Sentence, plea entered in federal court on southwest Georgia cases
Robert Parker sentenced for child pornography; Kirkland Coleman Jr. enters counterfeit currency plea
A Columbus resident with a violent criminal history was convicted by a federal jury on charges related to armed methamphetamine trafficking.
File Photo
From Staff Reports
ALBANY — Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced Tuesday that Robert Shawn Parker, 32, of Lenox, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Hugh Lawson in Macon to federal prison for child pornography.
Meanwhile, Peeler announced that Kirkland P. Coleman Jr., 23, of Albany, pleaded guilty to passing counterfeit federal reserve notes before U.S. District Court Judge W. Louis Sands in Albany.
Parker was sentenced to 61 months imprisonment, followed by 25 years of supervised release, for a conviction of possession of child pornography, Peeler’s office said. In his plea agreement, Parker admitted that in May 2015, a law enforcement officer identified an Internet Protocol, or IP, address that was using an online peer-to-peer file-sharing site to make child pornography files available for download.
The officer was able to access and download numerous files containing child pornography that were available from that IP address, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.
The IP address was later linked to Parker’s name and home address. Based on that information, federal agents executed a search warrant at Parker’s residence in Lenox, on July 28, 2015. During the search, agents located a Toshiba laptop computer that Parker admitted he used to search for and download child pornography.
Officials said forensic analysis of the laptop determined that it contained videos and images of child pornography, including prepubescent minors engaged in sexual activity.
“My office will vigorously seek to prosecute those who harm children,” Peeler said. “I commend the FBI for bringing (Parker) to justice.”
Parker’s case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. McCullers is prosecuting the case for the federal government.
Peeler said Coleman’s plea on Tuesday subjects him to a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000 or both. Coleman was in custody at the time of his guilty plea, and he will remain in custody pending his sentencing.
In his plea agreement, officials said, Coleman admitted to buying iPhones on two occasions from Albany residents knowingly using counterfeit currency. Those Albany residents later attempted to use the currency they had obtained from Coleman to purchase items, only to have businesses refuse the money as counterfeit and contact the police.
Coleman is scheduled to be sentenced in Albany on Oct. 25 following a pre-sentence investigation and report. His case was investigated by the Albany Police Department, the Dougherty County Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Crane prosecuted the case for the federal government.
Related Articles
Dawson Council approves $400,000 lifeline in emergency meeting as financial accountability remains elusive
Less than a week after city officials publicly acknowledged the City of Dawson cannot continue operating without additional financing, the Dawson City Council convened a hastily called emergency meeting Tuesday evening and unanimously approved authority to borrow up to $400,000 through a tax anticipation note.
Adult leadership group spreads concept to high school students
“The purpose of Albany Junior Leaders is to pull together leaders from all over the community. We wanted to give these youth the same experience and the same exposure we’re getting in Leadership Albany.”
Albany/Dougherty County among local governments looking at data centers
“Our understanding is that data center developments look like an easy fix for the problems that face rural America, but this is a Faustian deal at best. You can see the effects in communities across the state and country.
