Columbus Repeat Offender Convicted of Illegal Firearm Possession After Airport Fence Chase

COLUMBUS, Ga. – A repeat offender who led deputies on a dangerous chase before climbing an airport fence has been found guilty of illegally possessing a firearm and faces up to 15 years in prison.

Reginald Weeks-Lewis, 29, was convicted on December 9, 2025, in U.S. District Court before Judge Clay Land. In addition to potential prison time, Weeks-Lewis could face three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for February 24, 2026.

According to court documents, Weeks-Lewis was initially stopped by Muscogee County Sheriff’s deputies in the early hours of March 1, 2025, for a traffic violation. He abruptly made a U-turn, lost control of his vehicle, and struck the shoulder of the road before fleeing on foot. During the pursuit, Weeks-Lewis shouted to deputies that he was armed.

He ran toward the Columbus Municipal Airport and climbed the perimeter fence before being found lying in brush on airport property. A semiautomatic pistol with 11 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber was recovered from his vehicle.

Weeks-Lewis has a prior felony record, including convictions for burglary, theft by taking, obstruction, vandalism to a place of worship, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes emphasized the severity of the case: “Armed repeat felony offenders are seeing their cases make it to the federal prosecutor’s office, where they face steep penalties. It is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm, and our office is working alongside our law enforcement partners to hold these individuals accountable for their crimes.”

The investigation was conducted by the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with assistance from the Muscogee County District Attorney’s Office. Acting ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Davis highlighted the importance of federal collaboration in addressing gun violence, while Sheriff Greg Countryman reaffirmed the department’s commitment to keeping firearms out of the hands of those legally prohibited from owning them.