An Atlanta man has been handed a two-decade sentence after entering a guilty plea for the robbery and assault of a nonagenarian veteran. Samuel Harvey, 62, accepted responsibility for the heinous acts committed against Arthur Johnson, a 93-year-old veteran, dating back to an incident in July 2022. On April 4, Harvey pleaded guilty to charges including Abuse of an Elder Person, Robbery by Force, and Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers, landing him a strict sentence due to his prior criminal record.
The situation unfolded outside a CVS Pharmacy in DeKalb County, where Harvey violently confronted Johnson in the pharmacy's parking lot. Following the report of the robbery, DeKalb County Police Department swiftly apprehended Harvey as he attempted to quickly abscond from the scene. The abuse sustained by Johnson in the attack did not only take away an honorable veteran's peace but also contributed to a decline in his health. Johnson was initially resistant to medical treatment, yet the brutality of the assault necessitated hospitalization, leading to his death four months later.
In the aftermath of Harvey's guilty plea, Superior Court Judge Stacey Hydrick did not hesitate to impose a firm 20-year sentence, requiring him to serve 15 years in confinement with the possibility of extending this duration by 5 additional years on probation. "Because of Defendant Harvey’s prior criminal history, he is not eligible for parole," as mentioned by the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office. The unit dedicated to prosecuting crimes against elder persons and those with disabilities, helmed by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Franklin Engram and his team, led the prosecution's efforts.
The offending incident originated when Harvey assaulted the elderly veteran as he reportedly slept in his car. An eyewitness, a CVS employee, observed and questioned Harvey who falsely claimed to be aiding Mr. Johnson before knocking him down and stealing his belongings. As per the D.A.'s office, this narrative adds a grim context to the severity of Harvey’s attack and the shocking disregard for the dignity and well-being of an aged war veteran.
The case was put together by members of the D.A.’s Crimes Against Elder Persons and Adults with Disabilities Unit and the former detectives from the DeKalb County Police Department, according to the statement from the District Attorney's Office. Despite the trial's closure and the sentence delivered, the sorrowful tale of Mr. Johnson’s final months, marked by a cruel and unprovoked attack, underscores the paramount importance of safeguarding the vulnerable against such violent transgressions.
