#Chief U.S. District Court Judge J. Randall Hall

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South Eastern Social Justice Breaking News Bulletin – 12-20-17 – 10:45 a.m. ET

Off to federal prison for a man who has kept Augusta area cops busy for a decade

By Greg Peterson South Eastern Social Justice Breaking News Co-Owner, News Director 906-273-2433

(Augusta, GA) – An Augusta man who has been arrested numerous times on cocaine and gun charges is off to federal prison tonight

35-year-old Michael Lavon Harden of Augusta, GA was sentenced to three years (36 months) in federal prison by Chief U.S. District Court Judge J. Randall Hall on Mon., Dec. 17, 2017.

The maximum sentence he could have received was 10 years in prison. There is no parole in the federal prison system.

Under a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, Harden pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm by a convicted felon involving a Beretta 92F Compact 9 MM pistol during a Dec. 12, 2016 incident in Richmond County

Judge Hall allowed a defense request he serve his time nearby:

In Feb. 2005, Harden, then 25, was sentenced by Richmond County Superior Court Judge William Fleming, Jr. to 10 days in jail, almost one year probation, fined $630 and had to perform 40 hours of community service plus graduate from a risk-reduction program.

In June 2008, Harden was indicted by a Richmond County Grand Jury for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, receiving stolen property, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

In Nov. 2009, Harden , then 30, of 120 East East Hall Street was indicted by a Richmond County Grand on two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime plus terroristic threats and first-degree criminal damage to property.

In June 2010, Harden and two others were arrested by Richmond County vice officers after a late night raid at a residence pm the 100 block of Greene Street during which agents searched the laundry room and seized two baggies of crack cocaine weighing a total 50 grams plus a gun.

In August 2010, Harden was indicted on cocaine trafficking charges by a Richmond County Grand Jury

Listed Addresses: 202 Forsythe St, Augusta, GA 120 E Hall St, Augusta, GA

WRDW TV-12 June 24, 2010 AUGUSTA, GA — Richmond County narcotics officers were busy last night. Multiple arrests ranging from possession of marijuana to trafficking cocaine and possession of MDMA (ecstasy) with intent to distribute. Some were charged with possession of firearms and others with obstruction. http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/97086914.html

Federal judge has enough of Augusta man playing the system with repeated arrests for drugs and guns South Eastern Social Justice Breaking News Bulletin – 12-20-17 – 10:45 a.m. ET Off to federal prison for a man who has kept Augusta area cops busy for a decade…

[augustatoday]

David H. Estes sworn in as U.S. Attorney for Southern Districts

David H. Estes sworn in as U.S. Attorney for Southern Districts

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – David H. Estes is now serving as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia after being appointed by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. U.S. Attorney Estes took the oath of office Friday December 3rd in the Augusta Office of the U.S. Attorney General for the Southern District of Georgia before U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randall Hall. “It is truly an…

[solacekames]

AJC Nov 30th 2017: A federal judge in Augusta has denied Reality Winner’s latest attempt to get out of jail pending her March 19 trial in the National Security Agency leak investigation, saying there are too many risks.

“The court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that defendant is a serious flight risk and no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community (particularly national security) or the appearance of defendant as required,” U.S. Chief District Court Judge J. Randal Hall wrote in his order this week.

Winner, the first accused leaker to be prosecuted by the Trump administration, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of leaking an NSA report about Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election to The Intercept, an online news publication.

If you’d like to donate to her family to support her in jail, please visit https://standwithreality.org/donate/

[benrleeusa]

Reality Winner's agreed-upon (and record-long and below-guideline) 63 month sentence for leaking classified information becomes a reality

In this post a few months ago, I wondered about how Reality Winner, the former Air Force linguist prosecuted for leaking classified information, came to an agreement with federal prosecutors that fixed her federal sentence at 63 months in prison."   This local article, headlined "Reality Winner receives record-setting prison sentence," reports on the sentencing promised in this plea agreement becoming a reality. Here are some details:

Reality Winner on Thursday received a record-setting prison sentence — five years and three months behind bars — for leaking a top-secret government report about Russian meddling in the 2016 election. “I sincerely apologize and take full responsibility for my actions,” the former National Security Agency contractor told Chief U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall in a federal court in Augusta. “In particular, I want to apologize to my family.”

Bobby Christine, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, told reporters after the sentence hearing that the government had determined Winner’s actions “caused exceptionally grave damage to U.S. national security.”

“That harm,” he said, “included but was not limited to impairing the ability of the United States to acquire foreign intelligence information similar to the information disclosed.”

“Make no mistake, this was not a victimless crime,�� he also said. “Winner’s purposeful violation put our nation’s security at risk, not in a speculative way or hypothetical way but in a very real way, a very direct way.”

Like the judge in the case, Christine said Winner’s sentence is meant to serve as a deterrent. “Winner will serve a term of incarceration that will give pause to others who are entrusted with our country’s sensitive national security information and would consider compromising it,” he said. “Anyone else who may think of committing such an egregious and damaging wrong should think both of the prison sentence imposed today and the very real damage done.”

Winner faced up to 10 years in prison for her crime. But her plea deal with prosecutors called for her to serve five years and three months behind bars. That is longer than anyone else has been sentenced for an “unauthorized disclosure to the media,” federal prosecutors said in a court filing this month. Both Winner’s attorneys and the prosecutors urged Hall to agree to the sentence spelled out in her plea deal.

“The government advises the court that despite the agreed-upon sentence being below the applicable guidelines range, it would be the longest sentence served by a federal defendant for an unauthorized disclosure to the media,” the prosecutors said in their court filing.

The prosecutors added avoiding a trial would prevent them from having to reveal sensitive government information in court. “The agreement reflects a fair resolution of the defendant’s criminal culpability, especially when balanced against the further harm to the national security that would likely result from a trial,” the prosecutors said.

The prosecutors also cited several other similar federal cases in which defendants received shorter prison sentences. In 2013, former FBI bomb technician Donald Sachtleben was sentenced to 43 months in prison for leaking classified information to the Associated Press about a foiled bomb plot in Yemen. That same year, former CIA officer John Kiriakou was given a 30-month sentence for revealing to a freelance journalist the identity of an undercover CIA agent. Two years later, former CIA officer Jeffrey Sterling got a 42-month sentence for leaking to The New York Times classified information about a secret operation to disrupt Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

Winner, 26, the prosecutors said, mailed a copy of a NSA document to The Intercept, an online publication. The Intercept published an article based on the report, saying Russian military intelligence sent spear-phishing emails to more than 100 local election officials and launched a cyberattack against a Florida-based voting software supplier that contracts in eight states.

The Press Freedom Defense Fund, which provides legal support to journalists and whistleblowers and is a program of The Intercept’s parent company, called Winner’s sentence “completely unjust.” “Demonstrating her passion for her country, she heroically — at great personal risk — alerted fellow Americans to vital information that Russia had tampered with the 2016 U.S. elections,” said the Press Freedom Defense Fund, which helped with the appeal of whistleblower Chelsea Manning, a former soldier convicted of violating the Espionage Act. “Her selfless act makes her a true patriot, not a criminal.”

Prior related post:

So how was it decided Reality Winner should get 63 months for leaking classified information? Does it seem about right? 

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Exclusive - First arrest as alleged fake Georgia pain clinic busted by feds

Exclusive – First arrest as alleged fake Georgia pain clinic busted by feds

URGENT – Exclusive – South Eastern Social Justice Breaking News Bulletin – 12-23-17 – 5:12 a.m. Exclusive: Arrests begin in DEA raid on a south Georgia pain clinic the feds say was an opioid mill – including co-conspirator at pharmacy DEA Opioid “Conspiracy” Raid: First arrest in alleged Pain Pill Mill:  Fake pain and rehab clinic in Camden County, Georgia allegedly involved in opioid sales …

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Admitted armed career criminal and lifelong coke-dealer really wants to get back out on the streets of Augusta, GA – Chief Federal Judge and Appeals Judges Completely Disagree

Top judges want admitted Augusta career coke dealer with gun to stay in federal prison until 2028   At last this guy was not missed by mugshots.com By Greg Peterson South Eastern Social Justice Breaking News Co-owner, News Director 906-273-2433 **For over a decade, this reporter covered street news in the Augusta, Georgia area – including as WBBQ Car 3 – an it appears crime has increased in the…

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S.E. Social Justice Breaking News – Augusta man shot by cops is off to federal prison – again.

11-17-17 12:45 p.m. ET

Off to a place he left this summer – federal prison

By Greg Peterson S.E. Social Justice Breaking News News Director/Co-owner 1-906-273-2433

(Augusta, GA) – An Augusta man who was shot over seven years ago by a Richmond County Sherrif’s Department Deputy is off to federal prison again for violating terms of supervised federal release in a case that began just over five years ago.

Now 31 years old – Diriuss Antonio Redd – was indicted in Feb. 8, 2012 one one count of felon in possession of a firearm by a federal grand jury sitting in Augusta. He was one of over 100 people busted in the Augusta area on state and federal charges during a seven-month joint undercover operation by the RCSD and other agencies including the feds. “Operation Smoke Screen.”

Scroll down to read a press release from federal prosecutors on that operation.

Redd apparently had just been released from federal prison in July 2017 when he was arrested in Nov. 2017 on a supervised release violation.

The indictment stated on October 25, 2011, in Richmond County Redd did “knowingly” possessed a Norinco, Model SKS, 7.62 x 39 caliber rifle. This after having been convicted on June 11, 2004 of forgery-first degree in Richmond County Superior Court.

He was sentenced to five years in prison in July 2012 after pleading guilty to the firearms charge.

However, on Tues., Nov. 14, 2017 Redd was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison for violating probation on several occasions while on supervised release including failing a drug test and not paying fines.

He was sentenced in 2012 and this week by U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall, chief judge of the South District of Georgia.

  In 2010, Redd made the Augusta area news when he was shot by a cop while trying to take the officer’s gun.

Richmond County Sheriff’s Deputy Jo Martin shot Redd – then 24 years old – in the groin on April 27, 2010 after he struggled with the officer during his arrest at Augusta Estates mobile home park on Milledgeville Road. Deputy Martin was cleared in the shooting as she was attempting to arrest Redd on outstanding warrants including a felony aggravated stalking charge – when a struggled ensued.

Martin attempted the arrest after responding to the mobile home park about a break-in at a woman’s trailer – and that’s when he spotted Redd.

Redd was wanted on the aggravated stalking charge after his children’s grandmother said he tried to break into a car and was in violation of a court order.

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News coverage: http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/Richmond_Countys_Operation_Smoke_Screen_rounds_up_500K_in_expected_stolen_merchandise_suspects_140742813.html

U.S. Justice Dept. Feb. 2012 News Release: 24 Defendants Charged with Gun Offenses After Undercover Investigation

U.S. Department of Justice United States Attorney Southern District of Georgia The United States Department of Justice – Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorneys Office For Immediate Release February 28, 2012 Edward J. Tarver, United States Attorney Contact: James D. Durham (912) 201-2547 james.durham@usdoj.gov

24 Defendants Charged with Gun Offenses After Undercover Investigation

Undercover RCSO officer purchased and seized over 64 firearms during “Operation Smoke Screen”

AUGUSTA, GA – 15 federal indictments, unsealed today in federal court, have charged 24 defendants with federal firearms offenses. An additional 85 defendants were charged by the Augusta Division’s District Attorney’s Office on state burglary, theft, firearm and drug charges. The federal and state indictments follow a 7-month undercover investigation in the Augusta area dubbed “Operation Smoke Screen.”

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) initiated Operation Smoke Screen in August of 2011. As a result of this undercover operation, RCSO seized an estimated $500,000 in property and identified suspects in 104 burglaries, 12 car break-ins and 16 thefts. While guns were not the focus of the investigation, 64 firearms were recovered; many from convicted felons or individuals dealing in firearms without a license. A number of the guns seized during the undercover operation were reported stolen.

United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver stated, “Operation Smoke Screen is a great example of the successes that can be accomplished through the collaborative efforts of federal and local law enforcement agencies working together to protect the public. This operation serves as notice to the criminal element that if you traffic in stolen guns and other stolen items, law enforcement is watching and you will be prosecuted.”

“The right of citizens to feel safe in their homes is a basic freedom that we feel is worth protecting. The suspects that were targeted during this investigation were alleged to be involved in victimizing citizens of this community and putting guns into the hands of the criminal element,” said Special Agent in Charge Scott Sweetow, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Atlanta Field Division. “ATF actively partners with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to stem firearms-related violent crime. We applaud the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office for initiating this multi-faceted investigation aimed at seizing stolen property to include dozens of stolen firearms.”

Following numerous arrests today, initial appearances for several of the federally indicted defendants were held in United States District Court, Augusta, Georgia. The arrests today were undertaken by the RCSO, the United States Marshal Service, the Georgia State Patrol Aviation Division and the ATF RAGE Unit, which consists of members from the ATF, the North Augusta Department of Public Safety, the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office and the Aiken Department of Public Safety. A listing of the 24 defendants recently indicted on federal charges is attached.

Mr. Tarver stressed that an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Assistant United States Attorneys Lamont A. Belk and Nancy C. Greenwood are prosecuting the federal cases for the United States. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.

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Operation Smoke Screen

Federal Defendants Charged

Each of the defendants listed below is from Augusta, Georgia unless otherwise noted:

Dewayne H. Anderson, 45, North Augusta, SC

Charles Maurice Andrews, 19

Derrian R. Brown, 24

Leroy Bunyon, 30

Rodriguez Marquis Bunyon, 32

Twain J. Frails, 22, Hephzibah, GA

Craig Maurice Hambrick, 25

Miguel A. Heredia, 23

Mercedes S. Hyman, 21

Robert L. Johnson, 28, Hephzibah, GA

Jerry Mazone, 31, North Augusta, SC

Curtis A. President, 22

Angelo G. Pringle, 20

Diriuss A. Redd, 26

Danson R. Sheppard, 21

Lemuel Fernandez Smith, 32

Dakabein Ahrand Swint, 20

Amid A. Truitt, 23

Lavinski Vaughn, 24

Grady L. West, 26

Akeem Wiggins, 20

Derrick Demone Williams, 41

Jamal Hakim Wright, 26

Augusta man shot by cops is off to federal prison – again: Originally was one of over 100 Augusta area residents busted in 2012 undercover probe dubbed “Operation Smoke Screen” S.E. Social Justice Breaking News – Augusta man shot by cops is off to federal prison – again.