private position in which they may be called upon to give legal advice or counsel or to examine the law or to pass upon the legal effect of any act, document, or law,” according to State Bar Rule 1-202(a)”.
“Active members, according to the rule, “shall be all other lawyers,including judges.”
“Attorneys who are inactive members of the State Bar but practice law are in violation of bar ethics rules banning the unauthorized practice of law,said the State Bar senior assistant general counsel Jonathan Hewett.”
“State Bar rules, Brashier continued, “put in the same category a judge who is interpreting a law and a lawyer who is doing the same thing but representing a client, too. I would guess that if they are in inactive status, they should not practice law.”
“Brashier said that federal judges are exempt from being active members,and judges who are not required by state statute to hold a law degree do not have to be members of the bar.”
Also, according to Fulton Daily Report’s article by R. Robin McDonald;
“Brashier said a state statute makes the unauthorized practice of law a misdemeanor. Under bar ethics rules, the penalty for engaging in the unauthorized practice can be disbarment.”
“But Robert McCormick, deputy general counsel of the State Bar, said, “We do not enforce that. We are not an agency that enforces state laws.” Enforcement, he said, would fall to local solicitors.”
Chattooga County, however, is currently without an official State Court Solicitor, since January 14, 2010, when former State Court Solicitor Tim Perry resigned in order to run for State Court Judge against the Honorable Sam Finster. Governor Sonny Perdue has appointed Summerville attorney Samford (Buddy) Hill to the position of Chattooga County Solicitor, but Mr. Hill will not be sworn in until Thursday 27, 2010.
We have left word with Mr. Hill to contact us, so that we can learn if he intends to pursue criminal misdemeanor charges against Judge Graham.
RomeNewsByWatson has also been in touch with the Georgia Secretary of State’s Inspector General’s Office to learn if there are any implications in this revelation which would constitute nullification of Judge Graham’s election, or if it would constitute fraud on the part of Judge Graham. We have been promised a formal statement as soon as they are able to evaluate the situation.
Those with paid membership can access the full story at www.dailyreportonline.com ”.
Teresa Watson (more…)
]]>May 19, 2010
ATLANTA, GA - DONALD E. FRANK, 46, of Monroe, Georgia, was arraigned late today before United States Magistrate Judge C. Christopher Hagy, and is expected to be released on a $25,000 unsecured bond. FRANK faces federal charges of accepting bribes to influence the performance of his official duties. Co-defendant AMIN BUDHWANI, 46, of Atlanta, Georgia, was previously arraigned for giving bribes to FRANK.
“Law enforcement officers are supposed to enforce the law, not break the law,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. “While the vast majority of officers obey and uphold the law, Deputy Chief Frank is charged with using his badge to line his pockets.”
Brian D. Lamkin, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta, said, “Because of the very nature of the crime, the FBI has made public corruption our top criminal investigative priority, noting that, unlike other crimes, it erodes public confidence and can strike at the very heart of good government. While rooting out corruption is exceptionally difficult, the FBI is well suited for the mission. In addition to the experience of our investigators and the sophisticated techniques at our disposal, many of our public corruption investigations begin with a tip from concerned citizens who encounter the corruption and report it. The FBI is always grateful to those who come forward with information that will help ensure the integrity of government, and its representatives, at all levels.”
According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court: FRANK accepted bribes from BUDHWANI on two separate occasions in October 2008. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $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.
FRANK was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 18, 2010. BUDHWANI was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 24, 2010.
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 the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the DeKalb County Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Susan Coppedge is prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact Sally Q. Yates, United States Attorney, or Charysse L. Alexander, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney’s Office, at (404) 581-6016 (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.
FORMER FULTON COUNTY JAILER SENTENCED FOR EXCESSIVE FORCE AGAINST DETAINEE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
Former County Jailer Goes to Prison
May 17, 2010
ATLANTA, GA - Former Fulton County Sheriff’s Lieutenant ROBERT W. HILL, Jr., 47, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr., to federal prison on charges of violating the civil rights of an inmate by using excessive force, solicitation to commit a crime of violence (excessive force), obstruction of justice, and lying to an FBI agent.
United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said of the verdict, “This Fulton County Jail Watch Commander not only was involved first hand in the beating of an inmate, he used his supervisory power to attempt to pressure others to lie to cover up the incident.
Fortunately, some of those under him told the truth, and the jury returned with a verdict that reflected what really happened. As in other cases we have prosecuted involving the Fulton County Jail, the message is the same: illegal treatment of inmates and lying about it will not be tolerated. Now this former law enforcement officer himself goes to prison.”
Brian D. Lamkin, Special Agent in Charge, Atlanta Division FBI, said, “Today’s sentencing of former Fulton County Sheriff’s Deputy Hill should serve as a reminder to other law enforcement officers of their sworn oaths that they accepted upon entering a career in the criminal justice system. The difficulties of working in a correctional environment are fully appreciated, but the disregard for the basic civil rights of others and the obstruction of the resulting federal investigation will not be condoned.”
Fulton County Sheriff Theodore Jackson said, “The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office continues to cooperate with federal authorities to ensure that the inmates in custody are supervised according to federal statutes. The use of excessive force and cover-ups are not tolerated at the Sheriff’s Office. This case demonstrates that these matters are taken seriously and that when Fulton County Sheriff’s employees fail to respect the civil rights of inmates, they may also face sentencing in federal court. This does not illustrate or characterize the majority of law-abiding employees of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.”
HILL was sentenced to 1 year and 1 day in prison to be followed by 2 years of supervised release. HILL was found guilty of the charges by a federal jury on March 5, 2010 after a four-day trial.
According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented at trial: HILL, a former sheriff’s Lieutenant assigned to the Fulton County Jail, was in charge of the facility as the Watch Commander on August 9, 2008. During a morning roll call, HILL made remarks to his staff that included a directive regarding the use of force against inmates. According to witnesses and HILL’s own recollection of the event, he told his subordinate officers that if an inmate touches an officer, that inmate “should go to Grady” Hospital.
Later that very day, Inmate Christopher Trammell, a pre-trial detainee with mental health issues, was involved in a physical altercation with a number of detention officers including HILL. HILL was injured during the altercation. Eyewitnesses testified and a video surveillance recording showed that after the altercation, HILL picked Trammell up from the floor and escorted him into a nearby nurse’s station, which did not have a window and was not equipped with a surveillance camera. A group of at least eleven detention officers followed HILL and Inmate Trammell into the room.
The video surveillance recording shows that after the group entered the room, the door was closed. Five officers testified that inside the room, HILL assaulted Trammell. Several of the witnesses testified that HILL struck Trammell multiple times about his face and head. Witnesses also said that after the assault, Trammell was bleeding from his face and blood was left on the floor of the nurse station.
Evidence presented at trial also included HILL’s report about the incident, which did not mention any use of force against Trammell inside the nurse’s station. In an interview with an FBI agent during the investigation of the matter, HILL insisted that he “in no way witnessed” Trammell being assaulted in the nurse’s station. HILL did, however, admit to an FBI agent, that he made the statement at roll call about sending inmates to Grady Hospital. According to the FBI agent, HILL quoted himself as saying that “if an inmate puts a hand on staff, then he is going to Grady.” HILL further explained to the agent that this is the custom of the jail – “meaning you will get your *** whooped.”
According to the testimony of three officers who witnessed the assault, HILL met with them numerous times following his interview with the FBI. These witnesses testified that HILL repeatedly told them that nothing illegal happened in the nurse’s station and that they should “stick to the story” if they were questioned about the incident by federal authorities.
This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorneys Brent Alan Gray and Angela M. Jordan prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact Sally Q. Yates, United States Attorney, or Charysse L. Alexander, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney’s Office, at (404) 581-6016 (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.
]]>You all remember playing “Let’s pretend” when we were little. In our fanciful make believe worlds, ANYTHING was possible, and we could be super heroes or mommies, cowboys or cops and robbers and fairy princesses.
Reality was whatever we spoke out loud, like “Let’s pretend all of us girls are fairy princess and the boys over all ogres, and we’re gonna sprinkle magic fairy dust on them and turn them into princes”.
Anything we spoke out loud became so…it became reality. Even when bad things happened, or our feelings got hurt and we skinned our knees, we could twist the reality with “Let’s pretend” and alter reality in our make believe world. A skinned knee from being knocked down by a bully could be an “almost” mortal wound sustained while fighting a dragon. When we threw tantrums in front to our friends, acted selfishly or said mean things, we could change the reality of our action, at least in “Let’s Pretend-ville”, and rationalize to ourselves and our friends that we had been under a spell by a powerful sorcerer or witch.
Just speaking it out loud made it so.
It appears there are some adults, (I use that term loosely), who are frantically trying to play “Let’s pretend” since last Thursday and Friday when I posted my two stories about my website being hacked, and the old RomeNewsWire website being used unwittingly as the original conduit for the hacking. Since posting those articles, a couple of former RNW folks have been very busy screaming loudly and screaming often about how innocent they are.But while they have been screaming, witnesses to hacking crimes and statements made about hacking crimes, have been coming forward, contacting the FBI and traveling to be interviewed.
So, I thought I would join the playground with these two, and play “Let’s pretend” for awhile with them and their little friends. Because, apparently “saying so” on other websites makes them feel better, and we certainly want them to feel better, so they leave their guard down awhile longer, until all the t’s are crossed and all the i’s dotted.
Let’s wave our magic Let’s Pretend Wand, and 1-2-3:
1.Let’s pretend that when I called the emergency number for the FBI last Thursday evening, after discovering that the backdoor to my functioning and current website admin page, e-mail account and other personal web pages with personal information were out on the internet, that nobody cared, even when I mentioned I suspected Seer Sucker Bobby was behind it.
2. Let’s pretend that when I filed my second IC3 report in the last 15 months, that no one in the FBI knew anything about what was going on, and that they knew nothing about Seer Sucker Bobby and his posse’s Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE), nor anything about their multiple RICO (Racketeering Influence Corrupt Organizations ) conspiracies against myself and countless other victims across many states.
3. Let’s pretend that when I talked to Dawn Treglown during the middle of the night, she never mentioned the name of David Hall to me, and the fact that he had been Jerry Duke’s IT person when Jerry Duke owned RomeNewsWire, and the fact that he was from Summerville. (It’s Cloudland, actually).
4. Let’s pretend that when federal agents called me on Friday morning that no one was already familiar with Cloudland’s Billy Goat Trail hacker. (BTW – who was the Sex Offender living at that address for awhile?).
5. Let’s pretend that no one was aware of certain government and quasi government sites being hacked, long ago, and let’s pretend the FBI and other entities have NOT been watching.
6. Let’s pretend that after Seer Sucker Bobby convinced TenPearls.com and 1and1.com to take me down, and I filed my first IC3 FBI report in March of 2008, that TenPearls.com and 1and1.comDIDN’T start cooperating with several federal entities.
7. Let’s pretend that when Seer Sucker Bobby sent emissaries to bribe my webhost in Panama to take me down, that not only did the Americans there NOT blow Seer Sucker Bobby off, that they didNOT contact the USDOJ.
8. Let’s pretend that the FBI and CIA DID NOT make a connection between the web posters to my website, especially one calling himself ‘the Shadow” to a hacker who was a “Shadow Crew” wanna be. (Shadow Crew is a group of loosely confederated hackers who have infiltrated corporations and government websites, many of whom have been identified and brought to justice by the FBI Cybercrime Unit and the Secret Service, with other federal entities assisting).
9. Let’s pretend that the FBI did NOT already know I was being hacked, and had been watching for over a year - every time, every single time, my space was intruded upon.
10. Let’s pretend that Title 18, Chapter 119 of the Federal Criminal Code, does NOT make any and every intrusion into a private computer or website or a corporate computer or website a FEDERAL CRIME under any and all circumstances, except when allowed to do so through warrant in criminal and national security investigations. (Exceptions are public computers such as are found at internet cafes and libraries and such, where the expectation of privacy is not reasonable).
11. Let’s pretend that ANY and ALL losses of revenue, actual or anticipated, to a corporation or individual as the result of “cyber intrusion” is NOT a federal crime. Let’s further pretend that any and all EXPENSES used to correct and rebuild after cyber intrusion areNOT included in the consideration at sentencing of the intruder.
12. Let’s pretend that I was NOT selling copies of my on-line book every month, long after my advertisers were all scared away, until my website was hacked into, taken down and the secure website link lost. So, let’s also pretend thatNO book sales revenues were interrupted because of all this hacking.
13. Let’s pretend that disrupting potential and anticipated revenues through cyber intrusion is NOT a federal crime, and that Seer Sucker Bobby’s conspiracy to have me removed from the world wide web, and his related threats to/intimidation of - my current (at the time), and anticipated advertisers and webhosts, was NOT a crime and had no impact on future and anticipated revenues.
14. Let’s pretend the intellectual property rights in the form of the content of my online books were NOT totally wiped out, constituting THEFT of intellectual property, through cyber-intrusion. AND, let’s pretend that NO ONE who purchased those on line books with their Mastercards, Visa and AmEX cards had any of their private information peeked at. Let’s pretend that None of this hacking Private Credit Card info is a cybercrime.
15. Let’s pretend that there is NOT added weight to sentencing for criminal cyber intrusion in federal cases, when communications between members of law enforcement and anyone else, from the protected USDOJ, .gov e-mails are peeked at and intruded upon. While we are at it, Let’s pretend No one from any federal law enforcement entity or state law enforcement entity has ever communicated with me through their .gov e-mails, nor I to them.
16.Let’s pretend that using a computer to commit cyber intrusion to violate the First Amendment Civil Right to Free Speech and Freedom of the Press IS NOT A CRIME.
17. Let’s pretend that cyber intrusion, intruding, (hacking) into a corporate website and seeing poster’s identities, and e-mail addresses and I.P. addresses IS NOT defined by Title 18, Chapter 119 as internet theft of TRADE SECRETS. (FYI - That same title allows me to reveal those names, e-mail addresses and I.P. addresses, but we are pretending so that is not really relative).
Boy of boy, Let’s just pretend NONE of Title 18, Chapter 119 exists. And while we are at it, let’s play make believe a little while longer.
18. Let’s pretend that civil rights violations are not important to the FBI, and let’s pretend that the FBI NEVER goes after law enforcement officials who violate someone’s civil rights. Let’s expand that and pretend that none of the countless Federal Prosecutions and convictions in the Northern District of Georgia, including the current Breaking News Story from May 17, 2010, have never really happened.
19. Let’s pretend that Seer Sucker Bobby’s daughter was not publicly reprimanded for violating her oath of office as a judge, and that there are not serious criminal consequences yet to come.
20. Let’s pretend that Carlton Vines and Albert Palmour NEVER committed election fraud.
21. Let’s pretend Seer Sucker Bobby and Sexy Rexy have not approached MULTIPLE hackers through the last decade, to hire them to hack into whoever’s website they needed information from, for use in pending litigation or for blackmail/extortion/influence purposes.
23. Let’s pretend NONE of the witnesses to these crimes, including former hackers, have come forward to work deals for themselves about what has been going on for years.
I think Make Believe has been going on long enough in this article. As an adult, I can only play make believe for so long, without getting bored.
I hope Billy Goat Trail Boy decides to grow up and stop playing “Make Believe” and “Let’s Pretend”, too. I hope Paint Boy high tails it to Dalton to spill his guts about anything he might know, and to make a deal, IF that is necessary, while he still can.
Because Lucy got some ‘splianing to do, and Billy Goat Trail boy is in a whole heap of trouble, regardless of what Seer Sucker Bobby and Sexy Rexy have promised or tried to convince him is justified…and regardless of how many times he tries to insist,on other websites, that he has not EVER hacked, and regardless of how many times he diminishes and pooh-poohs the reality of the long term, several years in the process now, RICO investigation.
Teresa Watson
]]>May 17, 2010
ATLANTA, GA - Former Fulton County Sheriff’s Lieutenant ROBERT W. HILL, Jr., 47, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr., to federal prison on charges of violating the civil rights of an inmate by using excessive force, solicitation to commit a crime of violence (excessive force), obstruction of justice, and lying to an FBI agent.
United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said of the verdict, “This Fulton County Jail Watch Commander not only was involved first hand in the beating of an inmate, he used his supervisory power to attempt to pressure others to lie to cover up the incident.
Fortunately, some of those under him told the truth, and the jury returned with a verdict that reflected what really happened. As in other cases we have prosecuted involving the Fulton County Jail, the message is the same: illegal treatment of inmates and lying about it will not be tolerated. Now this former law enforcement officer himself goes to prison.”
Brian D. Lamkin, Special Agent in Charge, Atlanta Division FBI, said, “Today’s sentencing of former Fulton County Sheriff’s Deputy Hill should serve as a reminder to other law enforcement officers of their sworn oaths that they accepted upon entering a career in the criminal justice system. The difficulties of working in a correctional environment are fully appreciated, but the disregard for the basic civil rights of others and the obstruction of the resulting federal investigation will not be condoned.”
Fulton County Sheriff Theodore Jackson said, “The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office continues to cooperate with federal authorities to ensure that the inmates in custody are supervised according to federal statutes. The use of excessive force and cover-ups are not tolerated at the Sheriff’s Office. This case demonstrates that these matters are taken seriously and that when Fulton County Sheriff’s employees fail to respect the civil rights of inmates, they may also face sentencing in federal court. This does not illustrate or characterize the majority of law-abiding employees of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.”
HILL was sentenced to 1 year and 1 day in prison to be followed by 2 years of supervised release. HILL was found guilty of the charges by a federal jury on March 5, 2010 after a four-day trial.
According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented at trial: HILL, a former sheriff’s Lieutenant assigned to the Fulton County Jail, was in charge of the facility as the Watch Commander on August 9, 2008. During a morning roll call, HILL made remarks to his staff that included a directive regarding the use of force against inmates. According to witnesses and HILL’s own recollection of the event, he told his subordinate officers that if an inmate touches an officer, that inmate “should go to Grady” Hospital.
Later that very day, Inmate Christopher Trammell, a pre-trial detainee with mental health issues, was involved in a physical altercation with a number of detention officers including HILL. HILL was injured during the altercation. Eyewitnesses testified and a video surveillance recording showed that after the altercation, HILL picked Trammell up from the floor and escorted him into a nearby nurse’s station, which did not have a window and was not equipped with a surveillance camera. A group of at least eleven detention officers followed HILL and Inmate Trammell into the room.
The video surveillance recording shows that after the group entered the room, the door was closed. Five officers testified that inside the room, HILL assaulted Trammell. Several of the witnesses testified that HILL struck Trammell multiple times about his face and head. Witnesses also said that after the assault, Trammell was bleeding from his face and blood was left on the floor of the nurse station.
Evidence presented at trial also included HILL’s report about the incident, which did not mention any use of force against Trammell inside the nurse’s station. In an interview with an FBI agent during the investigation of the matter, HILL insisted that he “in no way witnessed” Trammell being assaulted in the nurse’s station. HILL did, however, admit to an FBI agent, that he made the statement at roll call about sending inmates to Grady Hospital. According to the FBI agent, HILL quoted himself as saying that “if an inmate puts a hand on staff, then he is going to Grady.” HILL further explained to the agent that this is the custom of the jail – “meaning you will get your *** whooped.”
According to the testimony of three officers who witnessed the assault, HILL met with them numerous times following his interview with the FBI. These witnesses testified that HILL repeatedly told them that nothing illegal happened in the nurse’s station and that they should “stick to the story” if they were questioned about the incident by federal authorities.
This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorneys Brent Alan Gray and Angela M. Jordan prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact Sally Q. Yates, United States Attorney, or Charysse L. Alexander, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney’s Office, at (404) 581-6016 (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.
CANADIAN NATIONAL ARRESTED WITH SUITCASE FULL OF COCAINE-SOAKED CLOTHES SENTENCED TO OVER 3 YEARS IN PRISON
May 17, 2010
ATLANTA, GA - ELIZABETH LOUISE WYONCH, 59, of Montreal, Canada, was sentenced to federal prison today by United States District Judge Orinda D. Evans on four counts of drug trafficking, including the intentional importation of cocaine into the United States, and possession of at least 500 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute.
United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said of the case, “Trying to smuggle cocaine or any other dangerous drug is more than a risky proposition. Customs and Border Patrol officers at our airports are waiting for you. And when you are caught, you will go into a federal prison cell.”
WYONCH was sentenced to 3 years, 1 month in prison, to be followed by 4 years of supervised release. On December 31, 2009, she pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States from outside the country, importing cocaine into the United States, conspiracy to possess at least 500 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute and possession of at least 500 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute.
According to United States Attorney Yates, the following charges and other information presented in court: On July 27, 2009, the Border Intelligence Office in Buffalo, New York, received an anonymous tip that an woman named ELIZABETH WYONCH would be traveling into the United States with an unknown amount of cocaine concealed in a suitcase. Investigators subsequently learned that on July 29, 2009, WYONCH was scheduled to fly into Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport from Lima, Peru, with a final destination of Montreal, Canada. Customs and Border Patrol officers stopped WYONCH going through customs and inspected her luggage. During the secondary inspection, Customs officers noticed that the clothing inside one of the suitcases was unusually stiff to the touch.
A field drug test conducted on a section of the clothing gave a positive reading for the presence of cocaine. It was later determined that over three kilograms of cocaine had been soaked into various items of clothing contained in her luggage. She was immediately arrested.
The case was investigated by U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Assistant United States Attorney Rodney Bullard prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact Sally Q. Yates, United States Attorney, or Charysse L. Alexander, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney’s Office, at (404) 581-6016, (404) 581-6016.The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.usdoj.gov/usao/gan. (more…)
]]>May 17, 2010
ATLANTA, GA - ELIZABETH LOUISE WYONCH, 59, of Montreal, Canada, was sentenced to federal prison today by United States District Judge Orinda D. Evans on four counts of drug trafficking, including the intentional importation of cocaine into the United States, and possession of at least 500 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute.
United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said of the case, “Trying to smuggle cocaine or any other dangerous drug is more than a risky proposition. Customs and Border Patrol officers at our airports are waiting for you. And when you are caught, you will go into a federal prison cell.”
WYONCH was sentenced to 3 years, 1 month in prison, to be followed by 4 years of supervised release. On December 31, 2009, she pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States from outside the country, importing cocaine into the United States, conspiracy to possess at least 500 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute and possession of at least 500 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute.
According to United States Attorney Yates, the following charges and other information presented in court: On July 27, 2009, the Border Intelligence Office in Buffalo, New York, received an anonymous tip that an woman named ELIZABETH WYONCH would be traveling into the United States with an unknown amount of cocaine concealed in a suitcase. Investigators subsequently learned that on July 29, 2009, WYONCH was scheduled to fly into Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport from Lima, Peru, with a final destination of Montreal, Canada. Customs and Border Patrol officers stopped WYONCH going through customs and inspected her luggage.
During the secondary inspection, Customs officers noticed that the clothing inside one of the suitcases was unusually stiff to the touch. A field drug test conducted on a section of the clothing gave a positive reading for the presence of cocaine. It was later determined that over three kilograms of cocaine had been soaked into various items of clothing contained in her luggage. She was immediately arrested.
The case was investigated by U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Assistant United States Attorney Rodney Bullard prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact Sally Q. Yates, United States Attorney, or Charysse L. Alexander, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney’s Office, at (404) 581-6016, (404) 581-6016.The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.usdoj.gov/usao/gan.
]]>