Multiple defendants prosecuted on federal firearms, drug charges

SAVANNAH, GA: Newly returned indictments in the Southern District of Georgia include felony charges for illegal firearms possession and drug distribution, while additional defendants have been sentenced to federal prison or await further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal gun charges. 

“In addition to taking guns out of the hands of convicted felons, these cases also demonstrate the increased danger posed by the growing number of illegal machine guns on the streets,” said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to identify and remove these illegal weapons from our communities.”  

The cases are prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI, to reduce violent crime with measures that include targeting convicted felons who illegally possess guns.

Those indicted during the May term of the U.S. District Court Grand Jury include:

• Jordan Richardson, 24, of Savannah, charged with Interference with Commerce by Robbery, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Possession and Discharge of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence;
• Tavare Vashawne Ragin, 43, of Columbus, Ga., and Wesley Earl Wilson, 33, of Thomson, Ga., both charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Ragin also is charged with Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime;
• Malik Havier McKenzie, 26, of Savannah, charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Cocaine, Carfentanyl, and Methamphetamine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; Possession of a Machine Gun; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
• Duane B. Smith, 50, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
• Anthony McQuarters, 31, of Hardeeville, S.C., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession of Stolen Firearms. McQuarters was arrested on state charges following a chase on I-16 by multiple law enforcement agencies through Laurens, Treutlen, Emanuel and Candler counties;
• Kenyatta Dunn Nero, 40, of Augusta, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
• Barry Christopher Carpenter, 43, of Gainesville, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Carpenter was arrested on state charges in Columbia County during a burglary investigation;
• Brodrick Kyle Merritt, 42, of Augusta, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
• Antuane Farmer, 37, of Hinesville, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
• James Allen Ponder, 47, of Sylvania, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
• Andrey Denorris Blockett, 37, of Augusta, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; and,
• Deleon Alexander Jackson, 23, of Augusta, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

All indicted defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendants recently adjudicated on federal firearms charges include:

• Jamell Williams, 44, of Savannah, was sentenced to 80 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police officers investigating reports of shots fired near a motel determined Williams was in possession of a rifle.
• Akeem Ajmia Lanier, 36, of Metter, Ga., was sentenced to 77 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Metter police officers found a pistol in Lanier’s vehicle during a traffic stop.
• Wilbur Zaccaeus Hightower, 24, of Blackshear, Ga., was sentenced to 72 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Marijuana, and Possession of a Machinegun. Pierce County sheriff’s deputies found a pistol and drugs in Hightower’s vehicle after an attempted traffic  stop ended with Hightower striking a police vehicle and crashing. ATF agents determined the Glock 9mm pistol in Hightower’s possession was fitted with a device designed to render it fully automatic.
• Tommy Cowart, 60, of Statesboro, Ga., was sentenced to 66 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Bulloch County deputies arrested Cowart after finding a rifle in his car during a traffic stop.
• Zytavious Beck, 26, of Dublin, Ga., was sentenced to 68 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Dublin police arrested Beck while investigating an armed altercation at a housing development and finding Beck in possession of a pistol. 
• Darrell Lamar Williams, 25, of Claxton, Ga., was sentenced to 64 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon. Georgia State Patrol troopers arrested Williams after a traffic stop and found him in possession of ammunition.
• Zachary Smith, 26, of Savannah, was sentenced to 45 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
• Christopher David Baskett, 46, of Augusta, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and fined $1,000 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County sheriff’s deputies arrested Baskett while investigating reports of gunfire in downtown Augusta and a pistol in Baskett’s vehicle.
• Jodarrius Vaughner, 20, of Wrens, Ga., was sentenced to 24 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun. Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies and Wrens police officers arrested Vaughner on a felony warrant from Richmond County. Vaughner had in his possession a Glock pistol fitted with a device that converted it to fully automatic. Vaughner also is under indictment on state charges including murder and aggravated assault.
• Hunter W. Taylor, 26, of Hephzibah, Ga., was sentenced to 40 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County deputies investigating reports of gunfire arrested Taylor after determining he possessed a rifle.  
• Kavon Smalls, 29, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police found a pistol after chasing Smalls when he ran away from a vehicle that crashed during an attempted traffic stop.
• Benjamin Priester, 56, of Pooler, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Stolen Firearm. Savannah police officers found a pistol in Priester’s possession during a traffic stop and later determined Priester knew the gun had been stolen.
• Daveon Daniels, 25, of Grovetown, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun. Columbia County sheriff’s deputies were investigating the accidental fatal shooting of a 4-year-old girl when they determined the gun belonged to Daniels, and that it was equipped with a “Glock switch” to convert it to fully automatic fire. 
• Phillip Smith, 49, of Augusta, and Brian Hilliard, 40, of Augusta, both await sentencing after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Seven co-defendants, including Edward Jake Walters, 29, of Grovetown; Glen Taylor, 45, of Beech Island, S.C.; Dustin Bayles, 36, and Joshua Wasden, 36, both of Thomson, Ga.; Linda Campbell, 53, of Augusta; Gary Holcomb, 59, of Martinez; and Destiny Poole, 23, of Grovetown, await sentencing after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Methamphetamine. All were charged in USA v. Walters et al., an indictment alleging an Augusta-area drug trafficking conspiracy. A tenth defendant, Donnie Skillman, 46, of Augusta, awaits further proceedings and is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The cases are being prosecuted for the United States by the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Under federal law, it is illegal for an individual to possess a firearm if he or she falls into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon; illegal alien; or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to purchase – firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, also is a federal offense. 

For more information from the ATF on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atfw-form-4473

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