Seven People plead Guilty in RICO Case

The Rabun County Sheriff’s Office and the Rabun County District Attorney’s Office report that seven people plead guilty in a recent Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization or RICO case.  Terry Young pleaded guilty to RICO and was sentenced to 10 years as well as burglary and was sentenced to 15 years.  He must serve the first 7 years in confinement and the remaining years on probation.  Rita Frady entered an Alford Plea to theft by receiving stolen property and was sentenced to 10 years with the first 2 years to be served under house arrest and the remainder served on probation.  Michael Frady pleaded guilty to RICO and was sentenced to 5 years as well as burglary in the first degree and was sentenced to 20 years and also trafficking in methamphetamine and was sentenced to 10 years with the first 15 years to be served in confinement and the remainder served on probation.  Sydney Hamby pleaded guilty to burglary in the first degree and was sentenced to 10 years with the first 2 years to be served in confinement and the remainder to be served on probation.  Peyton Hunnicutt Groom pleaded guilty to theft by receiving stolen property and was sentenced to 7 years with the first year to be served in confinement and the remainder to be served on probation.  Jody McCrackin pleaded guilty to burglary in the first degree and was sentenced to 20 years, as well as possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and was sentenced to 20 years with the first 8 years to be served in confinement and the remainder to be served on probation.  Michael Smiley pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft and was sentenced to 12 months with credit for time served.  Ashlynn Wilburn pleaded guilty to burglary in the first degree and was sentenced to 10 years to be served on probation.  The suspected leader of the organization, David Lee Frady was found guilty by a jury on all counts and was sentenced to 20 years of confinement for RICO, 20 years of confinement (consecutive) for burglary, and 15 years to serve with 5 years on probation for forgery, which is a total of 50 years of confinement.  Austin Scott Groom and Steven Watts are the only co-defendants left to be tried in this case.