ATLANTA - Matthew Meadows, a convicted felon, has been sentenced to federal prison for possession of a stolen firearm.
“A felon in possession of a firearm presents unnecessary risks to public safety," said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay" Pak. “The illegal possession of firearms is part of the larger cycle of illegal guns that fuels gun violence and victimizes all residents of North Georgia."
“This case reflects the importance of a strong working relationship between federal and local law enforcement agencies," said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Because of the diligence of Gordon County Sheriff Deputies, this violent offender is no longer a threat to the community and because of federal charges he will have to serve his entire sentence in prison."
“I am very satisfied with the conclusion of this joint investigation which resulted in a guilty plea. This conviction will help make Gordon County a safer community, and we are proud of the relationship that we enjoy with our federal colleagues," said Gordon County Sheriff Mitch Ralston.
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges, and other information presented in court: On Nov. 30, 2017, the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report and encountered Meadows, a convicted felon, asleep in a vehicle. A deputy observed two firearms in the defendant’s immediate possession, one of which Meadows stole from a residence. Meadows, who has prior felony convictions for the sale of methamphetamine, burglary, and making terroristic threats, was also in possession of methamphetamine at the time he was arrested.
Matthew Meadows, 32, of Calhoun, Georgia, was sentenced to four years, three months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Meadows pleaded guilty and was convicted of possessing a stolen firearm on Nov. 16, 2018.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan J. Huschka prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
