Augusta Resident Receives 10 Years In Prison For Possessing A Firearm As A Felon

Augusta, GA: Marco Charles Gilbert, 29, of Augusta, Georgia, was sentenced last week by United States District Court Judge J. Randal Hall to 10 years in prison for possessing a firearm as a felon.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Gilbert pled guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Felon in March 2015.

Evidence presented during Gilbert’s guilty plea and sentencing hearings revealed that on July 8, 2014, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) received information about drug activity at the Ridgewood Apartments on Wheeler Road.  When officers responded they found Gilbert seated in his car, and observed items in the car indicative of drug sales.  After a K9 unit alerted to Gilbert’s car, officers searched the car and found marijuana, scales, over $1,800 in cash, and a loaded firearm.  Gilbert had a number of prior drug-related convictions.

Gilbert’s case was prosecuted as part of Project Ceasefire, a joint firearms initiative of the U. S. Attorney’s Office, the ATF, the local District Attorney’s office and local and state law enforcement agencies.  United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver stated that “the purpose of Project Ceasefire is to federally prosecute certain persons in possession of a gun.  A person can be federally prosecuted for possessing a gun if they are a convicted felon, a drug dealer, an illegal alien, a fugitive, someone under indictment or someone who has committed a federal crime of violence.”   Mr. Tarver commends the cooperative effort between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to combat gun crime by targeting violent felons and drug dealers who illegally possess firearms.

Gilbert’s case was investigated by the RCSO and the ATF.  Assistant United States Attorney Nancy C. Greenwood prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.  For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201‑2547.