Daniel Blount Cates, Firearms Charges, Georgia 2022

A recent wave of federal charges has rocked the Southern District of Georgia, as multiple defendants face serious crimes related to firearms and drug trafficking. In a disturbing trend, illegal firearms have proliferated in communities across Georgia, threatening the safety of neighborhoods. As part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies have joined forces to combat this growing problem.

A total of 12 defendants have been indicted or sentenced in connection with these crimes. One of the most egregious cases involves Daniel Blount Cates, a 50-year-old resident of Waynesboro, GA. Cates was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, as well as two counts of Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, including a machine gun and a firearm equipped with a silencer. Cates had previously been sentenced to probation on an illegal gambling charge in 2021. However, U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall ruled that Cates had violated the terms of his probation by possessing firearms, and he was subsequently sentenced to 15 months in prison in June.

Cates is not the only defendant facing serious charges in this case. Other indicted defendants include Ray Charles Canady III, Willie James Norton, Phillip Moore, Scottie Eugene Bryant, Jack Anthony Bragg, and Jacorey D. Lockett, all of whom are charged with various firearms-related crimes. Arthur Eugene Cannon, a 41-year-old resident of Savannah, was sentenced to 120 months in prison and fined $1,000 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Stolen Firearm. Thomas Allen Gordon, a 56-year-old resident of Savannah, was sentenced to 70 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute.

Daquan Minor, a 32-year-old resident of Savannah, was sentenced to 120 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Stolen Firearm. Minor had previously been convicted of felony offenses, including illegal gun possession and drug trafficking. Marqus Jamal Flanders, a 38-year-old resident of Brunswick, was sentenced to 112 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. In February 2023, Glynn County police found a pistol in Flanders’ possession after an attempted traffic stop. Daniel Jamal Robertson, a 33-year-old resident of Brooklet, GA, was indicted on charges of Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, including an isomer of Ephylone, also known as bath salts, as well as Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, Jill E. Steinberg, commended the efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in investigating these crimes. She stated, “As illegally possessed firearms proliferate in our community, our office continues to hold accountable those who threaten the safety of our neighborhoods.” The prosecution of these cases is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies aimed at reducing violent crime through measures that include targeting convicted felons who illegally possess guns.

The cases are being prosecuted in the Southern District of Georgia, with defendants facing a range of charges, including firearms-related crimes and drug trafficking offenses. The U.S. Attorney's office has vowed to continue working with law enforcement partners to combat this growing problem and keep communities safe.

Defendant Information:
• 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, June 2022, 15 months in prison
• 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 or More 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, 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
• Arthur Eugene Cannon, 41, of Savannah, sentenced to 120 months in prison and fined $1,000 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Stolen Firearm
• Thomas Allen Gordon, 56, of Savannah, sentenced to 70 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute
• Daquan Minor, 32, of Savannah, sentenced to 120 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Stolen Firearm
• Marqus Jamal Flanders, 38, of Brunswick, sentenced to 112 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
• Daniel Jamal Robertson, 33, of Brooklet, GA, indicted on charges of Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdga/pr/multiple-defendants-prosecuted-federal-firearms-drug-charges-8