A former DeKalb County pretrial officer and a former DeKalb state court probation officer were sentenced Monday to more than two years in federal prison for a criminal charge-fixing scheme.
Keith L. Hughes, 39, former coordinator of the DeKalb pretrial services and Natalie Nicole Dunn, 33, were convicted in U.S Disctrict Court on one count each of conspiracy to commit extortion under the color of official right.
According to Acting U.S. attorney Sally Quillian Yates and court records, an individual arrested in 2008 on a drug offense was offered a dismissal of his pending criminal charges in exchange for $25,000 payment to Dunn and Hughes.
The individual informed the FBI, and was used by federal investigators in a sting to capture Hughes and Dunn, authorities said.
The source gave Dunn and Hughes two $5,000 installment payments in Dec. 2008, and was told in a meeting in Hughes' office that Dunn would falsely tell the DeKalb District Attorney that the individual was cooperating in other drug investigations to get his charges dismissed.
Dunn pleaded guilty to extortion in June 2009, and Hughes pleaded guilty to extortion in July 2009, court officials said.
"Using one's position for personal gain negates any sense of fairness and justice," FBI Atlanta special agent in charge Greg Jones said.
Hughes was sentenced to two years and 11 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also fined $2,500 and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.
Dunn was sentenced to two years and two months in federal prison, followed by three years of probation, and a required 250 hours of community service, officials said.
Neither can receive parole in federal prison.
About the Author
The Latest
Featured
