DAGIM GEDA PLEADS GUILTY TO NORTH FULTON HOME INVASION

CO-DEFENDANT FACES TRIAL IN JULY INCIDENT THAT TERRORIZED FAMILY

Atlanta-Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. (Atlanta Judicial Circuit) announces that Dagim Geda (20) has pleaded guilty to 23 felony counts for a 7 July 2004 home invasion in north Fulton County. Geda pleaded guilty to burglary, kidnapping (six counts), false imprisonment (six counts), aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (six counts), armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, theft by taking, and criminal attempt to commit armed robbery. Geda faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison when he is sentenced early next year.

Geda and co-defendant Jonah Sanders (18) broke into the home of Dr. Nagme Khan at 7190 Riverside Way in the early morning hours on the day of the incident. They demanded money from Dr. Khan and threatened the family and their housekeeper. They locked four of the children and the housekeeper in the basement and then forced Dr. Khan and a 15-year-old daughter into the family's car and drove them to a nearby bank (that was not yet open for the day) to get money. When police arrived at the bank, the defendants fled the scene with the girl still in the car but were arrested a short while later at Geda's nearby apartment. The girl was found locked in a closet, unharmed.

Sanders faces trial on these same charges on 6 December.

Assistant District Attorneys Jill Hollander and Christopher Toles prosecuted the case, and Judge Marvin Arrington presided.

CONTACT: Erik Friedly, 404-224-0560 (office); 404-533-1381 (pager)