ATHENS: Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that Mikail Anthony Walker, age 24, of Social Circle, Georgia, pled guilty on Oct. 1, 2018 to Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number before U.S. District Court Judge Hugh Lawson in Athens, Georgia.
In entering his plea, Mr. Walker admitted that officers with the Social Circle Police Department (SCPD) had conducted an investigation after complaints that drug sales were taking place at his home. Ultimately, the SCPD obtained a search warrant for Mr. Walker’s home and recovered a Taurus, 9mm Parabellum caliber semi-automatic pistol with the serial number scratched off, a loaded Taurus,.357 Magnum caliber revolver, marijuana, and digital scales.
Mr. Walker faces a maximum sentence of five (5) years’ imprisonment, a maximum $250,000 fine, or both, to be followed by three (3) years of supervised release.
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.
The case was investigated by the Social Circle Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Leary is prosecuting the case for the United States.
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
