The Southern District of Georgia is cracking down on a spate of firearms and drug offenses, with a fleet of defendants facing the legal music after a series of federal indictments and guilty pleas. Law enforcement's latest sweep netted multiple individuals charged with unlawful weapons possession and drug distribution crimes, in an effort aligned with Project Safe Neighborhoods — a national initiative to dampen violent crime.
In an aggressive statement by U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg, the peril presented by a surge in illegal machine guns was highlighted, "In addition to taking guns out of the hands of convicted felons, these cases also demonstrate the increased danger posed by the growing number of illegal machine guns on the streets," said Steinberg. "With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to identify and remove these illegal weapons from our communities," as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Among the accused, Jordan Richardson, 24, of Savannah, faces a trio of charges including Interference with Commerce by Robbery and firearms infractions, while Tavare Vashawne Ragin, 43, and Wesley Earl Wilson, 33, both face methamphetamine charges. Reigning high on the list is Malik Havier McKenzie, 26, caught in possession of fentanyl, cocaine, carfentanyl, meth, and illicit firearms — including a machine gun, a heavier charge under current statutes.
Meanwhile, several defendants are already swallowing hard sentences. Akeem Ajmia Lanier, 36, got 77 months plus a $1,500 fine after a pistol was found in his car, and Wilbur Zaccaeus Hightower, 24, managed to score a 72-month stay in the big house, after his vehicle incident exposed not only a wand of drugs but a modified Glock 9mm converted to a machine gun — a serious federal offense, as mentioned on the U.S. Attorney’s Office's website.
The convict roster extends to Jamell Williams, sentenced to 80 months for holding a rifle, and Daveon Daniels, awaiting his fate after Google showed the death of a 4-year-old girl involved a "Glock switch" owned machine gun. Firearms unlawfully gripped in the pursuit of drug trafficking or violent offenses severely contravene federal law, as do any attempts by prohibited individuals to purchase guns or lie on official purchase documents. The ATF has detailed guidelines for lawful firearms purchase, intended to steer clear potential buyers from stepping into legal snares.
