Following a string of gun thefts in northwest Georgia, during which approximately 130 guns were stolen from firearms dealers; seven defendants, all from Atlanta, Ga. have been indicted on federal charges.
Between October 2015 and December 2015, seven thefts from firearms dealers occurred and three more were attempted in the region along with other parts of the state and a portion of Alabama, according to a press release from the Department of Justice.
The perpetrators always struck at night and entered the stores by either driving a stolen car through the storefront or using bolt cutters and a window punch to break in, according to the release.
Five defendants, Terry Brown, 26, Jakeisia Miller, 19, Demontra Lucear, 26, Dillon Leborne, 21, and Eric Moore, 22, were arraigned on April 13, 2016 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Walter E. Johnson.
Jacquez Miller, 23, and Jameel Drinkard, will be arraigned on May 3, 2016.
"Thefts from firearms dealers have become a serious issue in our district and elsewhere, and sometimes stolen firearms are used to commit other crimes," said U. S. Attorney John A. Horn about the case. "The arrests and indictment of these seven individuals is a significant step in solving these crimes and helping to prevent the distribution of stolen firearms in our community." The thefts occurred in Tallapoosa, Thomson, Monroe, Warner Robins, Dalton, Macon, LaGrange, and Athens, Ga. as well as Heflin Ala.
"This is another reminder that ATF and our law enforcement partners will remain on the frontlines of preventing violent crime and not allow criminal behavior to threaten the safety of innocent civilians," said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge John Schmidt.
According to the release, ATF agents worked with local law enforcement to connect the thefts and develop information on the conspirators, including the Tallapoosa Police Department, Dalton Police Department, Clayton County Police Department, Bibb County Sheriff's Office, Monroe Police Department, Thomson Police Department, Athens-Clarke County Police Department, Warner Robbins Police Department, LaGrange Police Department, and the Pearl, Mississippi Police Department.
Individuals charged are listed below along with their charges:
· Terry Eugene Brown, 26, of Atlanta, Georgia, has been charged with conspiracy to possess and steal firearms, three counts of theft of firearms from federally licensed dealers, three counts of possession of stolen firearms, and unlawful possession of firearms while pending felony indictment.
· Jakeisia Miller, 19, of Atlanta, Georgia has been charged with conspiracy to possess and steal firearms, three counts of aiding and abetting the theft of firearms from federally licensed dealers, and three counts of aiding and abetting the possession of stolen firearms.
· Demontra Sharod Lucear, 26, of Atlanta, Georgia has been charged with conspiracy to possess and steal firearms.
· Dillon James Leborgne, 21, of Atlanta, Georgia conspiracy to possess and steal firearms, three counts of theft of firearms from federally licensed dealers, and three counts of possession of stolen firearms.
· Eric Jerome Moore, 22, of Atlanta, Georgia, has been charged with conspiracy to possess and steal firearms, one count of theft of firearms from a federally licensed dealer, one count of possession of stolen firearms, and unlawful possession by a convicted felon.
· Jacquez Miller, 23, of Atlanta, Georgia has been charged conspiracy to possess and steal firearms, one count of theft of firearms from a federally licensed dealer, and one count of possession of stolen firearms.
· Jameel Yusef Drinkard, 35, of Atlanta, Georgia, has been charged with conspiracy to possess and steal firearms, one count of theft of firearms from a federally licensed dealer, one count of possession of stolen firearms, and unlawful possession by a convicted felon.