Albany Felons Face Up to 15 Years for Illegal Firearm Possession

Albany residents Marcus Ryan Telfair, 30, and Kentravious Montrell Ware, 36, have pleaded guilty to illegal possession of firearms. Both face up to 15 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing dates will be determined by the court.

On June 26, U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner accepted their guilty pleas. Both individuals were investigated as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence.

“These convicted felons not only illegally possessed firearms but also threatened citizens with those guns,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Project Safe Neighborhoods helps keep our community safer due to strong partnerships between local, state and federal law enforcement in Albany and across the Middle District of Georgia united by our shared goal to reduce violent crime.”

“Mr. Telfair and Mr. Ware both terrorized an entire community,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka. “Their actions threatened the lives of citizens and law enforcement alike. In the Middle District of Georgia, we will continue our relentless pursuit of dangerous felons who possess firearms, especially those who show no regard for human life. We must hold them accountable.”

“Here is another example of the collaborative efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia and the Albany Police Department working to address the criminal actions of others,” said APD Chief Michael Persley. “These defendants have proven that they are repeat offenders and do not value the life of others. I hope that the victims have received the support they deserve, and this will be another lesson learned that crime doesn’t pay.”

According to court documents, Albany Police Department (APD) officers responded to a disorderly conduct call on Oct. 23, 2023, involving Telfair. A landscaper called 911 after seeing Telfair dragging a woman by her hair and threatening the landscaper with a gun. Telfair was found hiding with a stolen 9mm semiautomatic pistol. He has prior convictions including robbery and interfering with government property.

In Ware’s case, APD officers responded to a call on July 22, 2023, where Ware had pointed a gun at another customer during an argument. Ware was found with a .380 semiautomatic pistol. He has prior felony convictions for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and theft by receiving stolen property.

Both cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The Albany Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) assisted in these investigations.