FAKE MONEY, FAKE DRUGS: TWO DEAD

Drug Deal Between Rival Groups Ends in Sandy Springs Shootout

Atlanta- The first set of defendants indicted in a Sandy Springs double homicide have been convicted for the shooting deaths of two men, the casualties of a drug deal gone bad.

Jurors found Delman Higuera Hernandez and Rogelio Higuera Guiterrez guilty of multiple counts related to the September 2009 murder including felony murder, aggravated assault, voluntary manslaughter, conspiracy and weapons and drug trafficking charges.

The defendants were part of a group of men who arranged to sell $58, 000 worth of fake cocaine to another group of men. The “buyers” attempted to purchase the drugs with counterfeit money. When each group realized they were being “scammed” by the other, a shootout ensued in Defendant Hernandez’ Sandy Springs apartment. At least four different guns were used to fire a total of thirty-two rounds. Antonio Clark, one of the “buyers”, and Santos Palacios Vasquez, one of the “sellers,” were killed in the crossfire. Defendant Hernandez, who was injured in the melee, initially told authorities he had been robbed and shot.

The defendants will be sentenced at a later date following pre-sentencing hearings. Five other defendants remain to be tried.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Kimberly Esmond Adams presided over the case. It was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Lawanda Hodges and North Fulton Community Prosecutor Todd Ashley with assistance from DA Investigator David White. Detective Frank Trammer of the Sandy Springs Police Department led the initial investigation.

Media Contact: Yvette Brown, 404-224-0560/404-392-8867, yvette.brown@fultoncountyga.gov