Former DeKalb Police Officer Sentenced to Federal Prison
Bristol Helped Conceal a Stolen Vehicle, Used His Police Computer for Criminal Purposes, and Lied to Federal Agents

ATLANTA—DONALD BRISTOL, 41, of Lilburn, Georgia, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Timothy C. Batten, Sr., to serve over a year in prison on charges that, while he was employed as a DeKalb County police officer, he helped others hide a stolen vehicle, unlawfully accessed governmental information, and lied to federal agents.

United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, “The citizens of DeKalb County deserve better than this. During Bristol’s tenure as a police officer, he violated the laws that he had sworn to enforce. This sentence should serve as a stark reminder that no one is above the law.”

Brian D. Lamkin, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, said, “Because of the damage caused by this type of criminal conduct, the FBI places a high priority on such public corruption-based investigations and will continue to work with its various law enforcement partners in ensuring that individuals such as Mr. Bristol are brought to justice.”

John S. Comer, Acting DEA Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division said of the sentencing, “Citizens place their trust and confidence in law enforcement officers to serve and protect them. Mr. Bristol abused such trust. Fortunately, the vast majority of officers protect and serve the public with honor and distinction.”

BRISTOL was sentenced to one year and one day in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a fine of $3,000. BRISTOL pleaded guilty to aiding others to possess and hide a stolen vehicle, to unlawfully accessing governmental information, and to lying to federal agents.

According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges, and other information presented in court: Starting in April 2010, BRISTOL used his position as a DeKalb County Police Officer to help two separately charged defendants hide the fact that the car they were using was stolen. BRISTOL also misused his access to a sensitive law enforcement database to provide others with information. When questioned about his activities, BRISTOL made numerous false statements to federal agents.

This case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the DeKalb County Police Department, and special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey W. Davis prosecuted the case.

For further information, please contact Sally Q. Yates, United States Attorney, or Charysse L. Alexander, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney’s Office, at (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.