An Americus, Georgia man with a history of felony convictions has been sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison for firearm offenses tied to drug trafficking. Juan Antonious Boone, 36, who faced charges following a police chase and subsequent arrest, pled guilty and received a 181-month sentence to be followed by three years of supervised release, with Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner presiding over the case, as the U.S. Attorney's Office announced.
Boone was under scrutiny by law enforcement for circulating the potentially lethal opioid fentanyl into his community, when he was captured, as detailed by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker expressed relief that Boone's high-speed attempt to evade police did not result in physical injuries, "We are grateful that no one was injured, when the defendant recklessly sped away in his car while attempting to evade arrest," Booker said. Her office stands firm on prosecuting armed felons distributing dangerous drugs. ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka sent a clear message, "If you’re a convicted felon pushing fentanyl and carrying illegal firearms, the ATF will find you, and you will face the full force of federal prosecution."
The charges against Boone included one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Upon his capture, Boone was found illegally in possession of two stolen 9mm pistols and was carrying almost 24 grams of fentanyl along with significant amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, and a semiautomatic pistol inside his vehicle. His past felony convictions included firearm possession by a convicted felon and firearm possession during the commission of a felony.
Local, state, and federal bodies worked in collaboration on Boone's arrest and prosecution, signaling a wider crackdown on drug and weapons-related crimes. "The Americus Police Department appreciates the teamwork between local, state, and federal law enforcement partners that helps to get dangerous criminals like this off our streets," Americus Police Chief Mark Scott said to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Efforts by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) culminated in bringing Boone's case under the scope of Operation Take Back America, focused on dismantling cartel operations and the distribution chain of illegal narcotics.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Redavid represented the government in the prosecution of the case.
