A Columbus man charged with exploitation of children had his initial appearance in municipal court Thursday.
Noel Everett Sumrall Jr., 66, was arrested in late 2011 after the Columbus Police Department received an anonymous tip he was in possession of child pornography. Attorney David Owen spoke on Sumrall’s behalf and waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Columbus Municipal Court. The case was bound over to the Lowndes County grand jury, which convenes in May.
Sumrall is free on a $7,500 bond, but he was ordered to surrender his passport. Sumrall was arrested Dec. 20 at his 811 Fifth Ave. N. home after officers from the Columbus Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division executed a search warrant. Officers found what is believed to be child pornography inside his home and storm shelter in the backyard. Police confiscated all forms of media found at the residence.
Lowndes County District Attorney Forrest Allgood said Sumrall could face a maximum sentence of 40 years imprisonment and up to a $500,000 fine if convicted.
Also making an appearance in court Thursday were the Turner brothers: Izell Turner, 29, of 2011 Shannon Ave.; Malcolm Turner, 22, of 500 Greentree Drive, Apt. B-9; and Phillip Turner, 24, of 300 Lehmberg Road. All are charged with aggravated assault with a weapon or other means to produce death. Malcolm Turner and Phillip Turner are both charged with two counts of the felony.
The cases for the brothers were continued until June 7.
The Turners were arrested in connection with an afternoon shooting in August 2011. The shooting occurred between the 1200 and 1300 blocks of Fifth Street South, according to Columbus Police Chief Selvain McQueen.
Derek Walls, 22, of 1414 Seventh St. N., was also arrested in connection with the shooting. Columbus Police Department Investigator L.C. Cockrell said he believes the incident occurred as the result of an argument between Walls and the Turners.
No one was injured as a result of the shooting, but between 20 and 30 shell casings were recovered from the area.
Walls was not scheduled to appear in court Thursday.
Malcolm Turner also faces a possession of stolen property charge. He was arrested Nov. 28 by deputies with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.
In an unrelated incident, Damian Dabar Peterson was charged with aggravated assault with a weapon or other means to produce death and was also scheduled to appear in court Thursday.
Peterson’s hearing was continued until March 3.
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