MADISON COUNTY, TENNESSEE MAN SENTENCED FOR PLOTTING
WITH SHERIFF’S DEPUTY TO STEAL CASH FROM MOTORIST

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights R. Alexander Acosta and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee Terrell L. Harris today announced the sentencing of a Madison County, Tennessee man in a civil rights case.

Judge James D. Todd of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee sentenced Robert Crisp, Jr. to thirty-two months in prison for conspiring with a former Hardeman County Sheriff’s deputy to steal $35,000 from a motorist driving through the county. Crisp pled guilty in October 2003 to one count of conspiring to commit civil rights violations. He cooperated with the federal prosecution and testified against Hardeman County Sheriff’s Deputy Tracy Jones at trial.

“This prosecution sends a loud and clear message that those who misuse a badge to violate the rights of their fellow citizens will be held accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Acosta. “The Justice Department is committed to vigorously investigating and prosecuting those who commit criminal acts that undermine the integrity of the criminal justice system and tarnish the tireless efforts of the courageous law enforcement officers throughout our nation.”

Crisp informed Jones that an individual would be traveling from Indiana to Memphis carrying large amounts of cash. Together, they concocted a scheme to steal the money by misusing Jones’s official position. Pursuant to the plan, Jones executed a phony traffic stop of the victim’s car, during which he stole $30,000 from the victim’s trunk. Later, Jones and Crisp split the money.

Jones was convicted earlier this month on two counts of civil rights violations for his role in the scheme. His sentencing is scheduled for April 9, 2004. He faces a maximum of ten years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on each count.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office and Bolivar Police Department investigated this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee Jerry Kitchen and Malachi Jones, trial attorney from the Criminal Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, jointly prosecuted this case.

More information about the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division can be found at <http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/crt-home.html>.

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