2 convicted of kidnapping homeless man, dumping him into lake with weights so he would drown

ST. MARYS, Ga. (TCN) — Two men will spend the rest of their lives behind bars for kidnapping, torturing, and killing a 29-year-old homeless man in a remote area known locally as “Gilligan’s Island.”

The Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office announced April 16 that a jury found 56-year-old Frank Kennedy and 29-year-old Anthony Mistretta guilty of malice murder, kidnapping, and other related felony charges in connection with the death of John Mamph. A judge subsequently sentenced Mistretta and Kennedy to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

According to prosecutors, on July 5, 2023, the defendants beat and hog-tied Mamph near his homeless encampment before bringing him to a boat ramp, placing him in a boat, and taking him out on a lake. The defendants reportedly weighed the victim down with numerous weights while he was still tied up, and then they threw him into the lake to drown.

The following day, an individual found Mamph’s body while Jet Skiing with his family and called law enforcement. St. Marys Police responded to the area and initially arrested five suspects, including Kennedy and Mistretta, as well as Debra Dougherty, Megan Robison, and Bernice McGuire.

Prosecutors said prior to the trial, Dougherty pleaded guilty to felony murder and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years served. McGuire pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and hasn’t yet been sentenced. Robison originally lied to authorities about her knowledge of the incident, and she pleaded guilty to making a false statement. Robison received a sentence of five years of probation.

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