ATLANTA - Cory Jones, a/k/a Corey Jones has been sentenced to four years, three months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The defendant attempted to rob a citizen and afterward exchanged gunfire with security guards and another citizen at that location.
“As a convicted felon, Jones should never have been in possession of the gun he used to rob and fire at the victim," said U.S. Attorney John A. Horn. “This defendant jeopardized the lives of so many others and is a perfect example of why the aggressive enforcement of federal firearms laws remains a critical priority for this office and our law enforcement partners."
“Getting guns out of the hands of violent criminals has been one of my top priorities," said Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields. “I’m grateful to U.S. Attorney Horn for his support of our efforts and for prosecuting someone who has very clearly posed a threat to public safety."
According to U.S. Attorney Horn, the charges and other information presented in court: On March 15, 2016, Jones approached a car in the parking lot of the Blue Ivory Restaurant and Lounge in Atlanta, Georgia. After speaking with the driver through an open passenger window, Jones pulled out a firearm and demanded the driver’s watch. Although the victim handed over his watch, Jones fired his weapon at the victim, but fortunately did not strike the victim. The victim then quickly accelerated out of the parking lot. Jones continued firing at the victim’s car as it pulled away, and the victim stopped, returning fire with his own weapon. A security guard that witnessed the unfolding scene fired at Jones as well.
Jones fled the parking lot on foot with two security guards in pursuit. The security guards caught him as he attempted to hide in bushes on a nearby exit ramp for I-20, with his firearm lying at his feet. Shortly thereafter, Atlanta Police Department (APD) officers took into custody without further incident. The officers checked ’s criminal history, and learned that he was a convicted felon, and thus prohibited from possessing firearms.
Cory Jones, a/k/a Corey Jones, 29, of Atlanta, Georgia, has been sentenced to four years, three months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Jones was convicted on these charges on May 15, 2017, after he pleaded guilty.
This case was investigated by the Atlanta Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bret R. Hobson and Mary Webb prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
