Thomas indicted by feds in drug, hand grenade probe
Former Jefferson Police Captian Dennis L. Thomas of Jefferson, was indicted by a federal grand jury Friday on charges of possession of a firearm while being a drug user and possession of a hand grenade. Thomas was arraigned Friday before United States Magistrate Judge Susan S. Cole in Gainesville. He remains detained without bond.
"This is a sad case of a former law enforcement officer, who rose to the rank of Captain but is now alleged to be a drug user in possession of a gun,” said United States Attorney David E. Nahmias. “Even worse, this former officer was allegedly found in possession of a hand grenade, a dangerous device that has no legitimate civilian purpose."
According to Nahmias, the indictment and information presented in court: On October 7, Thomas allegedly was an unlawful user of a controlled substance while he possessed a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun. The indictment also charges that on October 8, Thomas possessed a destructive device, namely a grenade, which he had not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
Prior to the federal indictment, Thomas was arrested on related state charges for allegedly violating a protective order by going to his estranged wife’s home in the Jefferson area and demanding that he be allowed to enter. Officers were called to the home and allegedly found Thomas in possession of a Smith &Wesson handgun as well as a crack pipe with cocaine residue on it. Subsequent to his arrest, officers executed search warrants at Thomas’ home and on his personal vehicle. During the search, officers allegedly found additional drugs in his home and found the hand grenade inside of a City of Jefferson police bag located in his personal vehicle.
This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the City of Jefferson Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Gabay-Smith is prosecuting the case.
Thomas has been in the news since 2006 when he was put on administrative leave at the JPD during a state investigation into allegations of corruption at the department. That investigation fizzled and no charges were ever filed.
According to Nahmias, the indictment and information presented in court: On October 7, Thomas allegedly was an unlawful user of a controlled substance while he possessed a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun. The indictment also charges that on October 8, Thomas possessed a destructive device, namely a grenade, which he had not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
Prior to the federal indictment, Thomas was arrested on related state charges for allegedly violating a protective order by going to his estranged wife’s home in the Jefferson area and demanding that he be allowed to enter. Officers were called to the home and allegedly found Thomas in possession of a Smith &Wesson handgun as well as a crack pipe with cocaine residue on it. Subsequent to his arrest, officers executed search warrants at Thomas’ home and on his personal vehicle. During the search, officers allegedly found additional drugs in his home and found the hand grenade inside of a City of Jefferson police bag located in his personal vehicle.
This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the City of Jefferson Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Gabay-Smith is prosecuting the case.
Thomas has been in the news since 2006 when he was put on administrative leave at the JPD during a state investigation into allegations of corruption at the department. That investigation fizzled and no charges were ever filed.
The question that reporters should be asking is "Does the hand grenade have a live detonator and explosive powder in it?" The BATFE is known for killing people over possession of inert hand grenades.An inert hand grenade would normally have a "used" or detonated primer fuse that screws into the top of the grenade.The hand grenade body may have a hole in the bottom which would make it designed as a "practice hand grenade" like is used in training.The primer would explode ,but the body of the hand grenade does not contain any explosive to fragment the body or casing into small metal projectiles which injure or kill people.Even if
the casing is closed on the bottom,the hand grenade would not be dangerous if it does not contain an explosive charge.There needs to be a
detonator and explosive in the hand grenade in order to injure and kill people. Inert grenades
are sold at ARMY NAVY Surplus stores and they are not considered a "destructive device" or illegal.
Was anyone hurt? No? Non-violent crime.
Hand grenade? Common possessions of war veterans. He didn't use the grenade or threaten to use it. Non-violent.
Yes, he has some issues. But should he rot in prison. You say yes. I'm not so sure.
As for crack, I don't smoke but if I did, that would be my business, not yours Nosey Rosey.
I'm glad you had a good laugh at someone elses expense. I'm sure you feel bigger now.
Druggies are non-violent unless proved otherwise.
Why don't women leave these relationships? Most of them take them back after they're arrested. It's insane. You can't save people from themselves.
1ST: Someone said he didnt use it = non violent....if a person is walking down the street with a bomb straped to them (suicide bomber)but has not detonated it yet, is that non violent...if you say no then why does the FBI arrest people who are only planning to shoot the president, or blow up a building?(if you read the article he had the grenade in his personal vehicle)?
2ND: He had a TPO placed on him. Libservative said "Arresting someone in violation of a temporary protective order may save someone but more likely will just put someone in jail that is having difficulty dealing with a relationship" I say he is an adult and as adults we all have decisions to make...he made a decision, and he made it in violation of a judges order. Being a former police captain he knows the results of that action.
3RD: His estranged wife is the clerk of Superior Court..who knows what he may have done next? I for one wouldn't want him to enter the courthouse with the intent of using the hand gun and the hand grenade.(hell I wouldnt want him to use them anywhere).
With all of that said, I hope he gets the help he needs. But he still must be held accountable for his actions.
I firmly believe that to many people have a "we are being to hard on criminals" attitude. I feel that if we were far, far more strict on punishing existing laws people would think twice about breaking them. (IE: kill someone you die, threaten to kill someone = long prision sentence then people will STOP or at least think before they act).
O.K. I'm done ranting and remember these are only MY OPINION.
My questions to you, "Libservative": When was the last time you yourself were on one end of an abusive relationship?
Where you standing with Dennis Thomas when he violated his TPO, do you know what he was saying?
Maybe he did threaten his estranged wife, maybe he didn't...why have a grenade in the first place (and yes, it was live).
Like you said a gunshot is much faster than officers getting to a call, what the hell do you think a grenade is going to do...fly through the air until the cops get to the scene and then diffuse itself?
How many family members have you lost as a result of domestic/drug abuse? I have. I lost a family member that was involved in drugs...her estranged boyfriend too was a "druggie". She left him; he hunted her down and brutally murdered her. How dare you say that "druggies" are non-violent, no one knows what they are capable of once under the influence.
Your opinion is just that, an opinion; however, there are those of us who have personally been affected by drugs and abuse. Maybe "taking him back" is what "saves" some from death.
Have you any idea of the "relationship issues" with his brother? His sister-in-law was a victim of "relationship issues" and is now dead. (I am not saying that the same would have been for Ms. Thomas, but with drugs, firearms, grenades, etc. readily available, the chances were much greater)...The safest place for him to be is behind bars. Hopefully he will figure out the line between right and wrong there, he obviously didn't get it in all his years of freedom.
If the things you say about this gentleman are true he is dangerous. I don't know him. But I do know that many veterans have war relics brought back from war zones. Is it a bad idea? Of course but it alone, does not make someone dangerous and perhaps this should not be a felony as more damage can be caused by an Uzi, legally purchased by any non-felon in the United States.
Our country was formed with the idea that free men (and women) can live together in peace with the right to bear arms. At that time the average citizen had a weapon as powerful as any military. These arms are to protect us from our own government as well as other things. Freedom isn't free and is quite dangerous at times. But freedom is more American than security. It is not the government's responsibilty to babysit us. Take some responsibility for yourself and leave abusive relationships. I can't do it for you but there are organizations that can help you. If one is too stupid to leave a relationship then they deserve what they get. This may sound callous but it is simple common sense that more and more Americans seem to have lost site of.
There was a U.S. Justice department study done during the Clinton administration that revealed that most domestic violence cases are started by women. Are women without responsibility?
As far as drugs are concerned, I recommend staying away from them. But those who do harm while doing drugs should be held accountable for their actions, not the drugs. People hurt people, drugs don't, unless you're stupid enough to abuse them. I don't believe laws legislating stupidity work. They might make someone "feel" better but these laws are more harmful than helpful.
As for the man's brother I can only say that I hope I am never judged on the merits of my family.