Bond denied for 4 soldiers charged in plot to rob drug dealer

ATLANTA - A federal judge in Atlanta has denied bond for four soldiers stationed in Lumpkin County, saying that they had been prepared to commit ``unspeakable acts of violence.''

U.S. Magistrate Alan Baverman said Monday that someone could have been killed if the soldiers' plan to rob a drug stash house had been carried out.

The four include three former ranger instructors and a staff sergeant at the Camp Frank Merrill mountain training center in Dahlonega. Authorities arrested the four last month on drug conspiracy and weapons charges in an undercover sting by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Authorities say the four were led to believe they were going to commit a raid for at least 25 kilograms of cocaine.

Ordered into custody were staff sergeants 30-year-old Carlos Lopez of Gainesville, 28-year-old Stefan Andre Champagne of Dawsonville and 28-year-old David Ray White of Cleveland. Thirty-two-year-old Sergeant First Class Randy Spivey of Dahlonega later was arrested at Camp Merrill.

If arrested, each solider faces a minimum of 15 years in prison. A fifth solider, 44-year-old Sandeo Pablo Dyson of Gainesville, was arrested last week in Fort Carson, Colorado, where he had been stationed.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/2/206558