Federal Jury Convicts West Georgia Man With Violent Criminal History of Drug and Gun Charges

Columbus, GA — A Georgia man with a history of violent crimes has been convicted by a federal jury of possessing illegal drugs and multiple firearms while on federal supervised release.

Nimesh Vijay Desai was found guilty on March 4 following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Clay Land.

The jury convicted Desai of possession of methamphetamine, possession of fentanyl, possession of heroin, possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

Desai faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. There is no parole in the federal prison system.

According to evidence presented at trial, law enforcement executed search warrants on February 28, 2024, at a Columbus apartment and a storage unit leased to Desai as part of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking.

During the searches, agents seized approximately 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine and about 800 grams of fentanyl and heroin.

Investigators also located scales and grinders commonly used in drug distribution along with $12,800 in cash.

Authorities recovered seven firearms and numerous rounds of ammunition, including magazines, which were linked to Desai.

At the time of the searches, Desai was on federal supervised release following his 2012 convictions in the Middle District of Georgia for distributing methamphetamine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and assaulting federal agents with a deadly weapon.

Officials said Desai is currently serving a 60-month federal prison sentence after his supervised release was revoked in connection with those earlier convictions.

The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

Criminal Chief Leah McEwen prosecuted the case for the federal government.