ALBANY, Ga. – Lenwood Thomas, a 40-year-old Albany resident, has been found guilty of illegally possessing a firearm and cocaine with intent to distribute.
According to court documents, officers with the Georgia Department of Community Supervision and Dougherty County Police Department conducted a search of Thomas’s home on February 28, 2020, after receiving evidence of his involvement in illegal drug sales. During the search, a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, along with illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia, were found in the home.
At the time of the search, Thomas had numerous felony convictions, making it illegal for him to possess a firearm. Following the incident, Thomas was arrested on an unrelated matter on June 14, 2021. During the attempted stop, Thomas drove away from the officers, committing numerous traffic violations in an attempt to escape.
When Thomas’s vehicle lost control and came to rest in a ditch, he ran away from the scene and was chased by an officer. During the foot chase, Thomas threw items out of a bag he was carrying, including illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, and a BMW key fob. A search warrant was later obtained for the BMW, where officers found 167.4 grams of cocaine in the trunk and a 9mm pistol.
Thomas pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute before U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner. As an armed career criminal, Thomas faces a minimum of 15 years to a maximum of life in prison, followed by a maximum of five years of supervised release. Sentencing has not been scheduled, but will occur within 90 days.
“Armed career criminals like Lenwood Thomas who repeatedly break the law while in possession of guns will face federal prosecution,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Working with the local community and our state and federal partners, we will hold repeat offenders accountable for their crimes and do everything in our power to decrease violent crime across Southwest Georgia.”
This case is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, a joint federal, state, and local program aimed at reducing violent crime. The case was investigated by the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, Dougherty County Police Department, and Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melody Ellis is prosecuting the case for the Government.
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons|Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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