DeKalb Man Sentenced For Armed Robbery Of Woodstock Teens

WOODSTOCK, GA — A Stone Mountain resident was recently sentenced for charges related to an armed robbery of two Woodstock teens.

The incident occurred on Oct. 6, 2018, at a small park off River Glen Drive in Woodstock. That evening, Moses Albert Diamond, 19, and an unidentified co-conspirator used weapons to steal two Apple iPhones and a wallet from two teenagers, who were ordered to lay face down in the parking lot and told they’d be shot if they got up, Cherokee County District Attorney Shannon Wallace said.

Diamond and his accomplice fled the scene in a green minivan driven by Diamond’s sister, Chloe Castell. Cherokee Sheriff’s Office deputies tracked the minivan to a Kennesaw hotel and arrested both Diamond and Castell, Wallace said.

During the three-day trial in October, the state called seven witnesses to testify and presented evidence including social media images of Diamond holding a handgun that resembled the weapon used in the crime.

Wallace said the Cherokee County jury deliberated for two hours before finding Diamond guilty of all four counts, including two counts of armed robbery and two counts of aggravated assault.

“This defendant has no respect for the laws of Georgia," said Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Zachary H. Smith. "He involved his teenage sister in this senseless crime, then refused to identify his accomplice. And, during the trial, he tried to influence his sister’s testimony.”

At a hearing on Dec.19, Smith recommended a sentence of 20 years to serve 15.

Judge Ellen McElyea agreed with the state’s recommendation and said she hoped this sentence would deter others from committing similar crimes. McElyea also prohibited Diamond from having contact with Castell and any known gang member or associate.

“We’re pleased with the outcome of this trial and the sentence,” said Cherokee County District Attorney Shannon Wallace. “This recidivist offender came to an isolated park in Woodstock and used a handgun to commit armed robbery. Those teens will forever remember the horror of being forced to lie face down while being threatened with their lives.”

At a hearing in July, Castell pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery. Senior Judge John Sumner sentenced her to eight years, with the first 180 days to be served in confinement and the remainder on probation. She was ordered no contact with the victims and her co-defendant.