Slaughter’s Gun Mishap Lands Him in Federal Court

MACON, Ga. – A loaded pistol and a history of violent crime proved to be a bad combination for Freddie Slaughter, Jr., 40, of Macon. The convicted felon pleaded guilty today to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a charge stemming from a June 9, 2019, domestic disturbance call. Slaughter now faces a potential decade behind bars with no chance of parole.

According to court documents, officers responded to a Macon residence regarding a reported domestic incident involving Slaughter. Instead of cooperating, Slaughter bolted. During the apprehension, a loaded semiautomatic pistol tumbled from his pocket, immediately escalating the situation. The weapon is now evidence, and Slaughter’s prior convictions sealed his fate.

Slaughter’s criminal record isn’t short. He was previously convicted of robbery by sudden snatching in Bibb County Superior Court on June 27, 2005. That conviction, along with federal law, explicitly prohibits him from possessing any firearms. U.S. Attorney Charles “Charlie” Peeler made it clear: “Convicted felons illegally possessing guns in the Middle District of Georgia face federal prosecution and federal prison, where there is no parole.”

The case is part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a program designed to target violent offenders and reduce crime through coordinated efforts between federal, state, and local agencies. It’s also linked to “Project Guardian,” a DOJ initiative specifically focused on reducing gun violence and enforcing existing firearms laws. The feds aren’t messing around.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Peeler lauded their work, stating, “I want to thank the ATF and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office for their work taking guns out of the hands of convicted felons in Middle Georgia.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Will R. Keyes is handling the prosecution.

U.S. District Judge Tripp Self has scheduled Slaughter’s sentencing for December 8, 2020. For inquiries, contact Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it moves toward resolution.