Athens Resident Pleads Guilty To Possessing A Firearm In Furtherance Of Drug Trafficking

ATHENS: Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that Jamarcus Huff, age 29, of Athens, Georgia, pled guilty on October 2, 2018 to Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime before U.S. District Court Judge Hugh Lawson in Athens, Georgia.

In entering his plea, Mr. Huff admitted that officers with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD) executed a search warrant at his house after a confidential informant had bought drugs there on multiple occasions.  Inside the house, ACCPD officers found crack cocaine, and a loaded Ruger, 9mm handgun.  Mr. Huff waived his Miranda rights and admitted to selling crack cocaine.  He later admitted to possessing the handgun in furtherance of drug trafficking. 

Mr. Huff faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than five (5) years and not more than life in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000.00, or both, and a term of supervised release of five (5) years.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.  In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

The case was investigated by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Leary is prosecuting the case for the United States.                                               

Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.