Georgia’s Runaway Bride Indicted

Jennifer Wilbanks, Georgia’s runaway bride, was indicted Wednesday on charges of making false statements to police and could face a maximum sentence of six years in prison.

Wilbanks, 32, triggered a nationwide search when she vanished April 26, four days before her extravagant wedding was to take place.

She surfaced in Albuquerque on what would have been her wedding day, initially telling investigators that she had been abducted and sexually assaulted.

She recanted her story after questioning by FBI agents.

Dist. Atty. Danny Porter of Gwinnett County, Ga., said during a morning news conference that a grand jury had decided to bring two charges against Wilbanks: one felony count of making a false statement, which carries a maximum sentence of five years, and one misdemeanor charge of falsely reporting a crime, which carries a term of as much as one year. The charges also carry fines of as much as $11,000.

“You just can’t lie to the police,” Porter said, adding that coming clean does not excuse Wilbanks’ crime. “That would be like stealing something and then putting it back. It doesn’t help you.”

A bench warrant had been issued for Wilbanks’ arrest, but Porter said he expected the details to be worked out with her lawyer.

Since returning to Georgia, Wilbanks has not spoken publicly about her decision to flee on a bus to Las Vegas and then Albuquerque.

Her father’s pastor, the Rev. Thomas Smiley, read a statement this month in which she explained that her decision to run away had resulted from “a host of compelling issues, which seemed out of control.”

Two weeks ago, Sammy Smith, a church spokesman, said Wilbanks had checked herself into an inpatient medical treatment program to deal with “physical and mental issues.”

Wilbanks’ disappearance sparked a massive search, and many in Duluth reacted with bitterness when they learned of her deception. Since then, residents have said they would like to see Wilbanks reimburse the town or perform community service. On Wednesday, some here said they had mixed feelings about the criminal charges.

“I don’t agree with what she did,” said Jennifer Almond, 37, “but if she really is sick or has some illness, I have some compassion for her.”

Brett Deaton, 22, said he thought Wilbanks deserved jail time. “What are you supposed to do?” he asked. “Look her in the eye and slap her on the wrist? She committed a crime. I feel sorry for her, but she should pay.”

An estimated $50,000 was spent in the search for Wilbanks. Her lawyer, Lydia Sartain, has been in negotiations with Duluth officials to reimburse the city for a portion of its expenses -- about $43,000.

Mayor Shirley Lassiter said she had expected to sign an agreement on Tuesday under which Wilbanks would pay the city about $13,250, and Duluth would write off the remaining amount.

“We really thought it would be a done deal today,” Lassiter said, “but we have no idea where Sartain is.”

A call to Sartain’s office was not returned.

Lassiter said she was shocked that Wilbanks would face both felony and misdemeanor charges.

“I didn’t think they were considering both of them,” the mayor said. “I suppose that will give the county more leverage, but I don’t think six years of prison is going to help this lady at all.”

Larry Hogan, a neighbor of Wilbanks’ fiance, John Mason, said he couldn’t help feeling a little sorry for the runaway bride.

“I think she got into something way too big for her to handle,” said Hogan, 55. “If it cost the city a lot of money, she should pay, but jail is too harsh.”