Former Albany mayor, businessman arrested in gambling bust

ALBANY — Former Albany mayor Dr. Willie Adams Jr. and Albany businessman and real estate developer Robert Nelson “Bob” Brooks were among 14 people arrested on gambling charges Monday night, investigators say.

Mark Pro, assistant special agent in charge with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, said that following a long-term investigation, a search warrant was executed at a suspected gambling house at 2650 N. Jefferson St. around 8 p.m. Suspects present at the address were charged with illegal gambling and transported to the Dougherty County Jail, Pro said.

According to a news release by the GBI Tuesday afternoon, agents collected evidence associated with the illegal gambling operation including two firearms and approximately $20,000 in cash.

In addition to Adams and Brooks, those facing charges in connection with the gambling bust are:

— Page Elliott Keen of Leesburg,

— Jerome Hubbard of Albany,

— Donald R. Bell of Albany,

— Charlie Cliff Carswell of Albany,

— William Connell of Albany,

— Anthony Forsythe of Cordele,

— James David Howell of Doerun,

— Todd William Kegler of Dawson,

— Travis Landon Kierce of Leesburg,

— Santy Solis of Albany,

— Alvin Whelchel of Cordele,

— Harry Wayne Wimbourn Jr. of Albany.

Officials say each of the men arrested has been released on a $500 bond.

Dougherty County District Attorney Greg Edwards said on Tuesday he’s considering whether to recuse himself from prosecuting the case, citing his associations with some of the accused individuals and their affiliations.

“I just don’t want to have those types of issues with any aspect of the case,” Edwards said.

If the decision to recuse is made, Edwards said the mostly likely alternative would be to involve the Office of the Georgia Attorney General, which would then oversee the gambling case.