SAVANNAH, GA – A single bullet landed Charles Harmon Porter, 54, of Savannah, Georgia, with a staggering 100 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence, handed down on September 4th, stems from his possession of ammunition as a convicted felon – a charge born from a night of violence and a desperate attempt to evade justice.
The trouble began May 29, 2023, when Porter, already a three-time convicted felon with a rap sheet including terroristic threats, cocaine possession, and obstruction of law enforcement, allegedly shot his female roommate during a heated domestic dispute at their Alma Street residence. Forget a prolonged struggle; witnesses say the shooting happened quickly. Immediately after, Porter didn’t stick around to explain. He bolted, ditching the handgun used in the attack in an effort to bury the evidence.
Savannah Police Department officers were on the scene almost immediately, quickly zeroing in on Porter as the shooter. A warrant was swiftly obtained, and within hours, he was located at another Savannah address and taken into custody. But the story didn’t end at the jail door. During booking at the Chatham County jail, a single round of ammunition was discovered tucked away in his pocket – a seemingly small detail with massive legal implications.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) experts determined the ammunition had crossed state lines, originating from outside Georgia. This seemingly minor detail transformed a potential state charge into a federal offense: possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. Porter was subsequently indicted in federal court and eventually pleaded guilty, acknowledging his illegal possession of the deadly round. Prosecutors successfully argued that the bullet was directly linked to the attempted murder of his roommate.
“The sentencing of Charles Harmon Porter reaffirms that this office will vigorously prosecute violent criminals who illegally possess firearms or ammunition down to the very last bullet as part of our commitment to public safety,” stated U.S. Attorney Margaret E. Heap. “We wish the victim the best in her continued recovery.” Acting ASAC Robert Davis added, “Every bullet represents a potential threat to public safety; we will continue to work diligently to prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands.”
The case was a joint effort between the ATF and the Savannah Police Department, with Assistant United States Attorney Timothy P. Dean handling the prosecution. However, this isn’t the end of Porter’s legal woes. A related state charge of aggravated assault remains pending in Chatham County Superior Court, promising further complications for the repeat offender. The victim’s condition remains undisclosed, but sources close to the investigation confirm she is still recovering from her injuries.
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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