GUILTY VERDICT FOR MALICIOUS MISCHIEF TO GOVERNMENT PROPERTY

         Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney, for the Middle District of Georgia, announced the guilty verdict for Lance Brown, age 36, at the conclusion of a jury trial, to the One Count Indictment charging Mr. Brown with Malicious Mischief, all in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 1361, before the Honorable Clay D. Land, United States District Judge.

            On July 8, 2011, Lance Brown threw a brick through the front glass doors of the United States Post Office and Federal Court Building located at 120 12th Street, Columbus, Georgia, because he wanted to go back to prison, where he had recently completed a term for bank robbery out of North Carolina.  He claimed that he was homeless and hungry and thought that being taken into federal custody was better than spending another night sleeping outside.

            Sentencing has been set for Mr. Brown for May 1, 2012, where he faces up to ten (10) years imprisonment and a $250,000.00 fine.

            U.S. Attorney Michael Moore said, “The unfortunate circumstances in which Mr. Brown found himself cannot be a justification for destroying property of the United States.  And while I am personally saddened by Mr. Brown’s plight, I regret that he chose to violate the law instead of taking help from those who offered it.”

            The case was investigated by Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melvin E. Hyde, Jr.

            For additional information please contact Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2602.