Two Convicted Felons Sentenced to Federal Prison on Gun Charges in Savannah Area

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Two men with prior felony convictions have been sentenced to federal prison in separate firearms cases, federal prosecutors announced.

Herman Lamont Dessasure, 43, of Savannah, and Darvin Prest Morris, 41, of Ludowici, each pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood sentenced Dessasure to 170 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release. The court determined Dessasure qualified as an armed career criminal due to at least three prior violent felony convictions.

Morris was sentenced to 110 months in prison, fined $1,000, and will serve three years of supervised release.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to prosecutors, Dessasure was arrested in November 2021 after a security guard at Oglethorpe Mall noticed what appeared to be a firearm under his shirt and alerted police. Officers found a pistol in his waistband and determined he was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his criminal history.

Morris was indicted following an April 2021 incident in McIntosh County, where residents detained him after he allegedly drove through a yard, displayed a firearm, and fired multiple shots.

Federal officials said the cases highlight ongoing efforts to remove firearms from individuals legally prohibited from possessing them.

The cases were prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia.