Two Pembroke Brothers Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Roles in Two Kidnappings

STATESBORO, GA—Antonio Lamont Murray, 39, and Cecil DeWitt Nelson, 33, two brothers from Pembroke, Georgia, were each sentenced to life in prison today by Senior U.S. District Court Judge B. Avant Edenfield for their roles in two separate kidnappings in the Bryan County area. For additional firearm convictions associated with the kidnappings, Murray was also sentenced to a consecutive 57-year prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver stated, “The kidnappings committed by these defendants and others were violent and shameless. Because of timely action by the FBI and its partners in the law enforcement community, the United States Attorney’s Office was able to prosecute those responsible for these horrendous crimes. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to have as its highest priority the protection of U.S. citizens.”

Murray was convicted of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, two kidnappings, three firearm charges, and obstruction by a federal jury after a three-day trial in August 2012. Nelson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnappings shortly before trial. The evidence presented during Murray’s trial and Nelson’s guilty plea hearing revealed that Murray, Nelson, and others conspired to commit two separate kidnappings in the Bryan County area in late 2011 and early 2012. The first kidnapping occurred on December 1, 2011. During this incident, the victim was abducted at gunpoint and later released only after a ransom was paid. The second kidnapping occurred on January 12, 2012. The second victim was also abducted at gunpoint and released only after a ransom was paid. A co-defendant, Gary Lenion McDonald, 36, from Pembroke, pled guilty to his role in the kidnappings and testified against Murray at trial. McDonald’s sentencing date has yet to be scheduled.

The convictions of Murray, Nelson, and McDonald resulted from a joint investigation by the FBI, the U.S. Marshals, NCIS, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia State Patrol, the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office, the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office, the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, the Richmond Hill Police Department, the Pooler Police Department, the Pembroke Police Department, and the Hinesville Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorneys Brian T. Rafferty and Carlton R. Bourne, Jr. prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.