Southern District of Georgia Indicts and Sentences Defendants on Federal Firearms and Drug Charges

In the Southern District of Georgia, recent indictments and sentences address illegal firearms possession and drug distribution offenses. The indictments were returned as part of ongoing efforts to combat violent crime under Project Safe Neighborhoods, which involves federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the ATF and FBI.

“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.”

September Indictments 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, including a machine gun and a firearm with a silencer. Cates, previously sentenced to probation on an illegal gambling charge, violated his probation by possessing firearms and was sentenced to 15 months in prison.
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, of Grovetown: Charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Jack Anthony Bragg, 44, of Statesboro, Ga.: Charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Jacorey D. Lockett, 30, of Savannah: Charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Daniel Jamal Robertson, 33, of Brooklet, Ga.: Charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Recent Sentencings Include:

Arthur Eugene Cannon, 41, of Savannah: Sentenced to 120 months in prison and fined $1,000 for Possession of a Stolen Firearm. The firearm was discovered during a drug trafficking investigation.
Thomas Allen Gordon, 56, of Savannah: Sentenced to 70 months in prison and fined $1,500 for Possession of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute.
Daquan Minor, 32, of Savannah: Sentenced to 120 months in prison for Possession of a Stolen Firearm, discovered during a traffic stop.
Marqus Jamal Flanders, 38, of Brunswick: Sentenced to 112 months in prison for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon after being found with a pistol following a police chase.
Daveon Daniels, 25, of Grovetown, Ga.: Sentenced to 46 months in prison and fined $1,500 for Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun equipped with a “Glock switch” for automatic fire.
Zanuck Lorenzo Berry, 43, of Martinez, Ga.: Sentenced to 87 months in prison and fined $1,500 for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Seized firearms included assault-style rifles and ghost guns.
Jamario D. Owens, 24, of Savannah: Sentenced to 49 months in prison for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Phillip Smith, 49, of Augusta, and Brian Hilliard, 40, of Augusta: Both sentenced to significant prison terms for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Additional co-defendants await sentencing.

Defendants Awaiting Sentencing:

David Kreiss, 49, of Twin City, Ga.: Awaiting sentencing for Possession of Firearms by a Convicted Felon.
Andrey Denorris Blockett, 37, of Augusta: Awaiting sentencing for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Lial Stephens, 28, of Pooler, Ga.: Awaiting sentencing for Interference with Commerce by Robbery.
Richard Bruce Salyer Jr., 49, of Forsyth, Ga.: Awaiting sentencing for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Anthony Orlando Jones, 34, of Augusta: Awaiting sentencing for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Barry Christopher Carpenter, 43, of Gainesville, Ga.: Awaiting sentencing for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Eddie Lee Tolbert, 39, of Augusta: Awaiting sentencing for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Deleon Alexander Jackson, 23, of Augusta: Awaiting sentencing for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

The cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia. All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.