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U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Georgia

A Southwest Georgia resident with a criminal past who broke into a Macon pawn shop in 2023 and stole 62 firearms has pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a firearm and faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

Rontavious Jamal Jackson, 33, of Cordele, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon before U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal on Aug. 13. Jackson faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date will be determined by the Court. There is no parole in the federal system.

“Stolen firearms fuel crime and violence,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Working alongside our law enforcement partners, we are committed to doing everything we can to both prevent illegal firearms from getting into the hands of criminals and hold those responsible for gun trafficking accountable.”

“We take this crime very seriously,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka. “There were 62 firearms on the street, with the strong potential of being sold to or used by other criminals. Stealing firearms is a serious offense which results in significant federal prison time for all those responsible.”

“We can hope this case sends a clear message to convicted felons of the serious consequences of the possession of firearms. I am grateful for the relationship between the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office and our Federal partners to continue to remove these potentially dangerous individuals from our streets,” said Bibb County Sheriff David J. Davis.

“I am incredibly proud of our agency’s efforts and the successful collaboration between our local and federal partners. These stolen weapons could have been used to take innocent lives. Our commitment to protecting our community remains unwavering, and this case is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together,” said Crisp County Sheriff Billy Hancock.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Jackson and another individual were seen on surveillance footage entering the Howard’s Pawn & Jewelry—a federally licensed firearms dealer—at 3:00 a.m. on April 5, 2023, and collecting 62 firearms into garbage bags. There was a large hole smashed in from outside the store and pieces of concrete blocks on the floor inside. On April 12, Crisp County Sheriff’s Office investigators learned from three sources that Jackson had stolen weapons at his Cordele residence. A search warrant was executed that same day, and agents recovered 32 firearms. The firearms matched the serial numbers of the stolen guns. Nine gun price tags were found, along with assorted ammunition, firearm parts and accessories, including ten magazines. The remaining 30 firearms have not been recovered. Jackson has a prior felony conviction; it is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results.

The case was investigated by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Department of Community Supervision (DCS).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joy Odom prosecuted the case for the Government.