Former Fulton deputy sent to prison
A former Fulton County deputy on Monday was sentenced to six years in prison for being caught in an undercover operation, taking money in exchange for protecting people he thought were drug dealers.
Anthony Atwater, 33, had been given $4,000 by undercover FBI special agents posing as dealers early last year to provide "officer courtesy" -- to show his badge to an officer who might happen to pull the car over, according to court records. Since his arrest, Atwater, who used the money to pay bills, cooperated fully with law enforcement and admitted his guilt, his lawyer said in court filings.
About the Author
Bill Rankin has been an AJC reporter for more than 30 years. His father, Jim Rankin, worked as an editor for the newspaper for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Bill has primarily covered the state’s court system, doing all he can do to keep the scales of justice on an even keel. Since 2015, he has been the host of the newspaper’s Breakdown podcast.
