Albany Herald

ALBANY, Ga. -- A gunman who fired shots in a bank and tried to shoot an Albany Police Department officer was indicted by a Dougherty County grand jury Wednesday.

According to the indictment, 37-year-old Eric Devaughn Colbert faces charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, 10 counts of aggravated assault on the people in the bank and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

If Colbert is convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of more than 200 years, said District Attorney Greg Edwards.

The indictment indicated that Colbert walked into First State Bank at 2101 N. Slappey Blvd. on Nov. 18 fired his handgun several times and shouted it was a "robbery."

Police Officer Chris Richardson was in the bank, according to police reports. When Colbert saw him, he began firing at him, the report added.

"Colbert just walked into the bank and started shooting. This was an instance where the police acted swiftly and saved lives," Edwards said. "The swift action of the police officer to protect citizens and himself can only be called heroically commendable."

In another indictment, the grand jury indicted Devonte Rashad Covin and Trawick Bernard Kennedy of aggravated assault, street gang terrorism possession of a firearm while committing a felony cruelty to children and rioting in a penal institution.

According to the indictments, Covin and Kennedy, as members of the Black Gangster Disciples, a criminal street gang, shot Jamarous White with a handgun on Dec.12 while Janadasen Starling, under 18 years old, watched.

While Covin and Kennedy were in Dougherty County Jail, they assaulted Detravious Britton and other inmates, the indictments added.

In an unrelated drug case, the grand jury handed down 19 counts against Byron Adam Braley and Elizabeth Mein. They were indicted on multiple manufacturing marijuana, distribution of marijuana and possession of oxycodone hydrocodone and other drugs.

The indictment added Braley was also charged with possession of a Savage Arms .22-caliber rifle, a Remington .12-gauge, a Winchester .12-gauge and a Compianhia Brasileria De Cratuchos .410 and other shotguns, rifles and .22-caliber pistols by a felon.

Because a juvenile was present during the manufacture of marijuana the couple was also charged with reckless conduct. The indictment also requested that recidivist punishment be allowed after evidence of aggravation is presented pending a conviction.