Latest news with #Fomby
Miami Herald
17-03-2025
- Miami Herald
Inmate smuggled fentanyl that killed 2 at Georgia jail, officials say. He's sentenced
An inmate accused of dealing the fentanyl that killed two men inside an Atlanta-area jail was sentenced to life in prison, Georgia prosecutors said. A jury convicted Harry Fomby, 54, of murder in the overdose deaths of Corey Leemarie Bryant, 22, and Ian Jabar Longshore, 36, in 2021, the Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office said in a March 14 news release. Fomby was also found guilty of violating Georgia's Controlled Substance Abuse Act and two counts of possession of prohibited items by an inmate, prosecutors said. He was ordered to serve two life sentences more than three years after Bryant and Longshore were found dead in their cells at the Gwinnett County Jail, according to prosecutors. Both overdosed on Fentanyl and Xylazine, a veterinary sedative often mixed with illicit drugs. No attorney information for Fomby was listed online. 'Fentanyl is a deadly drug, and ... this is not a substance to be toyed with,' Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said in the release. 'Two men lost the chance to turn around their lives because of this substance.' Bryant and Longshore were discovered Sept. 6, 2021, the DA's office said. Fellow inmates told jailers that Fomby was the one who smuggled in the deadly drugs. At trial, investigators showed footage of an X-ray scan taken as Fomby was being booked into the Gwinnett County Jail, according to the release. It showed a 'small circular item' hidden between his legs. Prosecutors also pointed to security video from the jail that showed Longshore walk to Fomby's cell and pick up a 'small item' that was slid under the door. Later, Longshore returned with commissary items that he left outside Fomby's cell. Prosecutors said Fomby acknowledged the trade during a jailhouse phone call, saying 'he was making 'maneuvers'' at the jail. He tried to blame his cellmate when investigators asked him about it, authorities said. Fomby remained in the Gwinnett County Jail without bond as of March 17, online records show. Lawrenceville is about a 30-mile drive northeast from downtown Atlanta.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Yahoo
Gwinnett County Jail inmate found guilty of murder for drug overdoses
A prisoner inside of the Gwinnett County jail was sentenced to life in prison recently after selling fentanyl to two inmates who died from an overdose. Officials say Harry Fomby, 54, was found guilty of two counts of felony murder, violation of Georgia's Controlled Substance Abuse Act, and two counts of possession of prohibited items by inmates in connection with the September 2021 deaths of 22-year-old Corey Leemarie Bryant and 36-year-old Ian Jabar Longshore. 'Fentanyl is a deadly drug, and no matter who you are or where you are, this is not a substance to be toyed with,' Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. 'Two men lost the chance to turn around their lives because of this substance. We pray for their respective families and continue to advocate for prevention of any distribution of this drug in Gwinnett County.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Sept. 6, 2021, both men were found dead in their cells. Medical staff ruled both men died from an overdose of fentanyl and xylazine. Several inmates informed jail officials that Fomby smuggled the drugs inside of the jail. They confirmed the information after an x-ray showed a small circular item concealed between his legs. TRENDING STORIES: 'It sounded like a warzone:' Family recounts moment tree fell on Paulding County home 2 charged with murder after 4-year-old GA girl dies Man with AR-platform rifle allegedly threatened to kill people inside Carrollton bank Surveillance footage also showed Longshore walk to Fomby's cell and retrieve a small item that was slid under the door. In return, Longshore could be seen leaving commissary items in front of Fomby's cell which Fomby later picked up. After a two-and-a-half hours deliberation, the jury determined Fomby would serve two life sentences. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Yahoo
Gwinnett County Jail inmate found guilty of murder for drug overdoses
A prisoner inside of the Gwinnett County jail was sentenced to life in prison recently after selling fentanyl to two inmates who died from an overdose. Officials say Harry Fomby, 54, was found guilty of two counts of felony murder, violation of Georgia's Controlled Substance Abuse Act, and two counts of possession of prohibited items by inmates in connection with the September 2021 deaths of 22-year-old Corey Leemarie Bryant and 36-year-old Ian Jabar Longshore. 'Fentanyl is a deadly drug, and no matter who you are or where you are, this is not a substance to be toyed with,' Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. 'Two men lost the chance to turn around their lives because of this substance. We pray for their respective families and continue to advocate for prevention of any distribution of this drug in Gwinnett County.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Sept. 6, 2021, both men were found dead in their cells. Medical staff ruled both men died from an overdose of fentanyl and xylazine. Several inmates informed jail officials that Fomby smuggled the drugs inside of the jail. They confirmed the information after an x-ray showed a small circular item concealed between his legs. TRENDING STORIES: 'It sounded like a warzone:' Family recounts moment tree fell on Paulding County home 2 charged with murder after 4-year-old GA girl dies Man with AR-platform rifle allegedly threatened to kill people inside Carrollton bank Surveillance footage also showed Longshore walk to Fomby's cell and retrieve a small item that was slid under the door. In return, Longshore could be seen leaving commissary items in front of Fomby's cell which Fomby later picked up. After a two-and-a-half hours deliberation, the jury determined Fomby would serve two life sentences. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Yahoo
Gwinnett County inmate sentenced to life after fellow inmates overdose
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - A 54-year-old inmate, convicted of dealing fentanyl inside the Gwinnett County Jail, has been sentenced to life in prison after two fellow inmates fatally overdosed on the drugs he smuggled into the facility. What we know Harry Fomby was found guilty of two counts of felony murder, violation of Georgia's Controlled Substance Abuse Act, and two counts of possession of prohibited items by an inmate. His conviction stems from the September 2021 deaths of Corey Leemarie Bryant, 22, and Ian Jabar Longshore, 36. The backstory On Sept. 6, 2021, jail staff discovered Longshore and Bryant dead in their cells. Medical officials determined that both men overdosed on fentanyl and xylazine. Other inmates informed correctional officers that Fomby had smuggled the drugs into the jail. Investigators later confirmed this, with X-ray footage taken at Fomby's booking showing a small concealed item between his legs. Surveillance footage played during the trial showed Longshore retrieving drugs that Fomby slid under his cell door. Later, Longshore was seen leaving commissary items in front of Fomby's cell—an apparent exchange for the drugs. Prosecutors also played a recorded jail phone call, in which Fomby was heard telling a woman he was making "maneuvers" inside the jail. When questioned by investigators, he blamed his cellmate. The jury deliberated for just two-and-a-half hours before returning a guilty verdict. Fomby was sentenced to two life terms in prison. Gwinnett County Drug and Gang Task Force Assistant District Attorneys David Ian and Brian Trepanier prosecuted the case. DA's DGTF investigators Yayoi Huggins and David Wilbanks, DA's investigators Doug Loomis and David Brucz, and victim witness advocate Trina Bradford assisted with the case. The Gwinnett County Police Department was also instrumental in closing the case.
