Duke Franklin leaves court
City Councilman John "Duke" Franklin was arrested Wednesday morning by federal authorities on charges of money laundering, obstruction of justice and filing false papers.
Prosecutor Scott Winne said he faces up to 20 years in prison for money laundering and up to five years on the other two charges.
Franklin, who entered the courtroom in handcuffs and wearing a casual shirt, was to be allowed to go free on bond after his late afternoon appearance before Federal Magistrate Bill Carter.
Franklin left the courthouse hurriedly without making any comment. He got into a car driven by former Judge Walter Williams and with his other attorney, Marty Levitt, in the front seat.
His arraignment was set for May 27 at 2 p.m.
Franklin, 49, was among those taken in handcuffs to Finley Stadium at mid-morning as part of a federal roundup of individuals involved in a $1.2 million cocaine ring.
Franklin was charged with conspiring with others to attempt to cover up a large cocaine transaction.
It is charged that he was involved in creating a false document in connection with the coverup.
The joint indictment is brought against Franklin, Michael Kelley, Gerald Cunningham, Nanette Shropshire, Guy Stiner, Kenneth Edmond, Kevin Fletcher, Johnny Levi and Perry Lawrence.
It says all but Franklin and Lawrence were involved in a cocaine dealing conspiracy.
The indictment says beginning March 5, Franklin, Kelley and Lawrence and others were involved in a transaction to cover up cocaine dealing.
It also says they did "corruptly attempt to obstruct, influence and impede an official proceeding, to wit, a federal grand jury and a proceeding before a judge and a court of the United States."
It says a sheriff's deputy on March 5 stopped Kelley and found $69,500 in his vehicle. Authorities said Kelley planned to buy drugs with the money.
The indictment says afterwards Perry Lawrence agreed to provide Kelley with a document saying he had loaned $69,500 to him. It says Franklin agreed with Kelley to create a false document about the alleged bogus loan.
It says the false loan document was faxed to Kelley from outside the state of Tennessee on March 6. It says the next day, Kelley and Franklin had a conversation about the document. It says Franklin caused another person to notarize the false loan document, falsely certifying that it was signed on Feb. 12.
The indictment says on April 1 with dealings with the IRS make a false statement that he was contacted by Kelley about the document on Feb. 12.
There were 42 persons charged.
Of those charged, 31 of those had been brought to the stadium by noon. The roundup began early Wednesday morning. A large number of police cars were outside the stadium.
City Councilman Manny Rico said, "I can't say I am shocked - after we already had Sheriff Billy Long arrested - but I am very disappointed."
Councilman Franklin's father, John P. Franklin, was a longtime member of the City Commission.
The father and son were long associated with Franklin-Strickland Funeral Home.
They recently left that firm to form their own Franklin Funeral Home in a former Turner Funeral Home chapel on Dodds Avenue.
His father and sister were in the courtroom along with family friend, Rev. Paul McDaniel.
The District 5 representative first went on the council in 1998, then he won a full term in 2001.
He is a leader in the state and national League of Cities.
Demarcus Akins was charged in a separate drug indictment in the $1.2 million cocaine case. He was arrested in Atlanta and brought up for the afternoon appearance before Magistrate Carter.
The indictment lists a number of large cash deposits by Akins as well as a $9,500 cash payment on a Land Rover.
Still another cocaine ring indictment lists Marcus Lewis, Edward Byrdsong, Shanna Bridgeman, Lakisha Cross, Walter Fortson, Jason Lee, Fredginald Bridgeman, Terrance Ware, Derrick Hampton, Ulysses Bradley Jr., Jonah Franklin, Terrance Lee, Mark Young, Jerry Daniel, Shaun Sanders, Cory McNeal, Patricia Nash, Gregory Woodget, Wyletta Watkins McNeal, Kelvin Watkins and David Brooks.
Most of those charged in the drug ring were not allowed bond.
Duke Franklin is third from right in this recent photo of the City Council