Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Reidsville Man Indicted as Felon in Possession of Firearms
STATESBORO, GA -- Robert Beecher, 60, from Reidsville, Georgia, was indicted in June by a federal grand jury sitting in Savannah for possessing several firearms as a convicted felon. Beecher faces a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison if it is determined that he has three qualifying felony convictions and is classified as an Armed Career Criminal under federal law.
Evidence presented during an earlier detention hearing held at the federal courthouse in Statesboro, Georgia established that Beecher had multiple felony convictions dating back to the 1970s, including convictions for arson, burglary, and aggravated assault. Testimony during the hearing also revealed that Beecher was in possession of multiple firearms at his residence in Reidsville on May 7, 2014, the day of his arrest. Based on the evidence presented during Beecher’s detention hearing, U. S. Magistrate Judge G.R. Smith ordered Beecher detained pending trial.
U. S. Attorney Edward Tarver emphasized that an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the ATF. Assistant United States Attorney Carlton R. Bourne, Jr. is prosecuting 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.
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