COLUMBUS – A tough sweep of the federal gun trade in Columbus, Georgia, saw two defendants sentenced and another pleading guilty on Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) charges. Devante Patterson, 25, was handed a 27-month sentence for stealing nine firearms from Shooters of Columbus in 2017. Corneilous Hixson, 22, received a 57-month term for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after a shooting incident in 2018. Dadge William Parrish, 33, also pleaded guilty to the same charge.
Patterson’s heist at Shooters of Columbus occurred on November 24, 2017, where he stole nine firearms and was later caught attempting to sell them at a local pawn shop. Hixson, with three prior felony convictions, was arrested in April 2018 after firing on a residence; his .380 caliber pistol contained ammunition when police apprehended him. Parrish’s plea came following a March 2018 chase where he was found with a semiautomatic pistol.
Charles “Charlie” Peeler, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, emphasized the importance of removing firearms from violent criminals. “Our office will remain focused on PSN related cases,” Peeler said, thanking the Columbus Police Department for their efforts in both cases. All three cases were prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a DOJ initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through comprehensive community solutions.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Solis, Crawford Seals, and Amy Helmick led the prosecution of Patterson, Hixson, and Parrish respectively, with investigations conducted by ATF and CPD in collaboration with Georgia State Patrol. The sentences reflect the severity of gun-related offenses and the commitment to public safety within the federal system.
For inquiries about these cases, contact Pamela Lightsey at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges at (478) 765-2362.
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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