Topline: A new round of federal grand jury indictments in south Georgia includes a first-degree murder case, gun and marijuana charges, and a healthcare fraud prosecution.
Published: August 26, 2026 7:04 am ET
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SAVANNAH, GA — Federal prosecutors in south Georgia announced a new round of grand jury indictments that includes a first-degree murder charge against a federal prison inmate, gun and marijuana charges against a Rincon man, and healthcare fraud allegations against an Augusta man.
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, the August term of the federal grand jury returned indictments against multiple defendants on charges ranging from violent crime to drug, firearm, and financial offenses.
Among the cases announced, 67-year-old Robert Kye Sturdy, an inmate at Federal Correctional Institute Jesup, was indicted on a first-degree murder charge.
Prosecutors also said 38-year-old Lenard Lorenzo Kearse of Rincon was indicted on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
In a separate case, 63-year-old Perry Patalano of Augusta was indicted on charges of healthcare fraud, theft of government money, property or records, and aggravated identity theft.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the cases were investigated by the Bureau of Prisons Criminal Investigations Division, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and local law enforcement agencies. The prosecutions are being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley R. Thompson, Matthew Breedon, Henry W. Syms Jr., and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karl I. Knoche.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Federal Grand Jury in South Georgia Returns Murder, Gun, Drug, and Healthcare Fraud Indictments
A new round of federal grand jury indictments in south Georgia includes a first-degree murder case, gun and marijuana charges, and a healthcare fraud prosecution.
By Silvia Torres
Published: August 26, 2026 7:04 am ET
SAVANNAH, GA — Federal prosecutors in south Georgia announced a new round of grand jury indictments that includes a first-degree murder charge against a federal prison inmate, gun and marijuana charges against a Rincon man, and healthcare fraud allegations against an Augusta man.
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, the August term of the federal grand jury returned indictments against multiple defendants on charges ranging from violent crime to drug, firearm, and financial offenses.
Among the cases announced, 67-year-old Robert Kye Sturdy, an inmate at Federal Correctional Institute Jesup, was indicted on a first-degree murder charge.
Prosecutors also said 38-year-old Lenard Lorenzo Kearse of Rincon was indicted on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
In a separate case, 63-year-old Perry Patalano of Augusta was indicted on charges of healthcare fraud, theft of government money, property or records, and aggravated identity theft.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the cases were investigated by the Bureau of Prisons Criminal Investigations Division, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and local law enforcement agencies. The prosecutions are being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley R. Thompson, Matthew Breedon, Henry W. Syms Jr., and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karl I. Knoche.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Federal Grand Jury in South Georgia Returns Murder, Gun, Drug, and Healthcare Fraud Indictments
A new round of federal grand jury indictments in south Georgia includes a first-degree murder case, gun and marijuana charges, and a healthcare fraud prosecution.
By Silvia Torres
Published: August 26, 2026 7:04 am ET
SAVANNAH, GA — Federal prosecutors in south Georgia announced a new round of grand jury indictments that includes a first-degree murder charge against a federal prison inmate, gun and marijuana charges against a Rincon man, and healthcare fraud allegations against an Augusta man.
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, the August term of the federal grand jury returned indictments against multiple defendants on charges ranging from violent crime to drug, firearm, and financial offenses.
Among the cases announced, 67-year-old Robert Kye Sturdy, an inmate at Federal Correctional Institute Jesup, was indicted on a first-degree murder charge.
Prosecutors also said 38-year-old Lenard Lorenzo Kearse of Rincon was indicted on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
In a separate case, 63-year-old Perry Patalano of Augusta was indicted on charges of healthcare fraud, theft of government money, property or records, and aggravated identity theft.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the cases were investigated by the Bureau of Prisons Criminal Investigations Division, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and local law enforcement agencies. The prosecutions are being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley R. Thompson, Matthew Breedon, Henry W. Syms Jr., and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karl I. Knoche.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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