Demetrius Dewayne Thomas, 37, of Los Angeles, California, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for carrying a gun at a Savannah mall.
A federal jury found Thomas guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, and possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g), (g)(1), and (j), respectively.
On March 12, 2022, Thomas was observed with a firearm at the Savannah Mall in Savannah, Georgia, by a loss prevention officer. After being stopped by mall security, Thomas fled the scene on foot and was later apprehended by law enforcement.
During a search of Thomas’s person, officers found a loaded 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number. Thomas later admitted to being a convicted felon and stated he had the pistol for personal protection.
U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Davis sentenced Thomas to 120 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. The sentence was imposed after a sentencing hearing in which Thomas’s counsel argued for a lighter sentence, citing Thomas’s cooperation with law enforcement and his history of mental health issues.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Savannah Police Department, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Shanelle Smith and Ryan C. Tucker, prosecuted the case for the United States.
In a separate case, 31-year-old Tyreek Lavelle Johnson of Sacramento, California, was sentenced to 5 years in prison for firing shots in a neighborhood.
On October 20, 2022, Johnson was observed firing a handgun in the 500 block of 13th Street in Sacramento. A witness called 911, and law enforcement responded to the scene. Johnson fled on foot but was apprehended after a brief pursuit.
During a search of Johnson’s person, officers found a loaded 9mm pistol with an altered serial number. Johnson later admitted to firing the pistol in the direction of another individual, claiming he was acting in self-defense.
U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez sentenced Johnson to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. The sentence was imposed after a sentencing hearing in which Johnson’s counsel argued for a lighter sentence, citing Johnson’s cooperation with law enforcement and his history of mental health issues.
The case was investigated by the Sacramento Police Department, with assistance from the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Leigha R. Meineke, prosecuted the case for the United States.
Related Federal Cases
- Michael Brian Taylor, Bank Robbery, California 2016 · California
- Yan Feng, Arson at Chinese Consulate, California 2024 · Washington
- Silas Duane Boston, Maritime Double Homicide, California 1978 · Florida
- Thomas Bitter, Threatening a Federal Officer, USVI 2024 · Washington
- Eric Walter Gray, Bank Robbery, California 2024 · California
Key Facts
ðŸâ€ÂÂÂÂ’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
All California Cases →All Districts →
