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http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.c ... imeout=100Former cops plead not guilty to gun, false statement charges
01/25/07
Mike Gellatly
Two former Rockmart police officers have been indicted on charges that they lied to the FBI and falsified documents so that one of them, a felon, could re-enter law enforcement.
Jedson Leist, 36, of Acworth and Carey Higgins, 29, of Cartersville made their first appearance in federal court in Rome today, pleading not guilty to six firearms and false statements charges related to Leist’s application to become a police officer after he had become a felon.
The individual charges carry with them a possible sentence of up to 75 years in jail.
“This case involves two persons with law enforcement experience who allegedly joined together to lie to the Rockmart Police Department and the FBI so that one of them, Leist, could again become a police officer and carry a weapon despite his criminal history,†said David E. Nahmias, U.S. Attorney. “Dishonesty like this undermines the foundation of good law enforcement and exposed the Rockmart community to unnecessary risk by placing firearms â€" and a badge â€" in the hands of a convicted felon.â€