According to a sworn affidavit by GPD Sgt. Karen Yancy, the McKneelys engaged in racketeering activities of theft by receiving, in the furtherance of the enterprise, between May 8, 2007, and Aug. 26, 2009. The two are in the Spalding County Jail, where they are being held without bond. Their preliminary hearing is pending.
The CID investigation for violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act started as an undercover operation and is still ongoing, according to GPD Investigator Bryan Clanton.
The investigation resulted in search warrants being executed at Pawn City and the McKneely residence at 1830 Swint Road in Orchard Hill. It also led to knowledge of a McKneely property in Bay County, Fla., according to GPD Investigator Tony Thomason.
“We were able to receive assistance from the Bay County Sheriff’s Department and sent two of our investigators down to their area. This led to another search warrant being executed in Bay County, Florida,” said Thomason.
“If anyone has a concern over pawned property that they lay claim to at Pawn City, they need to contact Pawn City and not the Griffin Police Department,” said GPD Investigator John Hayes.
The Griffin Police Department will be releasing more information as the investigation continues.
"Hooked on Phonics" definitely should advertise with this paper.....I swear some of the people on this board have an age that is a larger number than their SAT Verbal score! "Critical Reading"......!
But, I have to give credit where credit is due....jdw527....you make a very good point. I can admit when I'm wrong unlike some other people on this board...and I give u credit for calling me out. I think I'm finished with this board anyway, I mean there is nothing more stubborn than "stupid"....and a number of people here have more than their fair share of that trait. I just hate people attempting to support and protect other people who they really know nothing about. If they didn't do it....then I hope they are vindicated....BUT, in my humble opinion AND the opinion of the several law enforcement officers who have been investigating them for 2 years.....along with a federal and local prosecutor....a judge....and grand jury....they are as done as "Franny's Fried Chicken"! So, while pity for related parties is an honorable trait to have...convictions for right and wrong are more important. If they hadn't done...what they allegedly did.....then none of this would be taking place. They are to blame alone...period. Be mad at that......be mad at them....because they made this happen!
And all the sorry in the world can't undo it now!
But I don't think they are sorry......just sorry they got caught! And that is a reflection of their character......
I'm going to end with this quote and then I'm done:
"Error is to be pitied and pardoned: it is the weakness of human nature. But vice is a foul blemish, not pardonable in any character."
- Thomas Jefferson
Refutation of Argument, 1776. Papers, 1:283
I do not recall ever "defending" them. What ticked me off was how harsh you were. I do not know them that well. I just know they have always treated me well. When you have a child cry on your shoulder because someone she loves is in trouble and she is scared to death and doesn't know what to do and then you read all of the comments and how bad it hurts the innocent people on top of everything else just rubs me the wrong way. With that said.....You spoke of my class level...let's be honest here you can't possibly feel good about the way you have acted.You could have said what you did with a little more respect for all parties involved. As for who I "hang out with" that really hurts because I spend alot of time with my daughter and son in law. My daughters actually share a talent with you. Both of them can walk on water...So with that said I am not and have not defended them. If they are guilty of what they are charged shame on them and they should be punished and should be ashamed for putting innocent people in that situation. I read previous comments that you made referring to the kids please take a look inward and realize you are hurting them just as much talking so mean and hateful.You of all people should know how bad it hurts when that happens.I will not respond anymore after this post. If I have offended anyone I apologize. MY only concern is that child crying on my shoulder. I just want her to be okay and safe.
"And as unfortunate as it is for their children....maybe they should have thought through the consequences their alleged criminal behavior would have on them!"
It says it is "unfortunate" for their children but that the parents should have "thought through the consequences their alleged criminal behavior would have on them". "Them" being the children. It is in defense of the kids, not against them.
Sorry, but fair is fair and that is not what was said.
God Bless.
Anyone who obviously checks the comments section of this article HOURLY like you seem to do smithje has no life and/or is cheating your employer out of an 8 hour day.
Yes, Yes, we know you are all powerful and all knowing. All seeing. YOU of ALL the people connected to this case, however slightly, are the omniscient one.
Anyone who talks about how these EVIL people should spend 20 years in prison has not an inkling of who these people are or their business so really you have no business even reading the article, much less extolling your blather on the general populace of the city of Griffin and surrounding areas.
PLEASE, PLEASE fill free to waist your entire day ripping apart my comments line by line. I can think of no better gift to the people of Griffin than to keep you in your mom's basement for another few hours.
I await your witty come back smithje (probably in the next 2 minutes) and if you do it will be ignored because other than labeling you an idiot, I have no further comment.
Other than the GDN needs to update this story and should disable the comments because they add nothing meaningful to the content especially with trolls usernamed smithje.
Finally someone who has a clue! We have a winner!! You have an educated opinion....it's wrong....but nevertheless educated! The two people you speak of I would guess want nothing to do with this situation or are either sad or embarassed by it. I don't know. I'm just an interested 3rd party who can't wait for the truth to come out! They have mistreated a number of people over the years and you are at the beginning of finding out who they all are!
So while I respect your opinion, as you should mine...it will all play out in due course!
Congratulations on not being ignorant....although you are a bit misinformed!
(But, I understand you having to stand up for "family"! Oh yes, I have deductive reasoning abilities as well!)
One thing that we can both agree on is that the truth about these people is coming out....one way or the other....but it's coming out nevertheless!
"He who laughs last.......laughs the loudest my friend!" And I for one am not worried in the least!
Please stop! You have not known "these folks" for 30 years because they didn't know each other 30 years ago......nor did they work at the same place then! You are only off by about a decade!!!
(Not to mention the fact that where one of them worked is out of business now and has been for decades!)Don't make me call you out like I did "jdw527"!
You are not nearly as informed as you claim to be! And as unfortunate as it is for their children....maybe they should have thought through the consequences their alleged criminal behavior would have on them! Nevertheless though, the smart money bet is on them having years (say 20 years) to contemplate on how they could have conducted themselves in a more conventional and befitting manner that would have allowed them to be the "beacon of morality" you soooo claim them to be!
Another purveyor of lies bites the dust...NEXT!!!
I truly feel sorry for their customers such as yourself that through no fault of your own have been engulfed in this nonsense! And by the way.....where are all the people who kept saying they are great people....and this is a "scam" they were just caught up in! Where are you now? Hello? Bueller? Bueller?
These ignorant people are blind or bald face liars who know not of what they speak! I've been saying it from the begining and will continue it now. They got caught with their hand in the "ever expanding cookie jar" and are going down HARD for it! If this was a scam and "an honest mistake" then why haven't they reopened?
Again were are you people who ignorantly thought you knew sooo much more than some others on this board? I was right then...and it's being proven....and I'm right now. SET GAME & MATCH!!!
To answer your question, "yes".....I can walk on water! And I know more about them than you ever could. I guess I shouldn't presume a person of your class level would have even the smallest level of discernment. I mean, look who you hang out with and how you live your life! I can just see you scratching your goatee trying to figure this out....."John"!!!
WOW.....that's all i have to say......WOW!!!
If this is the level of intelligence of their backers then they have a tough road ahead and some of you have a lot to learn!
Please stop embarassing yourself.....or grab a dictionary! Unbelievable!