By Patti Dozier
THOMASVILLE — Three individuals serving felony sentences face voting-related charges.
The suspects — Jerry Daniels, 32, Boston, Donald T. Coley, 51, Thomasville, Carlos Emanuel, 34, Thomasville — are charged with false swearing.
“They signed a waiver saying they were not under sentences for a felony conviction,” said Lt. Tim Watkins, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office chief investigator.
The suspects attempted to register to vote at the local drivers license bureau. Anyone serving a felony sentence cannot vote in Georgia.
Emanuel is on probation for burglary, while Coley is on probation for a fraud conviction.
Daniels is listed on the sex offender registry, said Jason Shoudel, sheriff’s office investigator.
“As long as he still has to register, it’s considered still under sentence,” Shoudel explained about Daniels’ status.
The voter registrar’s office is required to send violations to the district attorney’s office for prosecution.
“The district attorney sends violations to the sheriff’s office,” Watkins explained.
Sheriff’s office personnel verified criminal histories of the three suspects, an incident report shows.
The suspects’ voter registration attempts were discovered in late October.
Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 220.
