Federal Indictments and Sentencings Announced in Southern District of Georgia for Firearms and Drug Charges

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia has announced new indictments and sentencings related to illegal firearms possession and drug distribution as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. These cases, prosecuted in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), FBI, and local law enforcement, aim to curb violent crime by targeting convicted felons who illegally possess firearms.

“Illegally possessed guns, particularly those converted to automatic fire, are a persistent threat to public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg. “With our law enforcement partners, we are committed to eliminating these sources of violence in our communities.”

Recent Indictments:

Javon Edwards, 30, of Savannah: Charged with Possession of a Machine Gun, referring to a pistol converted to automatic fire using a “Glock switch.”
Travis Sanders, 44, of Savannah: Charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Recent Sentencings:

Laron Thompson, aka “Hollywood,” 38, of Savannah: Sentenced to 115 months in prison for drug conspiracy and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Thompson was part of a 2023 Savannah-area drug trafficking conspiracy that included 10 defendants.
Jacqueline Christmas, 50, of Statesboro: Sentenced to 33 months in prison for False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm. Christmas purchased multiple handguns on behalf of her brother-in-law, who was illegally selling them in New York.
Jakobian Sentell Jones, 25, of Warrenton, Ga.: Sentenced to 60 months in prison and fined $1,500 for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and drug charges involving cocaine and methamphetamine.
Othnell Christian Ferguson, 27, of Pembroke, Ga.: Sentenced to 70 months in prison and fined $1,500 for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon following a foot chase after a traffic stop.

Defendants Awaiting Sentencing:

Kenyatta Dunn Nero, 40, of Augusta: Pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Jamal Brashad Hawkins, 22, of Swainsboro, Ga.: Pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Darnell Harold Miller, 25, of Savannah: Pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Nathan Sparks, 27, of Savannah: Pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Anthony McQuarters, 31, of Hardeeville, S.C.: Pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon after being arrested following a chase on I-16.
Christopher Jeramy Blair, 44, of Pembroke, Ga.: Pleaded guilty to Possession of Firearms by a Convicted Felon. Authorities seized 11 firearms from Blair’s residence.

Federal Firearm Laws:

Under federal law, it is illegal for certain individuals, including felons, to possess firearms. It is also unlawful to use firearms in drug trafficking or violent crimes. Purchasing or attempting to purchase firearms on behalf of others or providing false information on ATF Form 4473 are also federal offenses.

For more information, visit the ATF website: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atfw-form-4473