Savannah Man Sentenced To Fifteen Years for Possession of a Handgun

SAVANNAH, GA: Savannah resident Ernest Jackson, 36, was sentenced on March 12, 2018, by Senior District Court Judge William T. Moore, Jr., for his role in a counterfeiting scheme spanning Chatham, Bryan, Bulloch, and McIntosh Counties, as well as for his possession of a firearm.  Judge Moore awarded Jackson 60 months’ confinement for the counterfeiting offense, and a concurrent term of 180 months’ confinement for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

Evidence during the sentencing hearing emphasized that Jackson possessed the firearm at issue after earning multiple felony convictions for Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Carjacking, and Aggravated Assault upon a Police Officer.  Jackson’s violent criminal history placed him in the category of an “Armed Career Criminal,” which designation requires a mandatory minimum 15-year term of confinement.  Additionally, ballistics testing linked Jackson’s firearm to multiple unsolved Savannah-area shootings.

The case was investigated and prosecuted with assistance from the United States Secret Service, the Savannah Police Department, the Richmond Hill Police Department, the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol.

Glen Kessler, the Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service said, “The U.S. Secret Service, with its local and state partners, will continue to work  towards protecting our communities from gun violence by aggressively targeting those gun carrying felons that come onto our radar for criminal offenses like counterfeiting, credit card fraud or other federal violations.”

United States Attorney Bobby Christine said, “Law enforcement’s top priority is the safety of our citizens.  We will bring the full force of justice on dangerous criminals who possess firearms.  Those dangerous felons who possess firearms will be investigated, prosecuted, and can expect to serve lengthy sentences in federal prison.”

Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer G. Solari prosecuted the case against Jackson for the United States.  For any questions, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office at (912) 652-4422.