By Kristi E. Swartz
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
FULTON, Ga. — A former Fulton County deputy pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to taking money in exchange for protecting people he thought were drug dealers.
Anthony Atwater, 33, is accused of protecting drug dealers two different times as they were trying to distribute at least 500 kilograms of a mixture that contained cocaine, according to his criminal indictment.
The people he was protecting were not drug dealers, court testimony revealed. They were undercover FBI special agents.
Atwater was given $4,000 to protect the supposed dealers during drug transactions made on Jan. 23 and March 12, according to the indictment. He wore his uniform and carried a gun while accompanying the “drug dealers” to meetings with suppliers, according to court testimony.
“This former deputy took money to protect men he thought were drug dealers at the expense of the public he was sworn to protect,” U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said.
Atwater was arrested in April.
Fulton County Sheriff Ted Jackson said his office cooperated with the FBI during the investigation.
“Most law enforcement officers take pride in wearing the badge and have a clear sense of duty and honor. However, when one who has taken the oath to serve and protect violates the law, it tarnishes and damages the reputations of those who are committed to doing the right thing,” Jackson said. “The crimes of this individual should not reflect upon the many men and women who put their lives on the line for public safety on a daily basis.
Atwater is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 20 before U.S. District Judge Owen B. Forrester.
He could be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison on the drug charge and 20 years for the corruption charge. In addition, Atwater faces up to a $2 million fine on the drug charge and up to a $250,000 fine on the corruption charge.
Copyright 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution