I printed and framed that passage. It remains in my chambers.
The grand jury in Macon returned the indictment eleven months later.
It was sixty-three pages long. Dalton Voss was charged with nine counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, the federal civil rights statute that makes it a crime for anyone with a badge to violate a person’s constitutional rights. The counts included my arrest, the arrests of Deacon Earl Simmons and Rufus Tate, and the death of Hattie Greene.
He was also charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud, for using his office to steer land into Pinecrest Holdings in exchange for kickbacks. There was a count of theft of government property for the cash missing from the evidence room, and two counts of obstruction of justice for ordering deputies to falsify reports.
Voss’s brother-in-law Wade Purcell faced conspiracy and fraud charges, as did tax commissioner’s clerk Darla Fenwick. Investigators found she warned Purcell of upcoming tax sales and directed notices to incorrect addresses.
