Georgia Indicts, Sentences Individuals in Firearms and Drug Cases

In newly returned indictments in the Southern District of Georgia, several individuals are facing felony charges related to illegal firearms possession and drug distribution, while others have been sentenced or await further proceedings for federal gun charges.

Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, stated, “Illegally possessed firearms continue to present a challenge for law enforcement agencies, including the increasing threat from guns illegally modified for fully automatic fire. With our law enforcement partners, we will target these illegal weapons and remove them to make our streets safer.”

These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI, aimed at reducing violent crime, particularly by targeting convicted felons illegally possessing guns.

Among those indicted during the March term of the U.S. District Court Grand Jury are:

Jacorey Rivers, 32, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; Possession of a Machinegun; and Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 or More Grams of Fentanyl.
Christopher Michael Owens, a/k/a “Lambo,” 41, Robert Michael Waltz, a/k/a “Hurricane,” both of Hinesville, Ga., and Juan Carlos Rosado Morla, 27, of Gainesville, Ga., charged with multiple drug trafficking offenses.
Garland D. Williams, 55, of Hephzibah, Ga., charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime.
James Timothy Johnson, 30, of Waycross, Ga., charged with Possession of a Machinegun.
Christopher Jeramy Blair, 44, of Pembroke, Ga., charged with Possession of Firearms by a Convicted Felon.

All indicted defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Individuals recently adjudicated on federal firearms charges include:

Chester Morgan, 53, of Savannah, sentenced to 46 months in prison for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Wesley Rosenberg, 25, of Ludowici, Ga., sentenced to 20 months in prison and fined $1,000 for Engaging in the Firearms Business Without a License.
Isaac C. Brown, 40, of Guyton, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Joshua Bowser, 29, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Kenneth Oliver Riley, 60, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Brian Wesley Dean, 45, of Bloomingdale, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Jose Miguel Marrero, 27, and Jacqueline Christmas, 50, both of Statesboro, Ga., await sentencing after pleading guilty to False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm.

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