Two Middle Georgia Men Plead Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession in Project Safe Neighborhoods Cases

Two Georgians with criminal records have pleaded guilty to illegally possessing firearms in separate investigations under Project Safe Neighborhoods.

Travis Marcia Davis, 45, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If deemed an Armed Career Criminal by the Court, Davis faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years up to a maximum of life imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. If not classified as an Armed Career Criminal, Davis faces a maximum of ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

Johnny Grilliot, also known as “Julio,” 48, of Calhoun, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Grilliot faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

The hearings took place before U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell on August 26. Sentencing dates for both defendants will be set by the Court. Federal law does not provide for parole.

U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary noted, “These cases demonstrate the ongoing efforts by federal, state, and local law enforcement in Macon and across the Middle District of Georgia to protect communities from gun violence.”

Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division, Beau Kolodka, added, “Among ATF’s top priorities is ensuring that firearms traffickers are aggressively investigated and swiftly brought to justice. This investigation is an excellent example of cooperative efforts leading to outstanding results.”

In Davis’s case, ATF began investigating him in May 2022 for firearms trafficking. Using a confidential informant, agents conducted controlled purchases of firearms and ammunition from Davis in May and June, acquiring 12 firearms, including a .380 caliber handgun with an obliterated serial number and a sawed-off shotgun. Davis, prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction, had hidden the sawed-off shotgun separately, expressing fear that it could lead to federal charges.

In Grilliot’s case, GBI agents arrested him on September 1, 2023, during a narcotics conspiracy investigation at a rest stop off I-475. A search of his 18-wheeler revealed a loaded .40 caliber pistol, a small bag of suspected methamphetamine, and a pipe with methamphetamine residue. Grilliot, previously convicted for possession of an unregistered firearm, was serving supervised release at the time of this offense.

Both cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that unites law enforcement at all levels and community members to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The DOJ’s violent crime reduction strategy, launched on May 26, 2021, strengthens PSN by fostering trust, supporting community-based violence prevention, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.

The Davis case was investigated by ATF, while the Grilliot case was investigated by GBI and ATF.