VALDOSTA —
Two Valdosta men and a third Georgia man have pleaded not guilty to federal firearms indictments, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Middle District of Georgia.
Robert Kier Jr., 39, and Cedric Bell, 36, both of Valdosta, and Troy Sirmans, 42, of Wray, each entered a plea of not guilty at arraignment in the United States District Court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Q. Langstaff to a four-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on March 15. Bell and Sirmans were arraigned on March 28, and Kier was arraigned on April 10, according to information released this past weekend. The court has yet to schedule a trial date.
Kier and Bell are charged with one count of possession and sale of stolen firearms under Title 18 United States Code, Sections 922(j) and 924(a)(2), and one count of possession of stolen firearms under the same federal statutes, two counts of possession of stolen goods which were moved interstate and valued at more than $5,000 under Title 18 United States Code, Section 2315, according to the federal indictments. Kier and Bell are each charged in counts one, two, three and four of the indictment, while Sirmans is charged in counts one possession and sale of stolen firearms, three and four for possession of stolen goods, said U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia Michael J. Moore.
Each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
The indictment claims “the three men, aided and abetted by one another, possessed and sold 15 firearms which were stolen in Echols County, Ga., in November 2010.” Two of the men possessed seven handguns stolen in Echols County in October 2010. “All three possessed three Polaris all-terrain vehicles which were stolen in Echols County in November 2010, and transported and recovered in Florida,” according to the indictment. “All three are alleged to have possessed a Shearwater boat and trailer which was stolen in Marion County, Fla., and transported to Georgia in October 2010.”
The U.S. Attorney’s office reminds the public that an indictment is only an accusation. “A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
Kier’s bond was set at $20,000, secured by 10 percent, or $2,000, cash. For both Bell and Sirmans, a $15,000 unsecured bond was set for each.
In addition to federal investigators, this case was investigated by the Echols County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Lowndes County and Coffee County sheriffs’ offices, and other South Georgia and North Florida law-enforcement agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. McCullers is prosecuting this case.
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