Former Chief Magistrate Bryant Cochran and Angela Garmley. Garmley’s accusations against Cochran initiated a state investigation that led to the judge’s resignation.ROME, Ga. – Federal prosecutors on Friday named Clifford “C.J.” Joyce as the man who planted drugs on a woman’s car at the request of a Murray County judge.
Joyce , 27, admitted in U.S. District Court here he had placed five small packets of methamphetamine on Angela Garmley’s car on Aug. 12. Garmley was the woman who had accused Chief Magistrate Judge Bryant Cochran of making sexual advances in his chambers.
U.S. Assistant Attorney Jeff Davis said Joyce was trying to discredit Garmley and conspired with others to plant the drugs. But Davis wouldn’t name the other conspirators before indictments are issued.
Joyce was the third man to plead guilty in federal court to framing Garmley. Murray County Sheriff’s Capt. Michael Henderson and Deputy Josh Greeson pleaded to felony obstruction charges this year. Each guilty plea has revealed more details of how deep the setup went and how it happened.
In July, Garmley met with Cochran to request warrants for several arrests. She told investigators the judge tried to convince her to have sex with him for a good outcome in her case. She filed a complaint against Cochran, sparking a state ethics investigation.