Savannah man sentenced to more than 8 years in prison for illegal possession of a firearm

SAVANNAH, Georgia: A previously convicted felon found in possession of a firearm faces years in prison after sentencing in federal court.

The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge R. Stan Baker and was announced by Margaret E. “Meg” Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. 

Baheem Frazier, 33, of Savannah, was sentenced to 105 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. 

There is no parole in the federal system. 

As described in court documents and testimony, Frazier was the subject of a traffic stop by Savannah Police (SPD) officers in February 2025. As officers attempted to stop the vehicle, Frazier immediately began to flee at a high rate of speed. As the defendant recklessly sped away, officers ceased the pursuit in concern for public safety. 

A short time later, police were notified of an abandoned vehicle matching the description of the defendant’s vehicle located on Waldburg St. with witnesses describing Frazier as the driver of the vehicle. Witnesses also reported that Frazier had exited the vehicle, discarded an object on a porch of a nearby home, and ran away. 

Officers arrived and began to process the scene, canvassed the area, and located a firearm, a Sig Sauer Model P320, 9 mm pistol, where Frazier was seen throwing an object. SPD contacted the registered owner of the vehicle who initially stated the vehicle was stolen but later recanted that statement and informed officers that her boyfriend, Frazier, was last known to have operated the vehicle. 

Investigators later determined through DNA analysis that Frazier was in possession of the firearm. Under federal law, it is prohibited for previously convicted felons to possess firearms or ammunition, and Frazier was previously convicted of various felony charges.

“This defendant showed a complete disregard for public safety when he chose to flee recklessly through our neighborhood streets knowing he illegally possessed a firearm,” said U.S. Attorney Heap. “By working closely with the community and utilizing advanced forensic tools, the ATF and Savannah Police Department ensured a dangerous weapon was recovered, and a repeat offender was brought to justice.” 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Savannah Police Department. 

“The recovery of this firearm and the use of DNA evidence were critical to securing justice in this case,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Brian Graves. “ATF is proud to work alongside the Savannah Police Department and our federal partners to remove illegal firearms from the hands of convicted felons.” 

This case was prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley R. Thompson and former AUSA Ryan Bondura.