Suspect Arrested for Marietta Crime Spree

Marietta Square

Marietta, Ga. - A man faces a long list of charges after being accused of being responsible for what police are describing as a crime spree.

According to reports, all of the following incidents have happened this year. He has been accused of stealing from a local Walmart off of South Cobb Parkway where he also threatened to kill shoppers and cops. He was then accused of breaking into a residence and stealing the homeowner's handbag. Two weeks after that, he allegedly broke into another home and set a bedsheet on fire. He then stole from another Walmart off of Chastain Meadows Parkway which resulted in the assault of two Walmart loss prevention agents. With each of these incidents, he has attacked officers and resisted arrest.

His charges include: battery in Georgia, terroristic threats in Georgia, theft by taking in Georgia, burglary in Georgia, arson in Georgia, as well as many other charges. He is currently being held in the Cobb County Jail without bond.

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney, I will focus today's post on a crime that the man also faces that is not mentioned very often - criminal interference with government property.

Criminal Interference with Government Property in Georgia

Criminal Interference with Government Property in Georgia is defined by Georgia Law in O.C.G.A. §16-7-24. There are two levels of the law - one is classified as a misdemeanor and the other is classified as a felony. The first part of the law reads:

(a) A person commits the offense of interference with government property when he destroys, damages, or defaces government property.

A conviction under O.C.G.A §16-7-24(a) will carry a punishment of a prison term between one and five years. It will be treated as a felony conviction. 

(b) A person commits the offense of interference with government property when he forcibly interferes with or obstructs the passage into or from government property.

A conviction under O.C.G.A. §16-7-24(b) will be punished as a misdemeanor. Misdemeanors carry fines up to $1,000 or jail time up to one year.

Practice Note

If arrested, contact our offices today to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. We can formulate the best possible defense for your case. Call now.