Georgia Men Plead Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession in Separate Cases

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Two Georgians with criminal records pleaded guilty to illegal firearm possession in separate Project Safe Neighborhoods investigations.

Travis Marcia Davis, 45, of Macon, admitted to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. If deemed an Armed Career Criminal, Davis faces 15 years to life imprisonment, with five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Otherwise, he could receive up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

Johnny Grilliot, 48, of Calhoun, Georgia, also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He faces up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

The pleas were before U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell on August 26. Sentencing dates are yet to be set. Federal sentences do not include parole.

U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary praised the collaborative efforts to combat gun violence in Georgia. ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka highlighted the successful joint investigation.

In Davis’s case, ATF's investigation, starting in May 2022, revealed Davis sold firearms, including a .380 caliber handgun and a sawed-off shotgun, at various locations in Macon. Davis, barred from firearm possession due to a prior felony, was found to have sold these firearms illegally.

In Grilliot’s case, GBI agents arrested him on September 1, 2023, at a rest stop on I-475. A search of his truck uncovered a loaded .40 caliber pistol, suspected methamphetamine, and related paraphernalia. Grilliot was already on supervised release for a previous firearm conviction.

These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaborative law enforcement efforts. The DOJ's May 2021 strategy strengthened PSN to enhance community safety.

The Davis case was investigated by ATF, while the Grilliot case involved GBI and ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joy Odom is handling the prosecutions.

Attributions: Middle District of GA