A Savannah resident, Charlie Sapp, 58, was found guilty in U.S. District Court for possessing ammunition as a prohibited person after an October 2021 shooting incident. The announcement was made by Tara M. Lyons, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Sapp faces up to 10 years in prison and a period of supervised release following any prison term. Federal law does not allow parole.
During the trial, evidence showed that on October 8, 2021, Sapp pointed a firearm at another individual and pulled the trigger three times. An eyewitness called 911, and officers from the Savannah Police Department arrived within five minutes. They found two 9mm Luger shell casings at the scene. Analysis by an expert with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives determined that these casings qualified as ammunition under federal law and were not manufactured in Georgia. This led to federal charges because Sapp was prohibited from possessing ammunition due to previous felony convictions in Chatham County.
Sapp had previously been tried for this conduct in November 2022 by the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office; however, that trial did not end in a conviction.
ATF Acting ASAC Robert Davis stated, “Our commitment to public safety is unwavering. The prosecution of individuals who unlawfully possess firearms and ammunition is critical in our efforts to reduce gun violence in our communities."
“This is a win for all law enforcement involved,” said Lenny B. Gunther, Savannah Chief of Police. “I would like to especially thank the men and women of the ATF for their hard work and diligence in this case.”
The case falls under Operation Take Back America—a national initiative coordinated by the Department of Justice using resources from its Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN)—aimed at addressing illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime.
This investigation was conducted jointly by the ATF and Savannah Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorney Makeia R. Jonese and Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Bondura prosecuted the case for the United States.
