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Published Thursday, July 24, 2008 in Local

Guilty pleas entered in Superior Court

By Elizabeth Melville

The Newnan Times-Herald

The Coweta County District Attorney's office received pleas in two different Superior Court cases this week at the Coweta County Justice Center -- one involving child molestation and the other an aggravated assault.

Walter Lee Ponder, 20, pleaded guilty Wednesday to aggravated assault with a firearm and burglary -- for entering a residence with the intent to commit aggravated assault, a felony -- and received a sentence from Judge Jack Kirby of 10 years to serve one, according to Senior Assistant District Attorney Ray Mayer.

In a separate case, Thomas Williamson Caldwell, 35, pleaded guilty on Monday to child molestation and was sentenced by Judge William F. Lee to 25 years to serve 10, according to Assistant District Attorney Kevin McMurry.

Ponder, who was represented in court by Attorney Rick Samper, fired five gunshots at 21-year-old Quinton Alexander during a physical altercation at 32 C Haynie St. on Nov. 17, 2007. Ponder and Alexander reportedly got into an argument outside the residence on Haynie Street when Ponder pulled a pistol from his waistband. According to Newnan police, Alexander ran inside the residence and locked the door. Ponder kicked the door open and chased after Alexander as he fled up the stairs. Ponder fired three shots at Alexander inside, then as they exited the residence, Ponder fired an additional two shots before fleeing the area on foot. Ponder was taken into police custody approximately one month later.

Ironically, Alexander himself is a convicted drug dealer who was sentenced to five years with two to serve in 2005, according to Mayer. Alexander remains on probation.

"All things considered, the judge figured a year would be a sufficient sentence [for Ponder]," said Mayer.

Ponder was also arrested this month by local police for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. In September, the district attorney's office intends to file a formal accusation against Ponder and then he'll once again be placed on the court calendar to face the latest charge, according to Mayer.

According to Mayer, cases similar to that of Ponder's are becoming the rule more so than the exception.

"We're finding younger generations of drug dealers are more prone to carry weapons," said Mayer, especially mentioning the 20-something-year-old crowd. "They're not just drug dealers, they're thugs -- it's getting more violent." Mayer added that the district attorney's office plans to remain vigilant about prosecuting these types of cases.

In the separate child molestation case that was resolved Monday, Caldwell was originally arrested on Nov. 13, 2007, and charged with two counts of aggravated child molestation, according to McMurry.

"The essence of the allegation [against Caldwell] is that he performed oral sex on a 6-year-old girl [on two known occasions]," said McMurry. The young child's parents became suspicious of Caldwell and confronted their daughter, at which time she disclosed what had happened.

Caldwell, who was represented by Attorney Bill Stemberger, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of child molestation as part of a negotiated plea with the district attorney's office.

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