On August 24, 2018, after a jury was selected, Mr. Robert Lee Crawford pled guilty to Aggravated Assault in Putnam County Superior Court. He was sentenced to fifteen (15) years with the first three (3) years to be served in confinement. Mr. Crawford assaulted and beat the victim after the victim had testified against him in a probation revocation hearing. Mr. Wright Barksdale was the lead prosecutor on the case.
On August 23, 2018, a jury in Putnam County convicted Thurston Waller for Sale of Cocaine in Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act. The jury, having considered video evidence of Mr. Waller’s crimes and previous sales of controlled substances, took less than 10 minutes to reach its verdict. The District Attorney’s Office filed a notice of intent to treat Mr. Waller as a recidivist pursuant to Georgia Law and, after having been convicted on at least 6 other occasions of felony crimes, Mr. Waller was sentenced by Judge Terry Massey to a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Mr. Wright Barksdale was the lead prosecutor on the case.
The Hancock County Trial Week began with the trial of Edward Wilson, Jr. of Sparta, charged with Aggravated Assault. During trial, Wilson decided to plead guilty. Judge Alison Burleson sentenced him to a total sentence of Twenty (20) years, with the first seven (7) to be served in confinement. ADA Wright Barksdale stated "we really appreciate the GBI and their assistance in bringing justice to this case."
Former Jasper County Sheriff's Office Investigator and Evidence Custodian, Michael Lee Barrett, entered a guilty plea to 94 total counts of Violation of Oath by Public Officer, Theft by Taking, Possession of Controlled Substances with Intent to Distribute, and Tampering with Evidence. Barrett was sentenced to 50 years with the first 10 years to be served in prison. District Attorney Stephen A. Bradley called the crimes a "profound betrayal of trust" that impacted many cases. Judge Amanda S. Petty sentenced Barrett saying that he had "tarnished the reputation of good men and women who put their lives on the line everyday. ... Lots of people have addiction problems but they don't do this."
Montrell Diego Johnson entered pleas of guilty today in Baldwin County Superior Court for a crime spree that started with a truck theft, a reckless run through traffic where he struck numerous vehicles, a serious injury by vehicle, then he ran into a nearby store where he physically assaulted several employees and sexually assaulted a clerk. Judge Brenda Trammell followed the State's recommendation and sentenced the Defendant to Life Imprisonment. The Victims spoke to the Court describing the feelings of helplessness and aftermath of Johnson's assault. We commend the Milledgeville Police Department for the swift, thorough handling of this difficult case.
