by Jo | December 5th, 2007
From the local news desks …
It took a Russell County jury just 15 minutes to convict Robert Justus of the first-degree rape, sodomy and sexual abuse of a 9-year-old girl.Justus, 37, formerly of 44 All American Drive, faces life in prison or life in prison without the chance of parole for the acts he committed against the girl he and his estranged wife used to baby-sit, District Attorney Kenneth Davis said.
The range of sentencing, expected in January, is because of prior felony convictions.”He has been previously convicted of the sexual abuse of an 8-year-old child,” Davis said. “He’s also been convicted of failure to register as a sex offender.”
Ledger-Enquirer, “Jury convicts man of raping girl, 9”
Why do sex-offenders get three strikes? This piece of garbage should have been sentenced under the jail the first time! How many victims do you have to have before the offender is removed from the planet?
… and …
Calvin Anderson, the Box Springs, Ga., man who broke into the home of a married couple in their 90s and severely beat both of them, will spend the next 20 years in prison.
Anderson, 22, pleaded guilty Monday to the June 23 beating and robbery of Roy and Reva Brooks at their South Columbus home. Muscogee County Judge Doug Pullen sentenced him to 20 years to serve in prison on two counts of armed robbery, two counts of burglary and one count each of the following: hijacking a motor vehicle and armed robbery.
One of the burglary counts was for an unrelated incident about a week before the assault on the Brooks.
“He said that he was not on drugs,” said Assistant District Attorney Don Kelly. “He said he could not explain why he did this.”
Ledger-Enquirer, “Home invader sentenced to 20 years”
Couldn’t explain why? Because pure evil doesn’t need an excuse to do what they do to the elderly or the young. Another one that should just be taken out and shot.
… and …
Muscogee County’s sheriff is using TV ads to catch wanted sex offenders, and the move seems to be working.
The public service commercial starts off with Sheriff Ralph Johnson, as he shows the nine wanted sex offenders who have not registered where they live.
The idea, which is also being used in Florida, came from a Georgia Sheriff’s conference which Sheriff Johnson attended.
“It’s a PSA saying know your neighbor, showing the pics of individuals and telling them to contact the sheriff’s office,” said Major Joe McCrea, from the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office.
The ad apparently caught several people’s attentions. Major McCrea says they’ve captured three men so far solely on tips…
WTVM, “Muscogee Sheriff’s Ad Helps Catch Suspects”
I haven’t seen any of the ads myself, but then if they are running on the local ad channel, I don’t watch that. But evidently someone does. Maybe we should have a website Sheriff.
… and …
A request for legislation impacting parking fees is among 15 items on Columbus’ proposed 2008 Legislative Agenda.
Parking fees are a hot topic.
The city is asking for a law that would prevent any type of vehicle registration or transfer –and– license renewals or reinstatement if a person has outstanding parking tickets.
City manager Isaiah Hugley says the law would be just another tool to get people to pay their parking tickets.
WRBL, “Columbus Leaders to Request Parking Fee Law”
I think this is a good idea myself. Have a great day!
December 5th, 2007 at 8:48 am
In Re to that first story…
Years ago, there was a big sign perched right there on All American Drive that clearly stated that there was a convicted sex offender living at a certain address. The sign itself was, if memory serves, the size of a full sheet of plywood (4×8)! It even listed the actual address!
December 5th, 2007 at 9:35 am
When I lived in Bell County Texas, the judges there ordered sex offenders on probation to have those type signs in their front yard, and a smaller version on each entrance to the home. As far as I know, they are still doing it.