A Columbus man with prior felony convictions was found guilty of illegally possessing a firearm after fleeing law enforcement and entering airport property. Reginald Weeks-Lewis, 29, was convicted on one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon following a one-day trial before U.S. District Judge Clay Land on December 9. He faces up to fifteen years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for February 24, 2026. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court records and statements made at trial, deputies from the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office observed Weeks-Lewis commit a traffic violation while driving on Sidney Simons Boulevard in the early hours of March 1, 2025. After initially pulling over, he made a sudden U-turn onto Armour Road and lost control of his vehicle, which resulted in striking the shoulder and blowing out a tire. As deputies approached, Weeks-Lewis exited the car and fled on foot toward Columbus Municipal Airport, where he climbed the perimeter fence. Deputies later located him lying face down on airport property. A semiautomatic pistol loaded with twelve rounds was found inside his car.
Weeks-Lewis has previous felony convictions in Muscogee County Superior Court for burglary, theft by taking, obstruction, vandalism to a place of worship, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes commented: “Armed repeat felony offenders are seeing their cases make it to the federal prosecutor’s office, where they face steep penalties. It is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm, and our office is working alongside our law enforcement partners to hold these individuals accountable for their crimes.”
Acting ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Davis said: “Our collaboration with local law enforcement and federal agencies is crucial in tackling the issue of gun violence. We will continue to pursue those who violate the law, especially repeat offenders, with the full weight of federal penalties.’”
Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman added: “The Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to our federal partners in order to remove firearms from the hands of those who should not have them. We will continue to ensure that Muscogee County is a safer place to work and live for our citizens.”
The investigation involved cooperation between the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with assistance from the Muscogee County District Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica Hansis prosecuted the case.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a national initiative using Department of Justice resources through Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) programs—to address violent crime and criminal organizations across communities.
