Savannah Standard

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.

“As illegally possessed firearms proliferate in our community, our office continues to hold accountable those who threaten the safety of our neighborhoods,” said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “We commend the efforts of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in investigating these criminal activities.”

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 in September include:

- Daniel Blount Cates, 50, of Waynesboro, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and two counts of Possession of an Unregistered Firearm.

- Ray Charles Canady III, 51, of Augusta, charged with Interference with Commerce by Robbery; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

- Willie James Norton, 36, of Baxley, Ga., charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 or More Grams of Methamphetamine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

- Phillip Moore, 29, of Savannah: charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

- Scottie Eugene Bryant: 48: Grovetown: charged with Possession-of-a-Firearm-by-a-Convicted-Felon

- Jack Anthony Bragg: 44: Statesboro-Ga.:charged-with-Possession-of-a-Firearm-by-a-Convicted-Felon

- Jacorey D. Lockett:30:SAVANNAH:charged-with-Possession-of-a-Firearm-by-a-Convicted-Felon

Also previously indicted:

Daniel Jamal Robertson:33-Brooklet-Ga.-charged-with-Possession-with-intent-to-distribute-controlled-substances-referring-to-an-isomer-of-Ephylone-also-known-as-bath-salts;-Possessioin-of-a-fiream-in-furtherance-of-drug-trafficking-crime;-and-possession-of-fiream-by-convicted-felon;

All indicted defendants are considered innocent unless proven guilty.

Defendants recently adjudicated on federal firearms charges include:

Arthur Eugene Cannon:41-Savannah-sentenced-to120-months-prison-and-fined-$1k-after-guilty-possession-stolen-fiream-Savannah-Chatham-Counter-Narcotics-Team-investigators-determined-Cannon-illegally possessed-stolen-pistol-discovered-during-drug-trafficking-investigation-co-defendant Thomas Allen Gordon -56-Savannah-sentenced-to70-months-prison-and-fined-$1500-after-guilty-possession-methamphetamine-and-fentanyl-intent-distribute;

Daquan Minor:32-Savannah-sentenced-to120-months-prison-after-guilty-possession-stolen-fiream-savannah-police-officers-found-stolen-pistol-minor’s vehicle-during traffic-stop-Minor-previously-convicted-felony-offenses-including-illegal-gun-possession-drug-trafficking;

Marqus Jamal Flanders -38-Brunswick-sentenced-to112-months-prison-after-guilty-possession-fiream-convicted-felon-February2023-Glynn County-police-found-pistol-flanders’possession-attempted traffic-stop-led-motorcycle-foot-chase-flanders-probation-state felony-charges-time-arrest;

Daveon Daniels -25-Grovetown-Ga.-sentenced-to46-months-prison-and fined-$1500-after-guilty-illegal possession-machine gun-Columbia County sheriff’s-deputies-investigating-homicide-determined-Daniels possessed firearm-equipped-“Glock switch”-convert fully automatic fire;

Zanuck Lorenzo Berry -43-Martinez-Ga.-sentenced-to87-months-prison-and fined-$1500-after-guilty-possession-fiream-convicted felon-drug-enforcement-administration-agents-searched-Berry’s-home-January2023-part-drug trafficking investigation-found-assault-style-rifle-two semiautomatic “ghost gun” pistols-third-handgun-shotgun;

Jamario D. Owens -24-Savannah-sentenced-to49-months-prison-after-guilty-possession-fiream-convicted felon-savannah-police officers found Owens possession-handgun-investigating-reported-disturbance;

Phillip Smith -49-Augusta-sentenced-to156 months prison-and fined-$2500,-Brian Hilliard,-40-Augusta,-sentenced108 months prison-and fined $1500-both pled guilty-Conspiracy-Possess intent distribute distribute methamphetamine,-Possessioin fiream convicted felon,-Glen Taylor,-45-Beech Island S.C., sentenced37 months prison fined $1500-Joshua Wasden,-36-Thomson Ga., sentenced120 months prison fined $2000 both pled guilty conspiracy charge-five co-defendants including Edward Jake Walters,-29-Grovetown-Dustin Bayles,-36-Thomson Ga.-Linda Campbell53-Augusta Gary Holcomb59 Martinez Destiny Poole23 Grovetown await sentencing after pleading guilty drug conspiracy charge all were charged USA v Walters et al indictment alleging Augusta-area drug trafficking conspiracy tenth defendant Donnie Skillman46 Augusta awaits further proceedings considered innocent unless proven guilty

Unique Haynes26 Jacksonville Fla sentenced120 months prison after pleading guilty Conspiracy-Possess intent distribute distribute methamphetamine cocaine fentanyl possessioin fiream convicted felon co-defendant Eric Massey29 also Jacksonville sentenced48 months prison after pleading guilty Illegal Use Communication Facility Haynes Massey were charged Augusta following investigation Drug Enforcement Administration Richmond County Sheriff’s Office assistance Georgia State Patrol

Benjamin Priester56 Pooler Ga sentenced92 months prison after pleading guilty possession stolen fiream Savannah police officers found pistol Priester’s possession during traffic stop later determined Priester knew gun had been stolen

Robert Antonio Green26 Savannah sentenced60 months prison fined$1500 after pleading guilty possession fiream convicted felon probation officer Georgia Department Community Supervision found handgun Green’s possession during meeting Green

Michael Jerome Germany50 Grovetown Ga sentenced37 months prison fined$1000 after pleading guilty possession fiream convicted felon Grovetown police officers found pistol Germany’s vehicle during traffic stop

Jarrett Lamar Knight45 Savannah sentenced15 months prison after pleading guilty possession fiream convicted felon described plea agreement Knight was convicted felon when sold shotgun confidential informant during ATF investigation

Thomas J Fazio II41 Grovetown Ga sentenced five years probation fined$2500 after pleading guilty possession unregistered firearm May2023 Homeland Security Investigations Customs Border Protection intercepted suspected firearms silencers being shipped Fazio US Army Staff Sergeant During search Fazio residence investigators found unregistered firearm silencer

David Kreiss49 Twin City Ga awaits sentencing after pleading guilty possession firearms convicted felon Twin City police found Kreiss possession rifle four shotguns while investigating domestic disturbance

Andrey Denorris Blockett37 Augusta awaits sentencing after pleading guilty possessioin firearm convicted felon Georgia State Patrol troopers found Blockett possesioin pistol loaded high-capacity magazine Blockett fled off-road vehicle from vehicle license check

Lial Stephens28 Pooler Ga awaits sentencing after pleaded guilt two counts interference commerce robbery Stephens pointed pistol Garden City convenience store clerk during robberies September November2023

Richard Bruce Salyer Jr49 Forsyth Ga awaits sentencing pleaded guilt possessioin firearm convicted felon Chatham County police officers found pistol Salyer waistband while investigating report stolen vehicle November2023 Salyer has two prior convictions illegally possessing firearms time arrest escapee Jefferson County Correctional Institute

Anthony Orlando Jones34 Augusta awaits sentencing pleaded guilt possessioin firearm convicted fel Richmond County deputies US Marshals found Jones possesioin semiautomatic pistol November2023 serving arrest warrant state felony charge

Barry Christopher Carpenter43 Gainesville GA awaits sentencing pleaded guilt possessioin firearm convicted felony Carpenter arrested state charges Columbia County burglary investigation

Eddie Lee Tolbert39 Augusta awaits sentencing pleaded guilt possessioin firearm convictied felony Grovetown police found pistol Tolbert possesion during traffic stop

Deleon Alexander Jackson23 Augusta waits sentecing pleaded guilt possesoin firerm convictied fellony Richmond county deputies foung Jackson possetion rifle investigatin reported disturbece at August store

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 posses firearm if he or she falls into one nine prohibited categories including being fellony illigal alien unlawful user controlled substance Further it is unlawful to posses firerm furhterance drug trafficking offense violent crime It is also illigal purchase even attempt purchase firerms if buyer prohibited person illigal purchasing firerm behalf others Lying ATF Form4473 which used lawfully purchase firerm also fedral offense For more information from ATF lawful purchasing firerms please see https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atfw-form4473