A Meriwether County resident with a history of felony convictions was found guilty of several serious charges this week. The verdict for Howatdrick Jamal Jones, 30, reflected one count of possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute, one count of possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Jones was tried in a bench trial presided over by U.S. District Judge Clay Land on Monday, September 23, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.
In the statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary commented, "Repeat armed felons tied to violent criminal gangs will find themselves being held accountable at the federal level." He further mentioned the collective efforts of law enforcement throughout the Middle District of Georgia to address the threat posed by the most dangerous offenders in communities. The prosecution, backed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Williams and Crawford Seals, is positioned to carry Jones' case through to a sentencing scheduled for December 12. It’s worth noting that the federal system does not offer parole options, placing significant emphasis on the life sentence that Jones could face.
The investigation leading to Jones' conviction was a multi-agency effort, involving the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Waverly Hall Police Department, with support from the FBI and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Jones had been apprehended on October 16, 2019, when a Waverly Hall Police Department officer's license plate reader flagged his vehicle due to active arrest warrants. A subsequent search of his car revealed drugs, paraphernalia, and a concealed .45 caliber pistol—a significant detail, given Jones’ status as a convicted felon, barred from gun possession.
Commenting on the severity of the operations that lead to such arrests, DEA Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Murphy stated, "Guns, drugs and violence are unfortunately all too common tools of the drug trafficking organizations operating in our communities." He affirmed the DEA's commitment to holding violent drug traffickers accountable. Echoing this sentiment, Waverly Hall Police Chief Jason Durham, in a statement, recognized the tireless efforts of law enforcement entities in the case, declaring, "This is another proven example that illegal drugs and guns will not be tolerated," according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The conviction adds to Jones’ troubled legal history, as he was also convicted of bank robbery on September 20, 2023, currently serving a life sentence for this crime in the Superior Court of Pike County, Georgia. The case stands as a testament to ongoing local and federal government collaboration to staunch the flow of narcotics and associated violence within communities.
