SAVANNAH, GA: A Savannah man is facing a substantial prison sentence after a federal jury returned a guilty verdict on all five counts against him.
Amari Jermaine Sams, a/k/a/ “Face", 37, of Savannah, was convicted of Conspiracy to Possess With Intent Distribute 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine and a quantity of Cocaine and Marijuana; Possession With Intent to Distribute 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine and a quantity of Cocaine and Marijuana; Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person; Possession of a Stolen Firearm; and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, in U.S. District Court, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
Sams now faces a sentence of 15 years to life in prison, and there is no parole in the federal system.
According to evidence presented at the three-day trial, on the morning of April 22, 2018, Sams and his co-conspirators, Jovonn Brisbon and Hakeem Campbell, led Georgia State Patrol officers on a chase at speeds up to 120 mph in a Ford F-150 stolen from the Savannah Airport. During the pursuit, a stolen Glock. 40 firearm was thrown from the vehicle and later recovered. State troopers forced the vehicle to a stop and apprehended Brisbon and Campbell, and Savannah Police Department officers captured Sams hiding in a creek parallel to I-516. A search of the stolen vehicle yielded approximately 75 grams of methamphetamine, and inside a book bag found next to the vehicle officers found a stolen Springfield XD.45 caliber pistol, approximately 1 pound of marijuana, 29 grams of cocaine, scales and baggies. The occupants had more than $4,000 cash combined.
Brisbon and Campbell previously entered guilty pleas in the case and are awaiting sentencing.
“The game of hide and seek for this defendant is over, and his next stop will be federal prison," said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “I commend the brave law enforcement officers and investigators who safely brought an end to this dangerous crime spree, and the prosecutors who successfully brought this dangerous felon to justice."
“ATF will continue to dedicate federal resources in conjunction with crucial local law enforcement partners to the pursuit of eradicating and forestalling criminal activity in communities we serve," said Beau Kolodka, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Said Chatham County Counter Narcotics Team (CNT) Director Everett Ragan, “Living the fast life caught up to them. I have no doubt a long prison sentence will slow them down."
This case was investigated by ATF and CNT, along with the Savannah Police Department and the Georgia State Patrol. The case was prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Bearden and Frank Pennington.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
