CHATTAHOOCHEE BUSINESS Award-winning Gene Perkins SAVE UP TO 11-year-old seizes career $180 IN COUPONS dancer wants opportunity INSIDE to go to NYC 13A at Synovus 8C

STAY CONNECTED FACEBOOK.COM/COLUMBUSLEDGERENQUIRER SERVING GEORGIA AND Showers, storms SUNDAY MAY212017 $2 LEDGER-ENQUIRER.COM TWITTER.COM/LEDGERENQUIRER SOUTHEAST ALABAMA SINCE 1828 81°/70° See 2A

CRIME AND COURTS Understanding gang law

BY TIM CHITWOOD IN THE TRIAL OF THREE CRIPS WHO [email protected] IN RETALIATION FOR AN EARLIER SPORTS To Columbus the law’s HOMICIDE GUNNED DOWN A MAN becoming increasingly LAST YEAR OUTSIDE THE MALL, familiar. CENTRAL TOO It’s the Georgia Gang DEFENSE ATTORNEYS CHALLENGED Terrorism and Preven- THE GANG LAW REPEATEDLY. MUCH FOR CARVER tion Act, under which Central puts up a strong suspects were charged in a gang assassination at showing in a 48-0 victory Peachtree Mall, and in a a gang known to operate In the trial of three over Carver in their spring biker murder trial in- as a criminal enterprise, Crips who in retaliation volving a shootout at a is illegal. for an earlier homicide football scrimmage. 1C Macon Road sports bar. That would violate a gunned down a man last ROBIN TRIMARCHI [email protected] The law sounds sim- basic civil right, freedom year outside the mall, Xzavaien Traven Jones, center, was convicted last year pler than it is. It sounds of association, protected along with Tekoa Young and Terell McFarland in the like joining a gang, even by the Constitution. SEE GANG, 5A shooting death of Anthony Meredith.

ARTS FORMER JAIL NOW THRIVING MUSEUM LaGrange, Ga., is home to an art museum with an unusual history. Its building housed a jail, furniture store and newspaper offices. 1E

NATION U.S., SAUDI ARABIA FORGE ARMS DEAL The United States ROBIN TRIMARCHI [email protected] completed an arms deal Royale Lampley stands outside Jordan Vocational High School with his mother, Cassaundra Hudson Smith. Lampley is a member of the first graduating class of the Columbus Scholars mentoring program. Six of the seven members completed the requirements to receive that promise. with Saudi Arabia totaling $110 billion Saturday. 4A COLUMBUS SCHOLARS Promise becomes real for 6 grads CHATTAHOOCHEE ‘S-TOWN’ PODCAST

high-achieving but disadvan- – and six of the seven members MORE INSIDE WORTH THE TIME BY MARK RICE taged Muscogee County School have completed the require- Compelling seven-hour [email protected] District fifth-graders the ad- ments to receive that promise. List of area high school graduations, 6A vantages of mentoring and Here’s how one of them did it. podcast about a small ight years ago, the non- money for a better chance at a Despite growing up as the VIDEO Alabama town feels like a profit corporation Co- college education. Now, the first youngest of five children with a novel, but the story is real. lumbus Scholars was class of Columbus Scholars is Click on this story at ledger-enquirer.com E established to provide set to graduate from high school SEE GRADUATION, 6A for a video from our interview. 13A

CUSTOMER SERVICE To subscribe or report delivery issues, Business 8C Legals 17A Obituaries 16A Classifieds 5B Local 3A Opinion 2B 888-323-1222 or ledger-enquirer.com/customer-service Comics 1Z Nation 4A Sports 1C THE HEAT IS HERE! NEED COOLING? 6A SUNDAY MAY212017 News LEDGER-ENQUIRER.COM

FROM PAGE 1A PERSEVERANCE that, and the background ...... Royale learned perse- he comes from, it’s kind of LEARN MORE verance even before high similar to mine.” GRADUATION school. His team lost every Indeed, Holden said, his To donate, be a mentor of apply, visit game during his eighth- boyhood’s north St. Louis ColumbusScholars.org. single mother in a rough the now-closed Marshall grade season as captain of neighborhood “is consid- FIRST COLUMBUS SCHOLARS TO GRADUATE neighborhood, where , but he the Blackmon Road bas- ered one of the worst “extraordinary things chose to attend Blackmon ketball team. urban ghettos in America. Six of the seven original Columbus Scholars, who were happen,” said Jordan Vo- Road Middle School, “Don’t ever give up,” he I went to college on a selected as fifth-graders out of 35 applicants, have cational High School se- which was closer to the said. “… Quitting was scholarship from the St. completed the requirements to graduate from high nior Royale Lampley, he home of his mentor, form- never an option for me.” Louis Post-Dispatch. The school and receive between $2,000 and $3,000 per year has stayed out of trouble er Ledger-Enquirer exec- Royale could say the leading black journalist at for four years of college after the program’s initial by “going in the house utive editor Ben Holden same for his pursuit of his the Post was George E. investment of $7,500 for them. Here are their names, the early and going to school (2004-10), founding diploma. He decided to Curry, who died last Au- Muscogee County schools they attended and the college the next day.” chairman of Columbus not play his sophomore gust and was my mentor. they will attend: Royale earned an A Scholars. MCSD provided year so he would have This experience is the average at Davis Ele- only one year of bus trans- more time to study, espe- inspiration for Columbus A David Crall, J. D. Davis Elementary School, Marshall mentary School, where he portation, so Holden, his cially for Advanced Place- Scholars.” Middle School, Jordan Vocational High School, Columbus felt different from his wife, attorney Melanie ment classes. Smith, who said she State University. neighborhood buddies. Slaton, and others helped Asked how he would hasn’t worked outside her Columbus Scholars al- Royale’s mother take turns have reacted if someone home for a year while A Jha’Meisheia Griffin, Hannan Magnet Academy, Arnold lowed him to continue driving him. told him, before he came receiving workman’s com- Magnet Academy, Columbus High School, Georgia State pursuing academic excel- “People left work early to Jordan, that he would pensation, sees Holden University. lence and feel accepted at or got to work late because prioritize academics over more like a big brother or A Rawlanda Hercules, Clubview Elementary School, the same time. “That of me,” Royale said, “so athletics, Royale said, “I father for her son than a Richards Middle School, Hardaway High School, made a bigger picture. … the only way I could pay would have laughed at mentor. Wesleyan University. Basically, if I stay on track, them back was to not fail you.” “Ben stood in the gap success will be at the at Blackmon.” He rejoined the team as when I couldn’t be there A Royale Lampley, J. D. Davis Elementary School, end.” Sending her son across a junior and was co-cap- or my brother or anybody Blackmon Road Middle School, Jordan Vocational High His four older siblings town to Blackmon Road tain as a senior – and he’s else or his two brothers,” School, Columbus State University. graduated from Jordan, was important to Cas- on track to graduate with a she said. “To me, Ben has but only one of them at- saundra Hudson Smith for 3.2 grade-point average. spent more time with A Quandre Lewis, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary tended college, so he in- another reason: The Graduating from high Royale than his father, School, Arnold Magnet Academy, Columbus High School, tends to be the first to greater diversity showed school on time feels “un- and I just thank God for Georgia Southern University. earn a degree. him “this is a world of believable,” Royale said. the program. I thank God A Niki Stout, Reese Road Leadership Academy, Richards Columbus Scholars and many colors, not just black “… It hasn’t hit me yet.” for Ben, his family. Middle School, Columbus High School, Columbus State their parent or guardian and white,” she said. Anticipating the mo- “… He not only had the University. sign a commitment letter Royale was accepted ment he walks across the interest in Royale; he took that includes requirements into Columbus High, stage during the gradua- interest in all the (Colum- HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION SCHEDULE to remain in the program. MCSD’s lone total magnet tion ceremony, “It’s going bus Scholars), the boys May 21: Calvary Christian School, 3 p.m., CSU Lumpkin Among them: stay a resi- school for grades 9-12 and to feel like Step 1 is com- and the girls,” Smith said. Center. dent of Columbus; contin- tied for No. 1 in Georgia, plete, and I have more to “He’s just an awesome ue as a student in good according to the 2017 accomplish.” person. If I had a thousand May 24: Glenwood School, 8 p.m., Phenix City standing in the MCSD or rankings by U.S. News & Step 2 is earning a bach- times, I couldn’t thank Amphitheater. college; maintain a mini- World Report. But he elor’s degree at Columbus him enough.” mum grade-point average chose Jordan, his zoned State University, where he If it weren’t for Colum- May 25: Catapult Academy, 4 p.m., Columbus Civic of 3.0; attend weekly tu- school, because he felt plans to major in business. bus Scholars, she said, “I Center; Early College Academy, 6 p.m., Columbus Civic toring sessions if any more comfortable there. He wants to become direc- feel Royale would be sit- Center; Central High School, 7:30 p.m., Garrett-Harrison grade is below a C and “I’ve been around Jor- tor of the Columbus Parks ting here, but he wouldn’t Stadium; Russell County High School, 7:30 p.m., school’s until the grade is a B at the dan ever since my first and Recreation Depart- have the mindset that he stadium; Spencer High School, 8 p.m., Columbus Civic end of the marking period; sibling graduated,” he ment. He also wants to has. Ben showed him how Center. attend monthly enrich- said, “and all I knew was help fund and mentor the to be a productive young May 26: Northside High School, 4 p.m., Columbus Civic ment sessions, such as Jordan.” next generation of Colum- male in the fifth grade. He Center; Kendrick High School, 6:30 p.m., Columbus Civic educational or social field And now? bus Scholars “to give took him under his wings, Center; Chattahoochee County High School, 7 p.m., trips and guest speakers “The four years I’ve had back” to the community and he flew with him. He Panther Stadium; Grace Christian School, 7 p.m., Grace discussing life skills or here,” he said, “I wouldn’t that has supported him. put him in his nest. Now, Baptist Church; Hallie Turner Private School, 7 p.m., college preparation. redo them.” he’s given him the chance Hilton Terrace Baptist Church; Smiths Station High Royale, who needed the He cherishes the family IMPACT to get out there and soar School, 8 p.m., Panther Stadium; Columbus High School, tutoring only during his atmosphere. Holden “made a huge on his own.” 8:30 p.m., Columbus Civic Center. sophomore year after the “They’re always there impact on me,” Royale The toughest time Roy- first marking period, add- for you,” he said. “No said. “The way he guided ale gave his mother was May 27: Shaw High School, 9 a.m., Columbus Civic ed these requirements as matter what the situation me from when I was in getting tattoos. Center; Hardaway High School, 11:30 a.m., Columbus Civic well: “You can’t get arrest- is, they will try their best fifth grade until now, he “He’s stubborn like Center; Jordan Vocational High School, 2 p.m., Columbus ed or get anybody preg- to accommodate you on gives like a lecture about me,” Smith said. “Besides Civic Center; Carver High School, 4 p.m., Columbus Civic nant.” whatever problem you stupid people, what could Center.

He was zoned to attend have.” happen if you do this or SEE GRADUATION, 8A ...... 8A SUNDAY MAY212017 News LEDGER-ENQUIRER.COM

FROM PAGE 6A GRADUATION Story of rogue agent clouds the tattoos, I’ve never Border Patrol expansion been disappointed in him.” Holden also didn’t ap- prove of the tattoos, but he HE’S GOING TO BE the current one and asks offered this perspective: ‘‘ BY RON NIXON fewer questions. And leg- AGREAT MENTOR. “You know what? If that’s New York Times islation moving through the biggest problem we HE WANTS TO Congress would grant the have …” GIVE BACK TO THE BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS agency the authority to He didn’t finish his Joel Luna was just the waive the polygraph for sentence. But the smile he CITY. … I JUST SEE kind of job candidate the some former law enforce- shared with Royale and his GREAT THINGS IN Border Patrol covets. He ment officers and military mother made the message grew up on both sides of veterans. clear. MY SON’S FUTURE. the border, in Mexico and Top officials said the “He’s an awesome South Texas. He partici- changes would allow the child,” Smith said of her Cassaundra Hudson pated in the Reserve Offi- agency, which is losing son. “He’s going to be a Smith cers’ Training Corps in agents faster than it can great mentor. He wants to high school and served in replace them, to compete give back to the city. … I the Army, seeing combat for qualified candidates just see great things in my He gushed about this com- in Iraq. with other law enforce- son’s future.” munity’s generosity. Luna joined the agency ment agencies more effec- “There are more people as part of a hiring surge DOUG MILLSNew York Times tively without sacrificing MENTORING who believe they are their under the George W. Bush U.S. Border Patrol agents listen to President Donald standards. Applicants Royale and Holden got brother’s keep here than administration, patrolling Trump at the Department of Homeland Security in would still undergo a together frequently until any place I’ve ever lived a rural area about 100 Washington in January. background check in addi- Holden left the Ledger- in,” Holden said. miles north of Mexico. But tion to the shorter po- Enquirer in May 2010, six years later, his deco- lygraph test, officials said. when he became director MOTIVATION rated career came to a Agency officials, some the agency would simply “No one wants corrupt of the Reynolds National Columbus Scholars is shocking end: He was members of Congress and waive it. agents inside the Border Center for Courts & Media Holden’s attempt to an- arrested and charged with the Border Patrol union “CBP has a big problem Patrol,” said Jayson Ah- at the University of Neva- swer this nagging question helping send illegal weap- say the current process in not being able to hire ern, a former acting com- da, Reno. Now, he teaches he asked: ons to Mexico and ship has made it too hard to agents because of the missioner of Customs and media law at the Uni- “Why is it that it’s al- drugs into the United hire agents. It typically polygraph test,” said Sen. Border Protection. “What versity of Illinois and is a most impossible in Amer- States. He was convicted takes more than a year to Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who CBP is proposing is a sen- visiting faculty member at ica, in a place where in January and sentenced vet candidates and get has sponsored the legisla- sible way to weed out the National Judicial Col- you’re supposed to have a to 20 years in prison. them on the job. tion to make hiring agents corruption but speed up lege in Reno. But he still meritocracy, that kids Now, as President Don- At the center of this easier and faster. “I’m not the hiring.” regularly returns home on don’t go from being in- ald Trump plans a similar notoriously slow and strin- saying that we should get But some current and the weekends and stays credibly poor but smart to hiring surge at the Border gent process – which Cus- rid of the polygraph, but former Department of connected with Royale not just the middle class to Patrol, Luna’s case is cast- toms and Border Protec- we want to make sure the Homeland Security offi- during the weekdays, essentially what’s called ing a large shadow. The tion, the patrol’s parent process isn’t an overall cials said the proposed mostly via text messages. the upper-middle class, to president wants to make agency, put in place after a detriment to good candi- changes could expose the Their activities have rang- having advanced degrees, 5,000 new hires, under a number of corruption dates.” agency to corrupt individ- ed from the glitz of going to having enough re- streamlined process that cases – is a mandatory Three weeks ago, the uals who could use their to Atlanta Hawks games to sources to fly around the critics fear could open a polygraph test. Officials agency began using a position to help drug car- the grit of playing basket- world if they feel like it, to door to other rogue agents are considering changing different lie detector test tels or human smugglers. ball against each other. drive any car they want, like Luna. the test, and in some cases that takes less time than Both expect their rela- eat any meal they want. tionship to continue while Why do you not have so- Royale is in college. cial class mobility? “I’m going to help Roy- “And the answer is ale as long as he wants my there’s no structure, and help,” Holden said. “We my structure was the Pu- have white kids (in Colum- litzer family in St. Louis bus Scholars), so this isn’t put me through college, a race program, but I know paid for me to go to Miz- what it’s like to be a young zou, and then I had a se- black man, and I had lots ries of mentors.” of people who helped me. So the program’s pur- … So I’m going to help him pose, Holden said, is to not because I’m such a help students “succeed to nice guy but because I the limit of their ability don’t think I have a and not be limited by the choice. It’s kind of my accident or the fortuity of duty.” how much money a parent In fact, Holden said, he or an uncle or an auntie canceled his trip to join his happens to have.” wife’s family reunion in Holden’s father was a California so he can attend sharecropper in Mississip- Royale’s graduation. “I’m pi until age 37, when he going to be as proud as if moved to St. Louis and he’s my son,” he said. became a brake shoe mak- Jordan principal Amy er and a janitor. He was 50 Wohler is impressed with when Holden was born. Royale for being “some- Holden’s older brother, body who is prepared and Percy, was a 45-year-old is preparing to be a mentor principal of an elementary himself.” school in Dallas when he Wohler notices Royale died from a heart attack – “constantly separating eight hours after their himself” from potential mother died Oct. 6, 2008. trouble. “He makes a Holden vowed on his conscious effort to not be a birthday the following part of whatever inappro- year, “We need to stop priate behavior might be talking about Columbus going on,” she said. “He’s Scholars and start doing going to walk away. And it.” that’s not easy to do.” Then, lo and behold, the Columbus Scholar he ends MONEY up mentoring has the Columbus Scholars same birth date as his invests, through the Com- deceased brother. munity Foundation of the “I couldn’t believe it,” Chattahoochee Valley, Holden said. $7,500 for each student selected in the fifth grade. EPILOGUE The scholarship is estimat- Holden recently paid ed to produce $2,000 to Royale and a friend to $3,000 per child per four clean his home office. years of college, Holden They found a photo of said. “We’re really careful, Royale posing at the Davis because the stock market Elementary “prom” seven fluctuates,” he said. years ago. On the back is a In total, 66 Columbus thank-you note, written by Scholars are in the pro- Royale’s mother on his gram now. Over eight behalf, with these words: years, with seven in the “Thanks for all you have first class and 10 in each of done and the impact you the following seven years, have had on me, maturing 11 of the 77 inducted stu- me to be a more responsible dents have left the pro- young man. Love you.” gram. Approximately three That rediscovered photo were removed because was on Holden’s kitchen they weren’t meeting the counter Friday morning, requirements, Holden and he brought it to the said, and the rest dropped interview with the Ledger- out of Columbus Scholars Enquirer at Jordan. or moved out of town. Royale looked at the The program has grown photo and said, “When I “beyond my expecta- was little, I wouldn’t smile tions,” Holden said. “I that much. I was mean- thought we would have mugging … But I feel like three or four kids every I’ve done everything right year and we’d have half since ... and I did it the the money we’ve raised, right way.” maybe a third of it.” Donations and interest Mark Rice: 706-576-6272, on those investments have @markricele amounted to more than $600,000, Holden said.