Suspect sentenced in 2022 murder of Augusta security guard

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A suspect in the 2022 murder of an overnight security guard was sentenced this week, according to officials.

Richmond County Superior Court Judge John Flythe sentenced Cornell Thomas to life in prison for murder with the possibility of parole. Thomas is eligible for parole in 30 years.

Officials say if the parole board decides to release him after 30 years, he will be on probation for the remainder of his life.

Judge Flythe also banished Thomas from all counties in Georgia except Fulton County.

On August 25, 2022, members of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office criminal investigation division and crime suppression team along with the U.S. Marshal’s Southeast Regional Task Force arrested Thomas without incident in the 2300 block of Mims Road.

Thomas was arrested in connection to the shooting death of Cynthia Wright, whose body was found early on August 23 at 1150 Fifth St.

That’s the site of the distribution center for Union Agener Animal Health, which makes a product that increases milk production in cows.

Wright’s family said she has four grown children and five grandchildren.

She worked nights and into the morning, and they believe she was shot the night before her body was found around 6 a.m.

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