MARTA OFFICER PLEADS GUILTY TO THEFT

Defendant Admits Using Agency Funds to Pawn $20K in Goods

Atlanta- 40-year-old Christopher Heggs, a twelve-year veteran of the MARTA Police Department will spend a year behind bars following a conviction by guilty plea on 18-counts of Theft by Taking and Violation of Oath by a Public Officer for stealing, then pawning MARTA goods.

In February 2007, Heggs, a former Lieutenant and commander of MARTA’s SWAT Team resigned amid an internal investigation involving unauthorized purchases he was accused of making with MARTA funds. A joint investigation by MARTA and the Office of the Fulton County District Attorney, revealed Lt. Heggs pawned and sold numerous highly sensitive pieces of tactical equipment to various pawn shops in Clayton County. The items included ammunition, high capacity weapon magazines, night vision binoculars and laser sights. The total amount of loss was $26,241.92.

Lt. Heggs pled guilty to all counts on December 8, 2010 before Clayton County Superior Court Judge Albert B. Collier with Fulton County Deputy District Attorney Shondeana Morris serving as Special Prosecutor. Heggs was sentenced to five years to serve one in prison. He voluntary surrendered his MARTA pension to pay restitution in the full amount of MARTA’s loss. Heggs also voluntarily surrendered his Peace Officer Certification and agreed never to apply for any peace officer position in Georgia or any other state. Additionally, Heggs was ordered to perform 120 hours of community service upon his release from prison.

The case was prosecuted by the Public Integrity Unit led by Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney Kellie Hill with assistance from Senior DA Investigator Cameron Crandall and Investigator Miquel Albarran of the Marta Police Department.

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