Burglary charges have been dropped against one of the four men who earlier this year settled a lawsuit that alleged charges of sexual misconduct by New Birth Missionary Baptist Church lead Rev. Eddie Long.
DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James ordered the charges against Anthony Boyd be dropped Sept. 19 after receiving a letter from Long.
Boyd had been employed as a security guard at New Birth and was charged with burglary in connection with the June 2010 theft of nearly $100,000 in electronics and jewelry from Long’s office at the church. All of Long’s personal items have been recovered and returned to him.
Both Boyd and Maurice Robinson, who has also settled a sexual misconduct suit against Long, were charged with burglary. Robinson chose to enter a pre-trial diversion program in exchange for the charges being dropped.
Long had written a letter to James on Aug. 26 asking that the charges against Boyd be dropped.
“Mr. Boyd maintains that he is innocent of the charges and has only wanted the opportunity to clear his name. I can honestly say that I don’t want to see this young man end up in the criminal justice system. I believe he is making great strides in trying to do the right thing for his family and my prayers go out to him as he seeks to be a man of good character … I am hopeful that you will honor my request to drop the charges against Mr. Boyd,” the letter states.
New Birth announced on May 26 that Long had settled the sexual misconduct lawsuits against four men. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.