Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that Andrew Whittington, age 40, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was sentenced to 110 months imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was handed down by Senior United States District Court Judge C. Ashley Royal in Athens, Georgia on March 7, 2018.
There is no parole in the federal system.
In his plea agreement, Mr. Whittington admitted that on Dec. 18, 2016, he was stopped for speeding on Interstate 20 in Morgan County, Georgia by a Georgia State Patrol Trooper. Mr. Whittington gave consent for a search of his person, but when suspected methamphetamine was found, Mr. Whittington began a physical struggle that lasted several minutes before he was ultimately handcuffed. A subsequent search of Mr. Whittington’s car revealed 234.15 grams of methamphetamine, 14.476 grams of heroin, and a stolen.22 pistol. On the date of his arrest, Mr. Whittington had five prior felony convictions.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October, 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
“A career criminal dealing in the poison of illegal drugs, violently resisting apprehension and carrying a deadly weapon to protect his stash, Andrew Whittington is the exact person Congress had in mind when it passed the law making it illegal for a felon to possess an firearm. He richly deserves the hefty sentence he received today," said United States Attorney Peeler.
The case was investigated by the Georgia State Patrol and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Graham A. Thorpe prosecuted the case for the Government.
Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
