BAINBRIDGE, GA – James Currin, 45, of Bainbridge, Georgia, is headed to federal prison after a brazen attempt to evade arrest and a cache of stolen weapons were discovered at his home. Currin was sentenced to the maximum 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on December 15, after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The case highlights a dangerous intersection of drug trafficking and illegal gun sales plaguing South Georgia.
The investigation began in September 2019, with Currin already under scrutiny for distributing methamphetamine. Simultaneously, Decatur County deputies were investigating a home burglary where 20 firearms were stolen. Evidence quickly revealed Currin had traded methamphetamine for six of the stolen guns. When deputies moved to execute a search warrant at his residence on April 1, 2020, Currin unleashed a pit bull on them and fled into the woods. The dog attacked one of the responding officers before Currin could escape.
A subsequent search of Currin’s property yielded a staggering 23 long guns and three handguns. Investigators confirmed that several of the recovered firearms were linked to the earlier burglary. Others had their serial numbers intentionally obliterated, a common tactic used to conceal the weapons’ illicit origin. Currin was finally apprehended on April 7, still in possession of a semi-automatic pistol, and reportedly told investigators he was contemplating “suicide by cop.”
U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary minced no words about the severity of the crime. “Repeat offenders with violent criminal histories who broker illegal drugs for stolen guns unquestionably make our communities less safe,” Leary stated. Decatur County Sheriff Wiley Griffin echoed that sentiment, emphasizing, “Attacking a law enforcement officer should not be tolerated.” The Sheriff expressed gratitude for the collaboration with the ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in securing the conviction.
ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones underscored the agency’s commitment to tackling violent crime. “There is no initiative more critical to ATF than increasing the safety of our communities,” Jones said. “Cases which result in the arrests and prosecution of violent criminals are fundamental to continuing this initiative.” Currin’s rap sheet already included prior felony convictions for methamphetamine possession and felony battery causing great bodily harm in both Georgia and Florida, making him legally prohibited from possessing firearms.
The prosecution of Currin falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice program focused on reducing violent crime through collaborative efforts between federal, state, and local law enforcement. The 120-month sentence serves as a clear message: those who traffic in stolen guns and endanger law enforcement will face the full force of the law, with no possibility of parole in the federal system.
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