ROME, Ga. - Jermaine Courtney Brown, a member of the Gangster Disciples gang, has been sentenced to prison for possessing a firearm while a convicted felon.
“Brown’s criminal conduct and the behavior of other suspected members of his violent street gang plague our community and jeopardize the safety of our citizens," said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay" Pak. “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to combat gang violence and those who illegally possess firearms."
“Brown clearly has not learned from prior convictions and continues to threaten the safety of our citizens," said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI would like to thank the Cedartown Police Department for their diligence in arresting Brown once again. Because of their efforts Brown will have more time in prison to think about his future path."
“The multi-jurisdictional cooperation encouraged and facilitated by Project Safe Neighborhoods is making a difference in the quality of life of our citizens. The Cedartown Police Department will continue to work with all our law enforcement partners to make our communities safer," said Jamie Newsome, Chief of Police, Cedartown Police Department.
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: On Jan. 30, 2018, Cedartown Police Department officers observed Brown walking along an intersection in Cedartown, Georgia. The officers were familiar with Brown based on his prior contacts with law enforcement and his association with the Gangster Disciples, a well-known violent street gang suspected of being involved in numerous violent and drug-related crimes. The officers were also aware of an outstanding failure to appear arrest warrant for Brown, stemming from an arrest in February 2017 for possessing a firearm as a felon.
Brown ran when he saw the officers and the officers pursued him on foot and by a patrol car. Brown threw away his cellphone and jacket as he ran, but they were later recovered. After a short chase, Brown was apprehended. As the officers took Brown into custody, he stated that he was carrying a gun in his pants. He also asked one of the officers, “can’t you just throw [the firearm] in the bushes? I already have too many charges on me."
In addition to recovering a loaded Taurus Millennium PT145PRO.45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, the officers recovered approximately 26.9 grams of marijuana and a digital scale. A court authorized a search of Brown’s cellphone, which revealed photos of Brown and other suspected gang members as well as a photograph of Brown pointing directly into the camera a firearm with a drum magazine that typically holds approximately 100 rounds of ammunition.
In addition to several misdemeanor convictions, Brown was convicted in 2008 of the felony offense of possession of cocaine in the Superior Court of Floyd County, Georgia. On March 19, 2018, Brown was also convicted in Floyd County, Georgia, of felon in possession of firearm for the February 2017 arrest.
Jermaine Courtney Brown, 28, of Cedartown, Georgia was sentenced Jan. 10, 2019, to three years, one month in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Brown pleaded guilty to the indictment on Sept. 12, 2018, and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Harold L. Murphy.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Cedartown Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzette A. Smikle prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In keeping with the Attorney General’s mission to reduce violent crime, the Northern District of Georgia’s PSN program focuses on prosecuting those individuals who most significantly drive violence in our communities, and supports and fosters partnerships between law enforcement and schools, the faith community, and local community leaders to prevent and deter future criminal conduct.
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
