Gun Crime Is Fed Time in Savannah

Savannah, GA – Two convicted felons, both from Savannah, Georgia, were sentenced earlier this week to lengthy federal prison sentences for possessing firearms. 

Alan Stanton, a/k/a “Lucky,” 31, was sentenced on March 16, 2016 by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood to 96 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.  According to evidence presented during Stanton’s guilty plea and sentencing hearings, in May, 2015, Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department (SCMPD) officers arrested Stanton, a known member and leader of the Ghost Face Gangsters (a white supremacy gang), after Stanton pointed a pistol at a civilian during a “road rage” incident.  The police timely responded to the incident and found the pistol hidden in a speaker box.  As a convicted felon, Stanton was prohibited from possessing firearms.  Stanton’s criminal history included over 12 convictions on drug charges, theft charges, driving charges, domestic violence charges, and multiple drug trafficking charges.  Judge Wood ordered Stanton’s 96 month federal sentence to run consecutive to his 10 year state sentence.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Upon Stanton’s release from state and federal prisons, he will serve a period of court supervision for 5 years under the state system and 3 years under the federal system.

Laron Allen, 28, of Savannah, Georgia, was sentenced on March 16, 2016 by U.S. District Court Judge William T. Moore, Jr. to also serve 96 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.  According to the evidence presented during Allen’s guilty plea and sentencing hearings, in January of 2015, SCMPD investigators arrested Allen, who had seven outstanding warrants for his arrest.  Investigators observed Allen exit a convenience store located on Augusta Road, in Savannah, and immediately took him into custody.  Investigators found Allen in possession of a loaded, stolen, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol; an extra magazine loaded with ammunition in his pocket; and, a quantity of crack cocaine and marijuana.  Allen’s criminal history dates back 14 years, with over 10 convictions on violent crime charges, obstruction of justice charges, and drug trafficking charges.  Judge Moore ordered that Allen’s 96 month sentence run consecutive to his other state charges.  Upon Allen’s release from state and federal prisons, he will be on a lengthy period of state and federal supervision.

U.S. Attorney Edward J. Tarver stated, “Violent gun crime incidents in Savannah have increased at an alarming rate.  This United States Attorney’s Office and its federal partners will work closely with the Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police and other local law enforcement officials to stem the surge of violent crime in Savannah.  Felons and career offenders are on notice that gun crime, even possessing a pistol, a rifle, or even one bullet will land them in a federal prison.  Gun crime is fed time.” 

These cases were brought to federal court as part of Project Ceasefire, a joint federal, state and local firearms initiative addressing gun crime in Savannah and throughout the Southern District of Georgia.  Both cases were investigated by SCMPD and the ATF.  Assistant United States Attorney E. Gregory Gilluly prosecuted the cases on behalf of the United States. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.