Macon Mafia Member Sentenced to Over 8 Years for Illegal Firearm Possession Following Fatal Gang Shooting
Nekoase Antwan Vinson, 41, a convicted felon and confirmed member of the Macon Mafia criminal organization, has been sentenced to a total of 107 months (over 8 years) in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm. The sentencing occurred while Vinson was on supervised release for a prior federal drug conviction in West Virginia.
U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell handed down the sentence of 71 months for the firearm possession charge (Case No. 5:24-CR-64-001) and an additional 36 months after Vinson’s supervised release was revoked in a separate case (Case No. 3:09-CR-99-002) from the Southern District of West Virginia, where he had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. There is no parole in the federal system. Vinson had pleaded guilty to the firearm charge on February 20th.
Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker highlighted the deadly consequences of gang-related violence and the illegal possession of firearms by convicted felons. “A man lost his life as a result of a gang-related shooting where convicted felons illegally possessed rapid-fire guns capable of killing many people,” Booker stated. “Our office will use every federal resource available to lawfully hold repeat felons accountable for illegally arming themselves and endangering our community.”
Bibb County Sheriff David Davis added, “This case is a tragic example of the mayhem that results when criminal gang members with illegally possessed firearms try to settle scores in public. We can be grateful that for almost nine years Nekoase Vinson will not be able to spew violence which might harm law abiding citizens.”
According to court documents, Vinson and Joshua Teone Curry were present at a Macon gas station on July 20, 2024, when a gang-related shooting erupted. Video surveillance showed Curry firing a fully automatic pistol, and Vinson brandished an AR-style rifle. Vinson, who was wearing a large “M4L” (Mafia 4 Life) medallion, and Curry fled the scene together in Vinson’s Cadillac Escalade. RaQuavian Smith, an associate of Vinson and Curry’s who was also present, died from gunshot wounds sustained in the violence.
Law enforcement seized both firearms seen in the video, along with an additional pistol, on August 23, 2024, during the execution of a search warrant at a location controlled by Vinson and Curry. Beneath a mattress, they found a Glock .40 caliber pistol with an extended magazine and a Sig Sauer .45 caliber pistol. Officers also recovered Macon Mafia memorabilia and the M4L chain Vinson wore during the shooting. Inside Curry’s vehicle, they found an AR-style rifle.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative targeting illegal immigration, cartels, and violent crime. 1 The investigation was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. Criminal Chief Leah E. McEwen prosecuted the case for the Government.
