Houston County District Attorney

DAVID L. TOLBERT, JR., 36, of 444 Forrest Hill Rd., Macon, Georgia and MICHAEL DEWAYNE WILLIS, 31, of 747 Highway 128, Roberta, Georgia, were convicted today (November 5, 2009) by a Houston County jury of Armed Robbery, Kidnapping with Bodily Injury, Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Sodomy, and Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Crime.

Judge Katherine Lumsden sentenced Willis to three life sentences plus 45 years in prison, and Tolbert received four life sentences plus 45 years. The jury deliberated about two hours before delivering their verdict.

Houston County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to an armed robbery and sexual assault on Bear Branch Road during the early morning hours of July 18, 2007. Two males severely beat the victim resident with a gun, causing him to suffer cracked ribs and a broken nose. Willis also sexually assaulted a female at the residence by forcing her to perform oral sex while holding a gun to her head. Sergeant Al Elvins of the Sheriff’s Office led the investigation. The victim told Sgt Elvins about a novelty lotto ticket he had with a face value of ten thousand dollars he showed earlier to a friend. Elvins talked to the friend who confessed to telling Willis and Tolbert about the ticket, which they thought was real. Willis and Tolbert planned the robbery in front of her and also spoke to her about it by phone after the robbery. Photo lineups were conducted and the female victim identified both Willis and Tolbert as the men who assaulted her. Phone records also verified the friend’s statement, and Mr. Tolbert’s vehicle matched the description of the getaway car. The clothes that Willis and Tolbert were seen wearing while planning the robbery were the same as what both victims told police.

COMMENTS FROM CHIEF ASSISTANT DA JASON ASHFORD:

This was a very serious case and we are gratified both by the jury’s verdict and the Court’s sentence. We hope this sentence sends a message that this conduct will not be tolerated in Houston County. Sgt Elvins did an outstanding job putting together a great case.

COMMENTS FROM ASSISTANT DA JOSHUA MORRISON: We are thankful that two dangerous criminals are now off the street. The Sheriff’s Office, the medical center staff, and our victim advocate program did an outstanding job in bringing this case to closure.

Tolbert was represented by Mr. Bill Peterson and Willis was represented by Mr. Clarence Williams.