Shaka Africa, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Vermont 2022

Shaka Africa, 31, of Northfield, Vermont, was sentenced to 32 months of imprisonment and a 3-year term of supervised release for possessing a firearm in 2020 after having been previously convicted of a felony offense.

Africa was involved in a shooting incident on August 27, 2020, in Morristown, Vermont. He had just arrived in his vehicle at a residence on Elmore Road when a Jeep that had been following him aggressively pulled into the driveway behind him. Africa, without knowing who was in the Jeep, drew a handgun and fired a round at the Jeep. The bullet struck the Jeep in the left rear wheel well. The occupants of the Jeep immediately departed and reported the incident to police. Police later located Africa and seized a 9-millimeter pistol from him.

Africa was determined to be a felon, having been convicted in 2016 of aggravated assault with a weapon in Washington County, Vermont.

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the efforts of the Morristown Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives in the investigation and prosecution of Africa.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Lasher prosecuted the case for the United States. Africa was represented by Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the violent crime reduction efforts. The PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Africa’s case is a prime example of the success of the PSN program. His sentence serves as a reminder that violent crime will not be tolerated in Vermont and that those who commit such crimes will face serious consequences.

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