After three days of deliberation, a federal jury found a former Rockmart Police Department officer and his wife guilty on all counts but failed to reach a verdict on a third defendant who had also worked with the department.

Jedson Edward Leist, his wife Ingrid Arneth and former Rockmart police colleague Carey Higgins were on trial in connection with Leist’s application to join the Rockmart unit and his use of firearms during his subsequent employment.



In U.S. District Court in Rome, Leist was found guilty on charges of submitting a fake fingerprint card to help get his job as a police officer and possessing firearms after having been previously convicted of a felony.

He and Arneth were found guilty of making false representations to gun dealers when she purchased guns for Leist, claiming that the guns were for herself.

The 12-person jury deliberated from Tuesday afternoon until almost the end of the day Thursday but could not come to a verdict on Higgins, who was accused of knowingly helping Leist get the job.

“There was no proof on Higgins,” said juror Sherry Dunbar of Douglasville.

According to several jurors they were deadlocked at 7-5, with the majority favoring a guilty verdict.

The verdict came after a weary-looking jury told U.S. District Court Judge Robert L. Vining that they had been deadlocked all day Thursday and did not expect a resolution in regard to Higgins.

“Y’all go home,” he told the jurors. “You gave it your very best shot, and I appreciate it.”

Family members in the courtroom wept after hearing the verdict. Arneth will remain on bond until sentencing. Leist is being held without bond. A preliminary sentencing date has been set for Jan. 24, 2008.

Members of Higgins’ family declined to talk because of a possible retrial. Department of Justice officials said they are undecided about trying the case again.

“The evidence proved that Leist lied to the Rockmart Police Department and the FBI so that Leist could become a police officer and carry guns despite his criminal past,” said David E. Nahmias, United States Attorney.

The maximum sentence for Leist is 85 years and a fine of as much as $3.5 million. The maximum sentence for Arneth is 35 years in federal prison and a fine of as much as $1.75 million.