ALBANY - A convicted felon with an extensive criminal history was sentenced to 100 months for possession of a firearm today in federal court, said Charles “Charlie" Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. James T. Parker, 36, of Leary, GA, was sentenced to 100 months, plus three years supervised release, by the Honorable Leslie Gardner. Mr. Parker pled guilty to one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon in September 2018. There is no parole in the federal system.
An Albany Police Department officer responded to a report of a robbery by snatching, and witnesses directed the officer to Mr. Parker. During a lawful search of the defendant, the officer immediately felt a weapon, a Jennings.22 caliber pistol with six rounds of ammunition in the gun. Mr. Parker was previously convicted on Possession of Cocaine and Escape charges in Dougherty County Superior Court in January 2017. The defendant was on probation at the time of the arrest.
“Today’s strong sentence shows that our justice system has zero tolerance for dangerous felons who pick up guns and create havoc in our communities," said Charles “Charlie" Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “I want to applaud the good work of the Albany Police Department, for quickly apprehending a dangerous person, and for their partnership helping making our region safer."
The case was investigated by the Albany Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Crane prosecuted the case for the Government.
Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
