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Published October 18, 2022 @ 9:01 PM ET
Floyd County (September 27, 2022) – A Silver Creek man was sentenced to life in prison plus 5 years after a 2021 armed robbery incident. The incident started when the victim asked Tatiana Clifton to meet him to collect some belongings she left in his truck.
On November 1st, 2021 Branton Hughes and Clifton, his accomplice in the crime, showed up at the predetermined meeting spot, entered the passenger side of the victim’s truck, and struck the victim with the black pistol that Hughes was pointing at him, striking his right eye. Hughes demanded everything the victim had. The victim gave Hughes $90 cash and a pair of Nike tennis shoes before Hughes and Clifton fled the scene.
Hughes was sentenced to a life term plus five years by Floyd County Superior Court Judge John “Jack” Niedrach under Georgia’s recidivist statute. This law requires a judge to sentence a recidivist defendant (a defendant with a prior felony conviction) to the maximum term. Hughes had a long history of prior convictions including battery and obstruction, and other charges, and was sentenced on September 29th.
During the hearing, prosecutors played several phone calls where Hughes threatened his family, the prosecutor, and even the assistant district attorney “DA or not, you grass” Hughes repeated several times. Hughes maintains his innocence and his family claims he has undiagnosed mental health issues, doesn’t deal well with authority, and needs treatment versus imprisonment.
Hughes will be eligible for parole in 30 years.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers, discretion is advised.]
On Monday November 1, 2021, I officer Brummitt responded to the empty lot between the Dollar Tree and Maple food mart on Maple Ave in reference to an armed robbery.
Upon arrival I made contact with the victim, [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1] advised me he routinely has a female named Tatiana Clifton ride with him in his semi truck on his routes.
[VICTIM #1] advised her to come get her belongings from his truck because he was leaving. [VICTIM #1] collected her things and set them outside the truck for her to get because she was not there when he arrived. [VICTIM #1] stated Tatiana asked him to wait because she was on her way so he did.
A few moments later, Tatiana arrived along with an unknown white male and they entered the passenger side of his truck cab while he was in the driver seat. The white male pointed a black pistol at him and struck [VICTIM #1] above the right eye with the gun and demanded everything he had.
[VICTIM #1] gave the male a fifty dollar bill and 2 twenty dollar bills which were his his pocket. Tatiana and the male then left in a red camaro. [VICTIM #1] was unable to obtain the tag number.
The vehicle was not located at the time of report. Tatiana’s mothers address of [1800 BLOCK] High St was checked, however she was not there.
Nothing further at this time. No suspect information at this time for the white male.
[End of Narrative]