Felons Armed and Dangerous: 13 Indicted on Firearms, Drug Charges

SAVANNAH, GA – In a crackdown on gun violence, 13 individuals have been indicted on federal firearms and drug charges in the Southern District of Georgia. The cases are part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, a joint effort with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to reduce violent crime.

“In addition to taking guns out of the hands of convicted felons, these cases also demonstrate the increased danger posed by the growing number of illegal machine guns on the streets,” said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to identify and remove these illegal weapons from our communities.”

The defendants, ranging in age from 23 to 50, are charged with a variety of offenses, including possession of firearms by convicted felons, interference with commerce by robbery, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Those indicted include:

• Malik Havier McKenzie, 26, of Savannah, charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Cocaine, Carfentanyl, and Methamphetamine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; Possession of a Machine Gun; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
• Tavare Vashawne Ragin, 43, of Columbus, Ga., and Wesley Earl Wilson, 33, of Thomson, Ga., both charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Ragin also is charged with Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime;
• Jordan Richardson, 24, of Savannah, charged with Interference with Commerce by Robbery, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Possession and Discharge of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence;
• Duane B. Smith, 50, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
• Anthony McQuarters, 31, of Hardeeville, S.C., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession of Stolen Firearms;
• Kenyatta Dunn Nero, 40, of Augusta, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
• Barry Christopher Carpenter, 43, of Gainesville, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
• Brodrick Kyle Merritt, 42, of Augusta, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
• Antuane Farmer, 37, of Hinesville, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
• James Allen Ponder, 47, of Sylvania, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
• Andrey Denorris Blockett, 37, of Augusta, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
• Deleon Alexander Jackson, 23, of Augusta, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
• Jamell Williams, 44, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
• Akeem Ajmia Lanier, 36, of Metter, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
• Wilbur Zaccaeus Hightower, 24, of Blackshear, Ga., charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine;
• Andrey Denorris Blockett, 37, of Augusta, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;

Additionally, three defendants have recently been sentenced on federal firearms charges.

Jamell Williams, 44, of Savannah, was sentenced to 80 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police officers investigating reports of shots fired near a motel determined Williams was in possession of a rifle.

Akeem Ajmia Lanier, 36, of Metter, Ga., was sentenced to 77 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Metter police officers found a pistol in Lanier’s vehicle during a traffic stop.

Wilbur Zaccaeus Hightower, 24, of Blackshear, Ga., was sentenced to 72 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine.

All defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.