Seven Georgia Men Indicted for Illegal Gun Possession and Drug Distribution

Top: Bragg and Norton Jr. Bottom: Moore and CanadyPhoto byGDC/Local

Recent indictments in the Southern District of Georgia involve felony charges for illegal firearms possession and drug distribution. The indictments include individuals charged with possessing firearms despite prior felony convictions and distributing controlled substances. Defendants range in age from 25 to 56 and come from various cities within the district, including Savannah, Augusta, and Waynesboro. These cases are part of an ongoing effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office to combat violent crime and illegal firearm use.

In addition to the new indictments, several defendants have recently been sentenced to federal prison or are awaiting further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal gun charges. The prosecutions are conducted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative initiative with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the ATF and FBI, aimed at reducing violent crime by targeting convicted felons who illegally possess firearms.

Indictments from September include:

Daniel Blount Cates, 50, of Waynesboro, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and two counts of Possession of an Unregistered Firearm (machine gun and firearm with a silencer). Previously sentenced to probation for illegal gambling, Cates was sentenced to 15 months in prison in June for violating probation by possessing firearms.

Ray Charles Canady III, 51, of Augusta, charged with Interference with Commerce by Robbery; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Willie James Norton, 36, of Baxley, Ga., charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute 50+ Grams of Methamphetamine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Phillip Moore, 29, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Scottie Eugene Bryant, 48, of Grovetown, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Jack Anthony Bragg, 44, of Statesboro, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Jacorey D. Lockett, 30, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Daniel Jamal Robertson, 33, of Brooklet, Ga., charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Ephylone, known as bath salts); Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Recent Sentencings include:

Arthur Eugene Cannon, 41, of Savannah, sentenced to 120 months in prison and fined $1,000 for Possession of a Stolen Firearm. Cannon had a stolen pistol found during a drug trafficking investigation.

Thomas Allen Gordon, 56, of Savannah, sentenced to 70 months in prison and fined $1,500 for Possession of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute.

Daquan Minor, 32, of Savannah, sentenced to 120 months in prison for Possession of a Stolen Firearm. Minor had a stolen pistol in his vehicle during a traffic stop and has a history of felony offenses.

Marqus Jamal Flanders, 38, of Brunswick, sentenced to 112 months in prison for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Found with a pistol after a motorcycle and foot chase in February 2023.

Daveon Daniels, 25, of Grovetown, Ga., sentenced to 46 months in prison and fined $1,500 for Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun. A “Glock switch” was found on the firearm, converting it to fully automatic fire.

Zanuck Lorenzo Berry, 43, of Martinez, Ga., sentenced to 87 months in prison and fined $1,500 for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. An assault-style rifle and several handguns were discovered during a drug trafficking investigation.

Jamario D. Owens, 24, of Savannah, sentenced to 49 months in prison for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Phillip Smith, 49, of Augusta, sentenced to 156 months in prison and fined $2,500 for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Brian Hilliard, 40, of Augusta, sentenced to 108 months in prison and fined $1,500 for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Glen Taylor, 45, of Beech Island, S.C., sentenced to 37 months in prison and fined $1,500 for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.

Joshua Wasden, 36, of Thomson, Ga., sentenced to 120 months in prison and fined $2,000 for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.

Defendants awaiting sentencing or further proceedings include David Kreiss, 49, of Twin City, Ga.; Andrey Denorris Blockett, 37, of Augusta; Lial Stephens, 28, of Pooler, Ga.; Richard Bruce Salyer Jr., 49, of Forsyth, Ga.; Anthony Orlando Jones, 34, of Augusta; Barry Christopher Carpenter, 43, of Gainesville, Ga.; Eddie Lee Tolbert, 39, of Augusta; and Deleon Alexander Jackson, 23, of Augusta.

The Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office is handling these prosecutions under federal law, which prohibits firearm possession by individuals in prohibited categories.

Attributions: Southern District of Georgia