SAVANNAH, GA: NATHANIEL THOMAS PUGH, III, 35, of Savannah, Georgia, was convicted on Dec. 12, 2017 by a federal jury after a two-day trial before U.S. District Court Judge William T. Moore, Jr. Pugh was convicted of possessing a firearm as a felon, possession of ethylone, commonly referred to as "Molly," with the intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Pugh was involved in a shooting in the Oak Forest neighborhood of Savannah on November 4, 2015. After sustaining a gunshot wound, Pugh drove his bullet riddled car to the hospital. Savannah Chatham-Metro Police recovered a Glock firearm, loaded with a 30-round extended magazine in the glove compartment, which had Pugh’s DNA on it. Also in the car, officers recovered a treasure trove of drug paraphernalia, including almost an ounce of “Molly," cocaine, pills, baggies and a scale. Text messages recovered from Pugh’s cell phone revealed that Pugh had engaged in several drug transactions prior to the shooting incident, and also revealed photographs of Pugh holding the firearm that was ultimately recovered from Pugh’s car.
Pugh’s criminal history dates back almost two decades and includes prior convictions for Driving Under the Influence, Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Controlled Substances, Terroristic Threats, Simple Battery and Willful Obstruction of Law Enforcement.
For possessing a firearm as a felon, Pugh faces a sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Additionally, Pugh may be sentenced up to 20 years on the drug trafficking offense, and also faces a consecutive sentence of 5 years to life imprisonment, for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. There is no parole in the federal system. Pugh’s sentencing date has yet to be scheduled.
U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine said, “The number one priority of this office is to keep our citizens safe, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Kirkland and Carlton Bourne are doing just that with this trial victory. The Department of Justice and this United States Attorney’s Office will continue to partner with our local and federal agencies to work tirelessly to track down, apprehend, and bring to justice those who commit violent crimes, or threaten to commit violent crimes in this district."
Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Kirkland and Carlton Bourne prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. For any questions, please contact Appellate Chief R. Brian Tanner at (912) 652-4422.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
