## The Trial and Federal Conviction Rick Tokars was charged under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, which allowed prosecutors to tie the murder to his broader pattern of criminal conduct, including drug trafficking and money laundering. The federal charges were significant because they carried the possibility of a life sentence without parole, even without seeking the death penalty. Eddie Lawrence, the middleman who arranged the murder, cooperated with prosecutors and provided testimony against Tokars. Curtis Rower, the triggerman, was convicted separately and also received a life sentence. Lawrence received a reduced sentence in exchange for his cooperation. Rick Tokars was ultimately convicted on multiple federal charges, including racketeering, money laundering, and conspiracy related to the murder of his wife. The judge sentenced him to life in federal prison without the possibility of parole, ensuring he would never be released.
## Life in Federal Prison Following his conviction, Rick Tokars was placed in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Federal inmates serving life sentences without parole have no eligibility for parole hearings and extremely limited options for sentence reduction. The Bureau of Prisons assigns inmates to facilities based on security classification, criminal history, and other factors. Tokars has remained incarcerated for decades. Federal inmates can be located through the Bureau of Prisons inmate locator, an online tool that allows the public to search for current and former federal inmates by name or register number. This tool provides basic information including the facility where an inmate is housed, their projected release date (if applicable), and their age. ## The Impact on the Tokars Children
One of the most tragic aspects of the case was the impact on Rick and Sara's two young sons, who witnessed their mother's murder. The boys were raised by Sara's family after the killing. The case became a landmark example of domestic violence intersecting with organized criminal activity, and it prompted broader discussions about protecting family members who discover spousal criminal behavior. ## How to Find Related Records and Obituary Information For those researching the Sara Tokars case or looking for obituary information related to individuals connected to the case, several resources may be helpful. Obituary databases allow users to search by partial or full name, and listings can often be browsed by month or filtered by the first letter of the last name. Individual obituary pages may contain service information, tribute options, and memorial flower links. However, the availability of older records is not guaranteed, particularly for cases dating back several decades. Court records from the federal trial are available through the federal court system's public access portals. News archives from major Atlanta-area publications also contain extensive coverage of the investigation, trial, and sentencing.
## Legacy of the Case The Rick Tokars case remains one of the most notorious murder-for-hire cases in Georgia history. It exposed corruption within the legal community and highlighted how individuals in positions of public trust can exploit their authority for criminal purposes. The case has been featured in numerous true crime documentaries, books, and television programs over the years. Sara Tokars's murder and the subsequent prosecution of her husband also contributed to increased awareness of the dangers faced by spouses who uncover criminal activity within their households. Law enforcement agencies have cited the case in training materials related to domestic violence and organized crime investigations. Rick Tokars continues to serve his life sentence in federal prison with no possibility of release.
